The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought together some members of Parliament, opinion leaders, religious authorities, traditional rulers, and hundreds of invited guests for its annual #LightTheWorld event, ‘The Miracle of Christmas’, an interfaith musical concert and lighting ceremony that also reaffirmed Ghana’s global reputation as a beacon of peace, tolerance, and shared spiritual heritage.
The event, held under the theme: ‘Experience His Light’, which commenced its 2025 edition of Light the World festivities, blended sacred music, goodwill messages, and reflections from leaders across diverse backgrounds, producing a powerful national call to unity, compassion, humility, and moral leadership rooted in faith.
Presided over by Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church, the gathering featured performances from leading choirs and soloists, including Harmonious Chorale, 100 Voices Project, Abura Ghana Stake Choir from Cape Coast, the Transcendent Choir, Kokui Serlomey, Macedonia Methodist Junior Choir, and others.
Their renditions of hymns, carols, and choral pieces elevated the evening’s spiritual reverence and set the tone for messages focused on gratitude, charity, interfaith harmony, and the enduring light of Jesus Christ.
In her goodwill message, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, delivered an emotionally grounded address that blended humour, personal testimony, national pride, and deep gratitude.
She recounted how, as a newly sworn-in Member of Parliament during the challenges of tidal waves and the Volta River Authority spill in 2021, the Church extended support to her constituency at a critical time.
She explained that her attendance at the event was part of that cycle of gratitude and reciprocity. “I came tonight because gratitude demands action. When people stand with you in your most difficult moments, you show up for them too.”
She also encouraged everyone to revive traditional acts of giving, sharing food with neighbours, caring for those in need, and supporting one another beyond the Christmas season.
In further reflecting on the spirit of the evening, Hon. Gomashie commended the interfaith nature of the event, noting that gatherings like The Miracle of Christmas demonstrate Ghana’s unique ability to bring people of different traditions together in peace and mutual respect.
She observed that the music, prayers, and shared messages of hope were reminders that, regardless of one’s religious background, “we are united by our common desire to see our communities thrive and our nation flourish.”
She highlighted how the humility, kindness, and generosity embodied in the Christmas story mirror the values that sustain Ghanaian society, adding that events of this nature strengthen social cohesion and remind all citizens, leaders and ordinary people alike, of their responsibility to be channels of light in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
Delivering the main spiritual message of the evening, Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran highlighted Christmas as a celebration of the greatest gift ever given; the birth of Jesus Christ.
He reminded the audience that the Savior’s life and mission represent hope, redemption, love, and divine companionship through life’s most difficult challenges.
The message highlighted Christ’s atonement, His role as the Prince of Peace, and the transformative power of gratitude in drawing believers closer to God.
“Even when we are faced with afflictions and tribulations, we can trust in Him because He descended below all things,” he said.
“Christmas invites us to remember the greatest expression of love ever given, the gift of a Savior,” the message declared, urging attendees to see the hand of God in their lives and to recognize Jesus Christ as the source of eternal peace, comfort, healing, and joy.
Elder Ojediran encouraged attendees to embrace forgiveness, kindness, and compassion as core expressions of Christian discipleship.
He also celebrated Ghana’s religious freedom and the interfaith composition of the event, noting the presence of Muslim, Traditional, Presbyterian, Methodist, and other denominational representatives as evidence that “we are all God’s children.”
He further outlined the Church’s Light the World initiative, an annual global invitation to engage in daily acts of kindness throughout December, as a practical way of honoring Christ’s birth and illuminating the world through service.
Representing the Office of the National Chief Imam, Spokesperson, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu brought warm Islamic greetings and praised the Church for more than a decade of friendship and interfaith collaboration.
He described the gathering as a symbol of “unity in diversity” at a time when many parts of the world remain divided by religious tension.
“Ghana is an excellent example of a nation where people of different faiths can meet, sit at the same table, and protect the peace of their country,” he said.
He urged all faith communities to uphold shared virtues such as compassion, love, honesty, ethical consciousness, and service to humanity, values he described as essential for global harmony.
In one of the evening’s most poetic and philosophical contributions, Nii Ahele Nunoo III, Abola Mantse, delivered a powerful reflection that linked African traditional leadership with the humility and spiritual authority of Jesus Christ.
He spoke of chieftaincy as a sacred trust and drew parallels between ancestral responsibilities and the Christian calling to serve the poor, administer justice, and preserve communal harmony.
“The King of Kings arrived not in a palace but in the quiet humility of a manger. This is a wisdom that resonates deeply within the soul of chieftains,” he said.
He praised the Church for its respect for continuing revelation, affirming that African tradition and restored Christianity can walk “hand in hand” in building unified communities grounded in dignity and love.
Hon. Seth Terkper, Special Advisor to the President on the Economy, speaking on behalf of Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, delivered a civic reflection on leadership anchored in moral values.
He described public service as a calling shaped by humility, compassion, honesty, and faith. “Leadership without faith becomes mechanical. Leadership with faith becomes purposeful. Authority is not a license to dominate, but a responsibility to uplift,” he said.
He noted that the values celebrated at such interfaith gatherings, integrity, kindness, sacrifice, and fairness, are not exclusive to any religion but are shared human principles essential for national progress.
Drawing on the symbolic act of lighting the Christmas tree, he added that “light does not compete with other lights; it empowers them,” urging leaders to exemplify integrity that inspires others and dispels societal darkness.
The evening concluded with a ceremonial transition to the courtyard, where the Church leaders, dignitaries, religious figures, and invited guests switched on the Christmas lights.
The illumination symbolized Christ’s light, the unity of Ghana’s diverse faith traditions, and the shared hope for peace and goodwill in the coming year.
