One of the Auxiliary Bishops of Accra, the Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, has urged Christians to allow the mystery of Christmas to re-orient their love, hope, and understanding of life, warning against excessive attachment to fleeting pleasures and materialism.
He made the call on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, during the Co-Workers Appreciation Day celebration held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka.
Preaching during the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Narh Asare reflected on the Christmas Octave readings from 1 John 2:4–17 and Luke 2:36–40, describing the season as a sacred time when the Church “lingers over the mystery of God made flesh, allowing its meaning to deepen day by day.”
Drawing attention to the Gospel account of the prophetess Anna, the Bishop highlighted her life of prayer, fasting, and perseverance as a model of faithful waiting.
“Anna stands in the temple as a living witness that God’s promises may take time, but they never fail,” Bishop Narh Asare said. “Those who wait in faith are often the first to recognize God’s quiet but decisive action.”
He noted that Anna’s encounter with the Christ Child shows how contemplation naturally leads to mission, as she immediately spoke of Him to all who were awaiting redemption.
Linking the Gospel to the First Letter of John, the Bishop said the Apostle’s warning “Do not love the world or the things of the world” should not be misunderstood as a rejection of creation, but rather a call to resist disordered desires.
“Christmas exposes the emptiness of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life,” he explained. “The child in the manger invites us to loosen our grip on what passes away and cling to what endures.”
Bishop Narh Asare cautioned the faithful against being deceived by the fleeting pleasures often associated with the festive season, noting that unchecked indulgence can lead to spiritual and moral harm.
“We must not be fooled by the passing attractions of this season,” he stressed. “True joy comes from drawing our hearts away from temporary desires and into the enduring love of God who has come to dwell among us.”
The Bishop commended the dedication and service of church co-workers, encouraging them to continue serving not for material reward but in faith and unity, bearing witness to Christ with joy, just as Anna did.
The Co-Workers Appreciation Day brought together the clergy to thank them for their commitment and service to the Church throughout the year.
By: Vanessa Kekeli Yeboah//Newswatchgh.com
