The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, has called on Christians to live out the true meaning of Christmas by expressing their faith through acts of justice, compassion, and service to humanity.
He made the call during the Christmas Day Eucharistic celebration on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, where he delivered a powerful Christmas message on the birth of Christ and its implications for Christian living.
Quoting the prophet Isaiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6), Archbishop Kwofie reminded the faithful that Christmas celebrates the coming of a king whose reign is rooted not in wealth or power, but in love and service.
He noted that while earthly kings adorn themselves with gold and symbols of authority, the King of the universe chose to be born humbly in a manger.
Christ, he said, revealed a radically different kind of kingship, one that feeds the hungry, quenches the thirst of the thirsty, visits the sick and lonely, welcomes strangers, clothes the naked, and embraces the rejected, in line with the Gospel message of Matthew 25.
Reflecting on the Gospel of John (Jn 1:1–18), the Archbishop explained the mystery of the Incarnation, describing Christmas as the moment when the eternal Word took on human flesh and dwelt among us.
He lamented that Christ was rejected by his own people, yet emphasized that those who accepted Him were given the grace to become children of God.
“This adoption into God’s family is a gift of grace,” he said, adding that through Christ, believers receive a new identity and dignity as sons and daughters of God.
Challenging the faithful on how to live out this new identity, Archbishop Kwofie drew attention to the message of John the Baptist during the Advent season, particularly the call to bear “fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk 3:8).
He explained that such fruits are expressed through concrete acts of kindness, fairness, and service, especially towards the vulnerable.
He stressed that access to necessities such as food, water, and clothing is fundamental to human dignity and urged society to be more attentive to those who live daily at the mercy of others.
The Archbishop strongly condemned cheating, exploitation, and abuse of power, describing them as contradictions of authentic Christian living.
He expressed concern that despite repeated exposure to the Gospel, some public officials continue to exploit citizens through extortion and intimidation.
“It is a grave contradiction for agents entrusted with maintaining peace and order to become instruments of fear and injustice,” he said.
He noted that Christmas calls for a change of heart and a commitment to integrity in both public and private life.
Emphasizing the social dimension of faith, Archbishop Kwofie stated that genuine belief in God must translate into efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
True faith, he said, recognizes every human being as a brother or sister and rejects all forms of exploitation.
Archbishop Kwofie drew from the teachings of the Old Testament prophets, particularly Amos, as well as the Epistle of St. James, which teaches that faith without works is dead.
He reiterated that Jesus Himself identified love and service to others as the criteria for final judgment.
Archbishop urged the faithful to allow the “law of love” to guide their interactions and to become instruments of hope by putting smiles on the faces of those who suffer.
By Theresa Kpordzo//Newswatchgh.com
