Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, First Counsellor in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told a large interfaith audience on Saturday that the birth of Jesus Christ remains “the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind” – a divine present intended to save souls, inspire love, and offer unbreakable hope in times of trial.
Speaking at the annual Christmas Devotional and “Light the World” concert held at the Christiansborg Stake Centre in Accra, Elder Ojediran reminded worshippers that the infant born in Bethlehem came as a gift from Heavenly Father “to redeem us, to save the world, and to show us the way back to Him.”
“Even when we are faced with difficulties, challenges, tribulations and afflictions, we can trust in Him,” he said. “He descended below all things and rose above all things. All power in heaven and on earth has been given unto Him. As we rely on Him and come unto Him, He can and will help us.”
The evening deliberately brought together people of many faiths. Muslim imams in flowing robes sat beside Presbyterian and Methodist choir members in crisp uniforms; traditional rulers wearing kente and gold ornaments shared the stand with Catholic priests and Pentecostal pastors. Choirs from several denominations joined Latter-day Saint musicians in performing sacred carols and original African gospel arrangements.
Elder Ojediran hailed the gathering as visible proof that “we are all God’s children.”
“We may have different doctrines and different ways of worship,” he noted, “but it is the same God who is our Heavenly Father. Tonight we have shown we are one family.”
He described the concert as a cherished tradition across the Church’s Africa West Area, designed each December to “usher in the celebration of the Saviour’s birth through music that softens hearts and prayer that lifts spirits.”
Turning to the practical discipleship, the Nigerian-born leader urged the audience to make Christmas a season of active love and forgiveness.
“If anybody has wronged or offended you, this is the time to forgive,” he said. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. Let us be kinder, more forgiving, and reach out to every person, regardless of their faith.”
He praised Ghana’s long-standing culture of religious freedom, saying the presence of so many traditions under one roof was “a beautiful demonstration of the liberty we enjoy to worship according to the dictates of our own conscience.”
The devotional concluded with the ceremonial lighting of thousands of Christmas lights on the temple grounds outside, followed by a mass choir rendition of “Joy to the World” that prompted the entire congregation – Christian, Muslim and traditional believers alike – to rise in prolonged applause.
For the hundreds who attended and the many more who watched the live broadcast across West Africa, Elder Ojediran’s core message was simple yet profound: because Heavenly Father gave His Son, hope is never seasonal, love is never optional, and every soul, without exception, is worth saving.
