Christmas Day Gospel Reflections: Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

 

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the Night)

A loving mother and father who experience the birth of their first child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene. Though great mystery surrounds Jesus’ conception within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly her Son. Saint Joseph, knowing he was not this Child’s biological father, made a profound act of faith by accepting that fatherly responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel of the Lord. Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph’s commitment to being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving and devoted father would make.

As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the humility with which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a place where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their home to register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might conclude that the physical environment, most likely a cave, was unfortunate. However, we can be certain that this humble and poor setting was part of God’s divine plan, adding to the glory of that night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to reveal to us the true greatness of love.

The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a feeding trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus’ birth. No glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love. The love in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of Saint Joseph, and the Incarnate presence of the Son of God were everything needed to make that night glorious.

One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is that the beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not dependent upon how much money or how many material possessions we have, but rather on the purity of our love. The Holy Family’s hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not because of their surroundings, but because of their intimate union with God in the person of Jesus Christ.

The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty sheds light on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace of God. The Holy Family’s witness reveals to us that when we place our hearts in God’s hands, we will be filled with all we need.

Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble scene. As you do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing, and He was adored with the greatest affection of His mother and foster father. Mary and Joseph’s hearts contained all that was necessary for profound gratitude and fulfillment. If you struggle with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy Family and seek to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate Lord fills you with all you need.

My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.

Resignation and appointment of The Bishop of Jasikan (Ghana)

 

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Jasikan, Ghana, presented by His Excellency Msgr. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante.

The Holy Father has appointed as Bishop of Jasikan (Ghana), the Rev. Fr. Simon Kofi Appiah, currently a lecturer in the Department of Religion and Human Values ​​at the University of Cape Coast.

Curriculum Vitae

Bishop Simon Kofi Appiah was born on July 1, 1964, in Teteman, Ghana. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at St. Peter's Regional Seminary in Pedu, Cape Coast, Ghana.

He was ordained a priest for the then Diocese of Keta Ho on July 21, 1990. Upon the creation of the new Diocese of Jasikan in 1994, he was incardinated in it.

He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Parish Vicar at the Communities of Kpedze, Vakpo and Kadjebi (1990-1995); Studies at the University of Tübingen , Germany (1995-2001); Doctorate in Theological Ethics; Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of London ; Diploma in Teaching Higher Education at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi (Kenya); Formator at St. Patrick Formation House (1999-2001); Diocesan Chancellor and Director of the Diocesan Office for the Pastoral Care of Vocations (2001-2003); Pastoral Collaborator at the Parish of Kadjebi (2003-2011).

Since 2011 he has been a lecturer in the Department of Religion and Human Values ​​at the University of Cape Coast and at the Major Seminary in Pedu.

Source: Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Pope Accepts Bishop Mante’s Resignation, Names UCC Lecturer To Lead Jasikan Diocese

 

The Vatican has announced the resignation of the Bishop of Jasikan, Most Reverend Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, and the appointment of Reverend Simon Kofi Appiah as his successor.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Holy See through Agenzia Fides, it said Pope Leo XIV had accepted Bishop Mante’s resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Jasikan.

At the same time, the Pope appointed Reverend Appiah, who until now was a lecturer at the Department of Religion and Human Values of the University of Cape Coast, as the new Bishop of Jasikan.

Reverend Appiah is a priest of the Diocese of Jasikan with extensive academic and pastoral experience. He was born on July 1, 1964, in Teteman and undertook his philosophical and theological formation at Saint Peter’s Regional Seminary in Pedu, Cape Coast. He was ordained a priest on July 21, 1990, for the then Diocese of Keta Ho and was later incardinated into the Diocese of Jasikan following its creation in 1994.

His early pastoral ministry included service as a parish vicar in the communities of Kpedze, Vakpo and Kadjebi between 1990 and 1995. He later pursued advanced studies in Europe, attending the Universität Tübingen in Germany from 1995 to 2001, where he obtained a doctorate in theological ethics. He also earned a postgraduate diploma in psychology from the University of London and a diploma in teaching higher education from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

Upon returning to Ghana, Reverend Appiah served in several key diocesan roles, including formator at the Saint Patrick Formation House, diocesan chancellor and director of the diocesan Office for the Pastoral Care of Vocations. He also worked as a pastoral collaborator in the parish of Kadjebi for several years.

Since 2011, he has been a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and at the major seminary in Pedu, contributing to the formation of future clergy and the academic study of religion and ethics in Ghana.

His appointment as Bishop of Jasikan places him at the helm of a diocese located in the Oti Region, where he is expected to build on his pastoral experience and academic background to lead the local Catholic community.

Source: Graphic Online

Fourth Sunday of Advent: This Is How His Birth Came About

READINGS AT MASS

Isa. 7:10-14

Psalm 24

Romans 1:1-7

Mtt. 1:18-24

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today is the last Sunday of Advent and the last Sunday before Christmas. Our Gospel text this morning begins with the statement: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. However, instead of beautiful events leading to these wonderful moments in history, we heard of strange events that nearly broke a family.

Mary, betrothed to Joseph, became pregnant before they came together. Joseph considered leaving her. Suddenly, a family was on the verge of collapse. Thank God for Joseph's contemplative temperament. He paused to sleep on the whole issue.

God's penetration of the human situation and history can sometimes be chaotic and confusing. We need to learn to pause and sleep on seemingly heartbreaking issues before taking action, because they can sometimes be the very footprints of God.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us take some time to also contemplate, especially the chaos and misunderstandings in our lives and around us that threaten our peace and harmony.

PRAYER

Almighty God, grant me the grace to be able to pause and contemplate on seemingly heartbreaking situations before making a decision. Amen.

May God bless you.

Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, December 21, 2025.

St. Peter Parish, Vakpo.

Sunday Gospel Reflection: Repentance - The Foundation of Holiness

“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12

This passage comes just before Jesus is baptized and begins His public ministry. John the Baptist had been ministering in the desert of Judea, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Many came to him to be baptized with a baptism of repentance. But when John saw many scribes and Pharisees coming to him, he said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” The passage above is John’s warning to them - and to us - about what will happen if we fail to repent.

At that time, when wheat was harvested, it was left to dry. Then, a winnowing fan was used to blow the wheat and chaff into the air. The lighter chaff would blow away, while the grains of wheat would fall to the ground to be gathered, milled into flour, and used for baking. John uses this familiar image to depict what Jesus will do with the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are like the grains of wheat that will be gathered and brought to Heaven. The wicked are like the chaff that, once separated from the righteous, will burn in the unquenchable fire of hell.

Though it is comforting to speak of the glories of Heaven and to anticipate being brought there by our Lord, it is necessary to also consider the reality of the unquenchable fires of hell. Pondering the reality of those unquenchable fires is something we should not neglect.

In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola presents a format for a thirty-day directed silent retreat, considered by many to be the ideal retreat experience. During the first week of that retreat, the retreatant focuses primarily upon mortal sin and its consequences - the unquenchable fires of hell. Why would Saint Ignatius begin his retreat this way? Because he understood that the foundation of our growth in union with God is repentance, and repentance requires an honest and thorough examination of sin and its consequences.

Reflect today on the unquenchable fires of hell, and allow yourself to foster a burning desire to flee from every sin that leads to that end. As we enter the second week of the penitential season of Advent, ponder this warning from Saint John the Baptist. Hear him speak those words directly to you. We must fear sin and avoid it, as much as we want to avoid the unquenchable fires of hell. Start with this foundational truth, so that having fostered deep repentance, you are ready to turn your heart and mind toward the glorious promise of Heaven.

Jesus, our Just Judge, You hold the winnowing fan in Your sacred hand and separate the righteous from the sinner. Please grant me the grace to see my sin clearly, so that I may humbly acknowledge it and turn from it with all my might. May I build this foundation of repentance during Advent, so that Christmas becomes an even greater time of union with You. Jesus, I trust in You.