GNOMIC CHRISTMAS 2020

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ISSUE 15

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ike a star, its light may flicker faintly at times. But again, like a star, it’s influence may be felt far and wide through distance and time.

The account of the Magi’s visit in Matthew 2 is, to me, a story of great hope. Can you imagine the emotions of those wise men when they saw the star rising in the east?

I can just picture the initial confusionafter all, stars don’t appear everyday. Then the growing excitement as it became apparent that the star was a herald of the best news- A King has been born! And not just any king, but One worth a long, tiring journey; One worth rare and expensive gifts; One worthy of their worship.

The Hope of a worthy King brought them to humble Bethlehem. And that hope was represented by the star that rose as a beacon, calling to all- Come, behold, the Lamb of God, The Bread of Heaven, The Balm of Gilead. Come you hungry, come you thirsty, Come!

I find it interesting that Paul compares us to stars, shining in the darkness of the world. And guess what Jesus called

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GNOMIC MAGAZINE A CHRISTIAN YOUTH MAGAZINE

Hark!

us- lights of the world. If I asked you to name the luminary bodies I’m sure your first answer would be the Sun- which guess what- is also a star. We are called to be relevant in this world by being heralds of a hope that is beyond this world.

GNOMIC ACCRA

Editor-In-Chief | EMMANUELLA AGYEMAN Content Head | SYLVIA ASARE-DANSO Publicity Head | REUBEN ODAI LARYEA Finance & Marketing Head | CHERYL LAMPTEY Creative Head | FRANK AYUGANE Faith Correspondent | DERRICK NYARKO AMOAKO Special Board Member | NANA KWAME BROWN

This edition is about hope, the hope that was made real by the birth of Jesus. It's not a hope that leaves us twiddling our thumbs staring at the sky, but one that drives us towards action in this world knowing with certainty that eternity is ours. We put the highlight on a few stars of our world and as we see them shining so fearlessly for God, we know we will gain the courage to do the same.

GNOMIC CAPE-COAST Editor-In-Chief | YINLOGRE ATONGO Content Head | AMA ASARE BOATENG Publicity Head | ERNEST AMOAH Creative Head | KWAKU BOAKYE GYAMFI Special Board Menber | SHOLA MAKINDE Publisher | JOHN A. TURKSON PORTIA N. Y. SINTIM KWASI KYEI-OFFEI PRISCILLA KYEIBAFFOUR UFUOMA MAMOH KOBINA ESSILFIE-QUAYE MAAME ADWOA OWUSU-KONADU ALBERT IDLAFF OFORI

One more thing about the Magi- after they visited and worshipped the infant Jesus, they did not leave the same way they came. My hope is that you don’t either.

CONNECT WITH US /theGnomicMag /gnomic_magazine /gnomic_magazine +233 (0)55 8033 725 feedback.gnomic@gmail.com

Ella tuffour

Emmanuella Tuffour EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ACCRA

Gnomic Magazine Accra, Ghana DEC 2020

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CURRENT NEWS, FAITH AND CULTURE

ELECTION 2020, GHANA Over 17 million Ghanaians registered to participate in the December 2020 general elections. The polls were keenly watched especially in the presidential race that pit incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo against former president John Dramani Mahama.

The voting process ended relatively peacefully till the collation process where the main opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC; has alleged massive irregularities costing them a parliamentary majority. The party is also contesting the presidential outcome.

According to official results by the Electoral Commission, EC; president Akufo-Addo emerged winner of the vote with over 51% of valid votes cast. All things being equal, he will be serving his second and final term as president.

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PRESIDENTIAL OUTCOME ATTRACTS CONTROVERSY Two days after the vote, December 9; the EC led

by Jean Mensah declared the sitting president as the winner of the election, the announcement was strongly protested by the NDC, accusing the EC of refusing to address some key concerns that they had raised. The final results were as follows: Total registered voters: 17,027,941 Total votes cast: 13,432,857 Total valid votes cast: 13,119,460 President Akufo-Addo: 6,730,587 (51.3%) Ex-president Mahama: 6,213,182 (47.3%) The above statistics are however an amended declaration after the EC admitted quoting inaccurate figures on December 9. The new statement noted that the EC chair ‘inadvertently’ used total votes cast instead of total valid votes cast to make her earlier declaration.

“This does not change the percentages slated for each candidate and the declaration made by the Chairperson,” an EC statement of December 10 clarified.

PARLIAMENTARY OUTCOME Barely hours after the close of polls, the NDC called a press conference and announced that it had won 140 seats in parliament by their own projections. The now-famous ‘flipped’ constituencies presser meant that the party was projecting a majority of seats in the legislature. Whiles the NPP admitted making a poor showing in the parliamentary race, it also insisted that at worst, it will take a slim majority in the legislature per its own computation.

Eventually, when the EC posted official results, the NDC’s tally was put at 136 as against the NPP’s

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137. One independent candidate secured a seat (Fomena) whiles one result remained inconclusive (Sene North). The NDC was declared winners of the seat after a courtordered recount. The sole independent candidate, a former member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP; has reportedly rejoined the party; signaling that the party now has 138 seats - technically a majority in the 275 seat parliament.

Analysts had earlier on projected the likelihood of Ghana having an oppositioncontrolled legislature for the first time under the 1992 constitution. One school of thought averred that it will make the work of the executive extremely difficult while others saw it as an avenue for increased cooperation and compromise between the two key arms of the government machinery.

TO GO TO COURT OR NOT? The courts are the main avenue for settling electoral disputes. The NDC has signalled that it will challenge particular parliamentary seats it strongly believes it had won. In the case of the presidential vote, the party has yet to give a clear on the redress avenue that it will pursue. But adopting the legal route will not be entirely new in the annals of Ghana’s postelectoral history. In 2012, president AkufoAddo filed an election petition case when he lost polls to John Mahama. A Supreme Court panel ruled in favour of the then-president but made categorical orders for electoral reforms.

The NDC has also vowed nationwide protests which the police have warned remain illegal insofar as the necessary procedures are not followed in line with the public order act.

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COVID-19 VACCINES Vaccines have been a great aid in the fight against diseases. Over the centuries, many vaccines have been developed to combat diseases which otherwise would have wiped away many from the surface of the earth. Historically, the vaccine against measles was developed relatively rapidly: taking only 10 years from the discovery of the pathogen to the development of the vaccine. However for some diseases such as typhoid, it took more than a century! There are yet still diseases whose pathogens have been known for over a century whose vaccines have not yet been found.

several successful vaccines have already been announced and approved for use in some countries.

A vaccine is a product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease.

The immune system acts as the body’s defense system against diseases.

Vaccines go through many stages before they are approved for use. • Preclinical testing: Scientists test a new vaccine on cells and then give it to animals such as mice or monkeys to see if it produces an immune response.

It is therefore extraordinary, the speed at which the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed. The development of COVID-19 vaccines has been much faster than that of any other disease. In less than a year,

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• Phase 1 Safety Trials: Scientists give the vaccine to a small number of people to test safety and dosage, as well as to confirm that it stimulates the immune system.

BioNTech partnered with Pfizer in March to scale up the research, launching a clinical trial in May. They found that the vaccine caused volunteers to produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, as well as immune cells called T cells that respond to the virus. On July 27, the companies announced the launch of a Phase 2/3 trial with 30,000 volunteers in the United States and other countries including Argentina, Brazil, and Germany. On Sept.

12, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they would seek to expand their U.S. trial to 44,000 participants.

• Phase 2 Expanded Trials: Scientists give the vaccine to hundreds of people split into groups, such as children and the elderly, to see if the vaccine acts differently in them. These trials further test the vaccine’s safety.

• Phase 3 Efficacy Trials: Scientists give the vaccine to thousands of people and wait to see how many become infected, compared with volunteers who received a placebo (dummy drug). These trials determine how efficient the vaccine is in protecting against the coronavirus.

Phase 3 trials are also large enough to reveal evidence of relatively rare side effects.

Through the summer and into the fall, the world focused more and more of its attention on the Pfizer-BioNTech trial.

In September, Dr. Albert Bourla, the chief executive of Pfizer, said the Phase 3 trial would deliver enough results as soon as October to show if the vaccine worked or not. President Trump touted their progress, hinting that a vaccine would be available before the election.

But on Oct. 27, Dr. Bourla announced that the volunteers in the trial had yet to experience enough cases of Covid-19 to determine if the vaccines work. Finally, on Nov. 8, Pfizer and BioNTech released preliminary analysis of the first 94 cases.

After many months of accelerated work in the development of a vaccine against the ongoing pandemic, New York-based Pfizer and the German company BioNTech made history on November 9, 2020 by presenting preliminary data indicating that their coronavirus vaccine was over 90 percent effective. It was the first time anyone had found such evidence. Just over a month later, on Dec. 11, 2020 the Food and Drug Administration granted it the first emergency use authorization ever given by the United States to a coronavirus vaccine.

Over the next month, Pfizer and BioNTech released more data on more cases. On Dec. 8 the FDA released their independent analysis of the clinical trials.

They determined that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 95 percent. Less than two weeks after the first dose, the vaccine started protecting volunteers, and the second dose three weeks later boosted their immune response. The vaccine showed little difference in its protection of Black, Latino, and white volunteers; likewise, people with conditions such

BioNTech researchers began designing the vaccine in January. They based it on a genetic molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). The vaccine contains genetic instructions for building a coronavirus protein, known as spike. When injected into cells, the vaccine causes them to make spike proteins, which then get released into the body and provoke a response from the

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immune system.

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as obesity or diabetes enjoyed the same level of protection. The elderly also showed the same efficacy rate as people under 65. While the vaccine caused no serious side effects, it frequently caused short-lived fatigue, fever, and muscle aches.

These impressive results led rapidly to authorizations across the world. On Dec. 2, the United Kingdom gave emergency authorization to Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine, becoming the first Western country to give such an approval to a coronavirus vaccine. Injections began on Dec. 8, with William Shakespeare, age 81, among the first to receive a dose. On Dec. 13, workers at a Pfizer plant in Kalamazoo, Mich., loaded the vaccines onto trucks for the first deliveries across the United States. The first vaccinations were planned for the next day. Pfizer and BioNTech will deliver an initial shipment of 2.9 million doses to the United States in the first week after the vaccine’s authorization.

A growing number of other countries across the world have also given emergency authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, including Costa Rica, Kuwait, Mexico, Panama, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Bahrain, Canada and Saudi Arabia gave the vaccine full approval.

The distribution of the vaccine worldwide will be determined in part by deals that the companies made starting in the summer with countries around the world. Pfizer and BioNTech expect to manufacture over 1.3 billion doses worldwide by the end of 2021.

Other companies also in the quest of developing safe, effective vaccines against the virus include Moderna, whose vaccine’s efficacy is known to be about 94.5%, CureVac, AnGes, and Zydus Cadila.

References: 1. Ritchie H, Ortiz-Ospina E, Beltkian D, et al. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations. Our world in Data website. Accessed December 18, 2020. https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations.

2. Zimmer C, Corum J, Wee S-L. Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker. The New York Times website. Updated December 17, 2020. Accessed December 18, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/ coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

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RZIM CONFIRMS RAVI ZACHARIAS’S SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) notified staff, donors, and supporters on Wednesday, December 23, that there is “convincing and credible” evidence that Ravi Zacharias “engaged in sexual misconduct over the course of many years.”

A preliminary report from the law firm hired by RZIM confirms reports from CT, World, and blogger Steve Baughman that international apologist Ravi Zacharias, who died earlier this year, sexually abused numerous women.

The final report is forthcoming, and RZIM has committed to releasing it to the public. The investigators at the law firm Miller & Martin have told the board, however, that many victims have “spoken candidly and with great detail,” confirming the allegations of massage therapists who worked in two Atlanta spas that Zacharias partially owned. The team has uncovered other misconduct as well. The investigation is ongoing and the investigators are continuing to pursue leads.

“We know this news will send all of us, and thousands of others, into grief, confusion, disillusionment, and anger,” wrote Sarah Davis, RZIM’s CEO and Zacharias’s daughter. “We know that you will have many questions, as we all do

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as well.”

Davis also wrote that “We grieve profoundly with those who have suffered from Ravi's sexual misconduct” and asked staff and supporters to pray for them.

RZIM initially denied the allegations, releasing a statement that said “the family and ministry teammates of Ravi Zacharias” did not believe them to be true, because they “do not in any way comport with the man we knew for decades.”

A number of RZIM teammates objected to the statement and said they did believe the women making the allegations.

The announcement follows weeks of increasing pressure from staff inside RZIM voicing criticism of leadership for the way it has protected its founder’s legacy.

The initial reason for the project, White explains in an interview with Christianity Today, is that many women White works with had been abused by men. Courage for Life figured that an audio Bible read by women would be helpful for women with painful experiences attached to men, and were shocked to find that no such audio Bible existed. So they made their own.

The full report of the investigation into Zacharias’s misconduct is expected in January.

Source: Christianity tiday

The Courage for Life Bible was recorded by a group of 12 different women from diverse backgrounds, and White decided to use the New Living Translation for the project. The New Testament was completed last year and Courage for Life just recently completed the Old Testament. You can listen to the whole thing for free via an app — handy since many prisons are starting to offer tablets to inmates.

The First Audio Bible Voiced Entirely By Women Is Here Courage for Life is an organization out to “strengthen, equip and empower the world for Christ” led by a Bible teacher named Ann White.

White has spent a lot of time working in prisons, teaching inmates about the Bible and it was those experiences that helped convince White that it was time for an audio Bible voiced entirely by women.

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There’s a little documentary on the group’s website about the making of the video, which you can watch below.

Source: Courage for life

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e can all agree that 2020 has been a very tough year. It has been unpalatably unique and challenging for many people, if not all of us.

From being stalked by an invisible enemy for which we have little to no defence against, to conflicts of various forms, police brutalities and heightened racial injustices, 2020 has tested our faith on many fronts. Some of us may have lost close relatives, or may have seen at firsthand what devastating effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on life, as we know it. And whenever we’ve asked “why?” in most instances than not, the response has been stark silence.

For close to 400 years God’s people had been suffering through nights like ours. The 400 years between the writing of the Old Testament and the birth of Christ were years of utter silence from God. It seemed His promises had died. Where is the Saviour God promised? Why do we continue to suffer? Why is God so silent?

And then it appeared in the horizon, shining brightly. A star. An unusual star. A star brighter than any previously known to man.

a star!

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“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’ ” Matthew 2:1-2 A star had appeared in the sky to illuminate the path of the wise men as they journeyed to Bethlehem, a star that led them straight to the Saviour of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. A sign of hope that not all was lost but that God’s promises truly do come true in His time, when He has successfully moved heaven and earth to create the perfect time for the fulfilment of His plans. A reminder that hope always pierces the darkness, illuminates the truth, and shines through the darkness of this life.

Phillips Brooks captured the heart of Christmas with one line in the carol he wrote, O Little Town of Bethlehem: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” In the little

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Christian hope looks back at Jesus, through his birth, life and resurrection, in order to look forward. town of Bethlehem, God met the hopes of all humanity by the birth of His Son, Jesus.

God originally created a perfect world, but it was soon marred by Adam and Eve’s sin. The consequence for sin was death, however, even during the darkest day in history, God offered a message of hope, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). God promised that He would send a Saviour who would conquer Satan and deal with the problem of death and suffering.

Jesus came in the flesh as a little baby that first Christmas so that He could bear our punishment at the Cross, and then conquer death by rising from the dead. The first man Adam brought death, suffering, and the Curse into the world through his sin, but the last Adam, Jesus Christ, will do away with those things. Someday we can dwell with Him eternally in a place where “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “And there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3).

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Christmas origin story is that God brought hope to all people, regardless of their background. That included Jews and Gentiles both. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds made that clear.

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:10-11 The “glimmer of hope” that had appeared in the sky on the eve of the birth of Jesus had appeared to Gentiles, “aliens to the commonwealth Israel and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in this world” (Ephesians 2:12, ESV) — very bold, don’t you think? The star the wise men saw was a sign from God designed to alert these Gentiles to an event in Bethlehem that was intended for them as well. Researchers have discovered tablets in Persia dating from Jesus’ day. Those tablets predicted that a great king would be born in the West and justice, righteousness, peace and joy would mark his reign. They even had a name for him, Sosiosh. These men

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were astronomers who searched the sky for signs that would guide them. God provided the ultimate sign, a supernatural star that would lead them to the Baby who came to bring hope to the world. There was hope for the Gentiles who didn’t have the advantage of an Old Testament and its prophecies. Because they were Gentiles and pagans, we might not have invited them to participate in the birth of God’s Son. But, God responded to their hunger for truth. He still responds to spiritual hunger today, and “wise men” still seek Jesus.

hope looks back at Jesus, through his birth, life and resurrection, in order to look forward.

So, forward shall we? It really does get better!

There is a song, I know it well A melody that's never failed On mountains high, in valleys low My soul will rest, my confidence, in You alone Hope has a name, His name is Jesus My Savior's cross has set this sinner free Hope has a name, His name is Jesus Oh, Christ be praised, I have victory There is a light, salvation's flame Christ undefeated, trampled the grave See now the cross, be lifted high The light has come, the light has won, behold the Christ Hope has a name, His name is Jesus

Our world is in a season of waiting even as the pandemic ravages on. We are working from home, practicing social distancing, doing virtual meetings, classes, lessons and more, and no one knows for certain when this season will end. Even as we wait out this long chilly night, hold fast to the hope Christmas presents— the hope that Jesus Christ represents.

There'll be a day my hope complete Now home in glory, Your face I'll see My pain no more, my fear will cease I bow my life, I fix my eyes, on Christ my King

Hope has come! In the form of a baby born in manger, he would live to die to set us free from sin. And as surprising as it was for this hope to sprout out of a virgin’s womb, he would yet arise from the hopeless bowels of death to make his sacrifice complete.

Hope has a name, His name is Jesus My Savior's cross has set this sinner free Hope has a name, His name is Jesus Oh, Christ be praised, I have victory"

Christian hope is not mere optimism based on odds. It is a conscious and deliberate choice to wait for God to bring about a future that is as surprising as a virgin giving birth to a child, or a crucified man rising up from the dead. Christian

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— Recording by River Valley Worship, on the album Million Lifetimes

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hristmas evokes all kinds of emotions.

There is grief of loved ones lost during Christmases past and anxiety about how to handle difficult relationships at family gatherings. There is stress when one has to add yet another item to an ever-expanding holiday to-do list. And there is this sense of wonder when driving or walking through town one gazes upon the Christmas lights and decoration . . . Most of all, though, Christmas inspires hope. The symbols and stories surrounding the birth of Jesus Christer almost whisper, “Don’t give up. Keep going”

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BELIEVE

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Christmas is about believing in things that defy the normal: the Son of God being born to a virgin in manger. This holy season prompts us to become childlike in our faith.

Christmas inspires faith– in God and in His goodness, truth, and beauty that are very real but not always visible.

THE CHRISTMAS STAR It is strange that a group of pagan astrologers would be invited to partake in the joy of the Messiah’s birth. However, this invitation, via a star, was a response to the years they had dedicated in seeking out the Messiah. Perhaps a few of their colleagues had given up along the way in the course of their search. Some still may have brushed pursuit off their pursuit as being a waste of time.

How long do you imagine they searched the night sky for the star? And yes, they were wise to have waited, for they finally it, and ultimately followed its lead to the Saviour’s cradle. This encourages us never to give up. Also that there is hope for anyone who is sincerely searching for God— if really you are sincere, God will find you! Lastly, that is no one – absolutely no one— who is left out of God’s party.

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SAY YES

3.

Perhaps the greatest story of courage ever told was Mary’s three-word response to the angel Gabriel when he explained to her that she would bear the Son of God. “Let it be,” she said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

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PERSIST, IN SPITE OF THE NIGHT

With great humility, she opens herself to God’s will and submits to His plan, even though she knows none of the details. By saying yes, she initiates the Christmas story and the arrival of God into human history. Mary’s response also generates hope for all believers– that by saying yes to God we participate in the Christian story and find meaning that sustains us—relevance.

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Light shines brightest in darkness. That’s the heart of the Christmas story, an overriding message of hope that is articulated beautifully in the lyrics of “O Holy Night”: “O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.” God didn’t come into our world at high noon. He entered our lives in darkness – showing us the way to light, guiding us towards love, and demonstrating how to overcome shadows and blackness.

Christmas teaches us that even when things seem dark, we can trust in God’s everlasting light.

Ebo Ferguson

CONSIDER THE EVERGREEN TREE Evergreens decorate our homes and churches during Christmas, reminding us of the promise of everlasting life and our ability to weather hardship.

The evergreen remains unchanged through the seasons, inspiring a message of hope to persevere through adversity. The Christmas tree is a symbol of Christ, the miracle of Christmas, and God’s gift of life..

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very Christian gets to that point where they begin questioning the existence of God. I think it’s a necessary point in our Christian growth— a time where we push beyond the hand-me-down Christianity that we inherit from our parents and seek God for ourselves. For many people, it can go either way depending on the gravity of the things around us. I remember being much younger, and asking myself this question; it was a foundational moment in my relationship with God and the reason behind so many of my beliefs today.

For one, I think forming a relationship with God is instrumental to answering this question.

Having spoken with Someone, heard Him for yourself, felt His presence and knowing what the absence of His presence feels like, you’re convinced that He’s there always, because His Word says so and He sticks to His Word.

The recent uproar in Nigeria made me realise that so many Nigerians may be sitting there, asking themselves this question. And just as it’s said in Proverbs, there is nothing new under

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the sun. Visit Judges 6:13 with me. [Ps,

I’m not going to quote it because I actually want you to go look for it in a Bible]. Gideon asks a question so many of us ask in our hearts, an honest question. When really bad things happen, it seems like God must be absent someway somehow. I believe many Christians are brought up from childhood with the misunderstanding that if God is truly with us, no evil can befall us. Now this is okay when you’re a cute six year old, but when life starts to happen, you need a new mentality.

Matt 8:23-27 highlights this even better.

A recent video I watched made me see why a lot of us Christians freak out when things go south. Many of us think that because Jesus is in the boat, we have immunity from the storm. God doesn’t promise us a life free from trials and tribulations. Repeatedly, He says to us ‘Do not be afraid’ because He knows that there is a tendency for us to be afraid when life happens.

Isaiah 43:2 puts it plainly:

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"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

is still God. And the best part is, He is always with me, even when I can’t feel it, because it’s just so.

A lot of evil around us is evidence of the fact that God gives man the gift of choice. Looking at recent events in Nigeria, one is tempted to wonder if God is God over Nigeria. But the fact that the leaders choose evil and corruption and people suffer as a consequence does not mean God does not love His people. Christians often ask “if God is indeed God, why do bad things happen to good people?” Well, honey, if bad things only happen to bad people and good things to good people, everyone would be good now, wouldn’t we all? And everyone would choose God because that would mean immunity from bad things. But God wants you to choose Him for Him, not because He will shield you from evil. And many times, bad things happen because we get lazy and we don’t pray! At least we don’t, until stuff starts going south, then we pray for two minutes and start wondering where God is.

It’s not even an ‘if’ statement; it’s a ‘when’ statement because God knows that life won’t always go our way. The Bible says “WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU WILL NOT BE BURNED!” It does not say, you will not get hot and uncomfortable, or that you will not be pushed to your last breath, but that despite all the heat, discomfort and strain, you will not burn.

When bad things happen to me (and I’m actually calm and not going all ballistic) I make a conscious effort to speak out these Bible verses over and over – I put them on my phone wallpaper and status, paste them on the walls of my room or listen to songs with these words at their core. There are certain seasons when you have to mentally convince yourself that God is indeed there. You just have to believe God, because just like He said, He’s not a man that He should lie. Sometimes, you’ve got to say it over and over just so it sinks in – God makes no mistakes!

"

God is not God because He is good to you and He blesses you and all that good stuff. God is God, period! And that won’t change.

God is not God because He is good to you and He blesses you and all that good stuff. God is God, period! And that won’t change. In the pit, He is God. In the fire, He is God. In the storm, He

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Ezekiel 22:30 is a verse that always cuts deep

storm, and not to be afraid when we find Him asleep on the boat. Practice makes perfect – practice now before you have a spouse and kids, practice now before you have loans and debts and bills. Now is the time, because you just might need to be ready by tomorrow. The devil knows how powerful prayer is, don’t let Him convince you for a split second that God isn’t there – when he comes at you with questioning thoughts, be ready to hit back hard with God’s word.

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”

How many times are we found in the gap, doing what actually makes a difference?

And He was looking for someone who stood put, unshaken in the gap, not someone who passed by momentarily. Even Gideon back in Judges 6 was just threshing wheat when the angel of God came and found him. After verse 13 where he asks God what many of us ask, God’s reply shocks me. God isn’t now about to explain why His presence doesn’t guarantee the absence of trials, He tells him to suit up so he can be the answer to his own prayer for Israel, furthermore reminding him that He will be with Him.

Ufuoma Mamoh

In summary, what I’m trying to say is don’t get lazy and pick the easy way out. It’s much easier not to pray until bad things start happening.

It’s much easier to question whether or not God really is than to spend time digging into His word for evidence that He is. Many of us are just nearing the prime of our lives. Our problems are mainly centered on ourselves.

This is the time to learn how to trust in God and understand that He is with us in the

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The night love came down, Through a wondrous birth, set in a little insignificant town In the fullness of time A virgin conceived; a mystery indeed Love came down – God became man The night love came down, His cries echoed through the night Announcing to the world that He is our light A king, yet swaddled in ordinary clothes A king, yet no earthly crown or throne to call his own His name is Wonderful Counselor He's God's love gift to man, our Lord and our Saviour

Esther Owusuaa Addo

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I

t’s been a long year. We’re physically tired, and we’re emotionally tired. Months of pain, loss, and uncertainty have drained us. We long for this pandemic to end and for justice and peace to prevail.

Our weary souls ache for rest.

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The book of Ruth is perfect for this moment.

It shows us where we can find—even in the midst of today’s turmoil—deep rest for our souls.

RUTH’S WEARINESS

The story begins with a woman named Naomi, who lives with her husband and two sons in Bethlehem. One day there’s a famine in the land, which is ironic, because Bethlehem means “city of bread.” Because of the famine, Naomi and her family move to Moab, historically an enemy of Israel.

Eventually her sons both marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Sadly, after about 10 years, Naomi’s husband and sons die.

There’s a lot we can relate to. Maybe, like Naomi and Ruth, you’ve experienced the tragic loss of a loved one. Maybe you’ve lost your livelihood from the economic impact of COVID-19. Maybe you recently moved because of what was happening around you.

The story continues. Having lost everything in Moab, Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem when they hear the famine has ended. But in the ancient world, there weren’t many ways for women to provide for themselves. They arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest, and Ruth is able to glean in the fields of their relative Boaz, who turns out to be generous toward them.

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But when the harvest ends, Naomi and Ruth are back where they started, in the same poverty they’ve been trying to overcome for 10 years.

Imagine how demoralizing that must have felt! Ruth is a young woman whose husband recently died. She’s in unfamiliar territory, literally. She’s alone, except for her one roommate, Naomi, and they have no way to meet their daily needs.

They must have felt so weary.

RUTH SEEKS REST

Naomi asks Ruth, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” (Ruth 3:1; cf. 1:8–9).

Naomi has a plan for how to attain this rest. Having seen Boaz’s generosity, she hopes he will provide the rest they need. It turns out he is “a redeemer” (a close relative who can provide), so Naomi tells Ruth to propose marriage to him.

Boaz accepts, but he first needs to ask permission from the “redeemer nearer” than he (Ruth 3:12). As a demonstration of his devotion to Ruth and perhaps even as a sort of pledge, Boaz sends off Ruth with a gift. He gives her six measures of barley, which might have been as much as 95 pounds.

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When Ruth returns home, Naomi affirms her faith in Boaz. She tells Ruth to wait. And the word used conveys the sense not only of waiting, but a worryfree attitude as she waits. Amid uncertainty, Ruth and Naomi wait for their redeemer to “settle the matter” and bring them rest (Ruth 3:18).

The book of Ruth shows us that deep soul rest is possible even now if we, like Ruth, wait for the day of our redemption, trusting our redeemer to finish what he started.

This part of the book of Ruth aptly describes the period in which we live our entire lives.

Just as Boaz pledges to redeem Ruth, so God has promised to redeem us. In fact, Jesus secured our redemption on the cross. And just as Boaz sent Ruth away with a gift and pledge, so Jesus has sent us his Holy Spirit as a pledge (Eph. 1:14). But just as Ruth awaited final resolution, we still await the day when God will give complete rest.

Our world is filled with all forms of unrest—sickness and death, injustice, volatility, loneliness, conflict.

But the book of Ruth shows us that deep soul rest is possible even now if we, like Ruth, await the day of our redemption, trusting our redeemer to finish what he started.

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RUTH RECEIVES REST

Boaz meets with the other relative who says he cannot redeem Ruth, “lest I impair my own inheritance” (4:5). So, Boaz redeems Ruth through a costly marriage, and Ruth gives birth to a child in Bethlehem. The baby’s name is Obed, which comes from the Hebrew word “to serve.” The women of Bethlehem say to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age” (Ruth 4:14–15).

Generations later, the women’s prayers were answered. This son was the grandfather of King David (4:22), who secured rest for Israel against her enemies. And the ultimate answer to their prayer came a thousand years later, when another son was born to another poor woman traveling to Bethlehem.

This child was from the line of Ruth and David.

And as he was about to be born, a priest in Israel named Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:67–68).

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CHRIST, OUR REST

Jesus Christ is the promised redeemer, the true Servant of the Lord, whose costly marriage to his people—a marriage that cost him his life— restores our life and brings us rest. He gives us rest from our sin and striving, and he welcomes us into the security of his family.

Jesus Christ is the promised redeemer, the true Servant of the Lord, whose costly marriage to his people—a marriage that cost him his life— restores our life and brings us rest.

One day he will also remove every trial from our lives. He will transform our weak and weary bodies into new, glorious bodies. He will satisfy all our deepest needs and desires.

If you trust in him, you can experience rest even now. If you place your confidence not in your own ability to control your life, but in this Redeemer—if you seek peace not in your circumstances, but in this Redeemer—then you can sleep at night no matter what the day ahead has in store, because your Redeemer has given you rest.

The book of Ruth shows us that deep soul rest is possible even now if we, like Ruth, wait for the day of our redemption, trusting our redeemer to finish what he started.

David Schuman, TGC

As the psalmist says, “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you” (Ps. 116:7).

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INTERVIEW

DR YAW PERBI

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day, some 2000 years ago, there became a tangible manifestation of the blessing God long ago promised us, the blessing of a saviour.

This is the day we call Christmas.

December 25, may not be the actual day that Christ was born, but the fact that God came to earth to die for us is indeed worth celebrating.

This is a season to remind us that God loves us, that He didn't leave us to wallow in the consequences of our sins, but made the way for us to be saved.

Yes, our kinsman redeemer has come, therefore let's rejoice and tell everyone about it.

Frimpong

Lily Owusu

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ope and Christmas are linked.

Before Christ was born and before He eventually died to save us,we were deadin our trespases and sins. We were actually hopeless.

The birth of Christ was the beginning of the whole process of God bringing us a new hope as Christians which we look forward to

Tawiah

Samuel

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C

hristmas, to me, has always been more than a continuum of celebrations and merry making as we all love to see it.

I chose to think of Christmas from the angle of a rebirth, renewal of minds and growth, in that order. Year by year as the Yuletide approaches, we are reminded of who Jesus is, what He stands for and how we ought to receive Him,our King and Messiah.

We celebrate because He is the reason for the season and there’s more we can tap from His whole being going forward.

This year, although the fun element cannot be overlooked, I look forward to getting a bigger perspective of the One who was born in a manger and died on the tree for humanity

Akomea-Marfo

Juliana

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ersonally one thing stands out with regards to Christmas and hope- the gift of Jesus. The fact that God chose to give Jesus to us in our darkest times especially when we didn’t ask for Him, gives me hope that in spite of whatever trials and situations I may face there is still a God who cares and is willing to extend His helping hand..that feeling is very nice honestly

Mantey

Jeffrey

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FEATURED

a titanic story

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the deck yelling "Women, children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" It was only minutes later that the Titanic began to rumble deep within. Most people thought it was an explosion; actually the gargantuan ship was literally breaking in half. At this point, many people jumped off the decks and into the icy, dark waters below. John Harper was one of these people

W

e all know the story of the Titanic, how on April 14, 1912 an iceberg scraped the ships’s starboard side, ripping open six watertight compartments and leading to the death of over 1500 people.

That night 1528 people went into the frigid waters. John Harper was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal.

Mr. Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. Rev. Harper asked him between breaths, "Are you saved?"

The young man replied that he was not.

On board the ship that night was John Harper and his much-beloved six-year-old daughter Nana. According to documented reports, as soon as it was apparent that the ship was going to sink, John Harper immediately took his daughter to a lifeboat. It is reasonable to assume that this widowed preacher could have easily gotten on board this boat to safety; however, it never seems to have crossed his mind. He bent down and kissed his precious little girl; looking into her eyes he told her that she would see him again someday. The flares going off in the dark sky above reflected the tears on his face as he turned and headed towards the crowd of desperate humanity on the sinking ocean liner. As the rear of the huge ship began to lurch upwards, it was reported that Harper was seen making his way up

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Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man who was near shock, reply no. John Harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man and said "Here then, you need this more than I do..." and swam away to other people. A few minutes later Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. Of the 1528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats. One of them was this young man on the debris. Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how John Harper had

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led him to Christ. Mr. Harper had tried to swim back to help other people, yet because of the intense cold, had grown too weak to swim.

His last words before going under in the frigid waters were "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Does Hollywood remember this man? No. Oh well, no matter.

This servant of God did what he had to do. While other people were trying to buy their way onto the lifeboats and selfishly trying to save their own lives, John Harper gave up his life so that others could be saved.

John Harper knew what it meant to live life with urgency, and purpose. And he was very well convinced about the hope he possessed. It is this hope that drives us to the edge. It is only when this hope fuels our pursuit of relevance would we make meaningful impact. This hope.

In Christ, our hope does not sink. Even in its sinking, we aren’t hopeless. It is for this that Christ is born in Bethlehem this Christmas—to give us a hope and a future.

Sources for this article: "The Titanic’s Last Hero" by Moody Press 1997,

Ebo Ferguson If the dead aren’t raised up, that would mean that Christ has not been raised up either. And if Christ is not alive, you are still lost in your sins and your faith is a fantasy. It would also mean that those believers in Christ who have passed away[l] have simply perished. If the only benefit of our hope in Christ is limited to this life on earth, we deserve to be pitied more than all others!

1 Corinthians 15:16-19

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set us as lights that put the devil to fright One man chose not to give up the fight but fulfilled his God-given commission,dying for us all without omission That we may live our lives as he did his,living for others even to the point of death Let’s remember the reason for this appointed season and the one who defied all odds to put the odds in our favour One man did change the world and God is looking to us to change our world no matter our manger

What does Christmas mean to you?

Is it a time to make merry and settle costs later?

Is it a time to try your luck with new sales pitches to make a buck?

Or is it the time to be with family and friends to celebrate and reminisce about the year As a Christ-ian,what does Christ-mas mean to you?

Do you understand the reason for the season?

Or are you about following the crowd and painting the city red Don’t forget that one thing that the devil dreads That the word of God came in the flesh to start us off afresh And that his blood leaves the devil confounded,confused and impounded Who would have thought that a baby born in a manger could be that Lone Ranger to turn the world upside down And that the light which appeared that starry night could appear to us all and

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Ra-ida Koray

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Long ago, in the beginning of time, The Creator promised his creation a saviour His name is Jesus, Emmanuel He is the Word, our Manual He is God the Son, And with the Father, and the Spirit, form the Trinity Linked together like a tributary Doing wonderful things full of mystery His birth was heralded by an angelic visitation Manifesting in a virgin's conception The earthly father went into deliberation Take this son or not? Such was his confusion Even so, the bearer of the saviour Didn’t entirely comprehend His true nature, that He is greater The people anticipated a king who will be their deliverer Not a kid delivered in a manger That holy night, the stars were brightly shinning As wise men travelled from the east To Bethlehem, to see our high priest; The one whose birth commenced a war and a feast They stood there; hearts full of gold, frankincense and myrrh They were in his presence to present their presents, To worship the King with their substance Revealed long ago to the Prophet Isaiah The evidence stood that the Master is not a liar His promises are true, and so when the time is due, He will certainly come through.

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O

ne of the things that makes Christmas such a memorable time of year is the music. The same songs, year after year, get stuck in our heads and we can often recite the words without even thinking about it. Many of the carols we sing have a rich theological tradition, and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!� is no exception. It was written by Charles Wesley, who was an English Methodist leader and hymn writer. Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns, more than any other male writer (Fanny Crosby wrote 8,000).

His goal in writing hymns was to teach the poor and

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Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem: Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.

illiterate sound doctrine. His brother, John Wesley, a famous theologian and founder of Methodism, said that Charles’ hymnal was the best theological book in existence. Some have noted that Methodism was born in song and Charles was the chief songwriter.

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb!

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,

Wesley, inspired by the sounds of London church bells while walking to church on Christmas Day, wrote the “Hark” poem about a year after his conversion to be read on Christmas Day. The poem first appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739 with the opening line of “Hark, how

Hail the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel: Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.

the welkin (heaven) rings.”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings; Mild, he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth: Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.

In 1753, George Whitefield, a student and eventual colleague of Wesley’s, adapted the poem into the song we now know today. It was Whitefield who penned the phrase “newborn King.”

The first stanza describes the good news of the saviour’s birth. God has sent the One who will reconcile the sinner back to Himself. Therefore, all the nations should rise and sing and proclaim the good news, which is Christ the King! The next stanza speaks to the mysticism of Christ’s coming and the good news in it. The final stanza tells of the accomplishment of Christ and the power that it brings.

For well over two hundred years, “Hark!

The Herald Angels Sing” has been a Gospel-saturated anthem pointing people to the Saviour.

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This time of the year, our entire culture stops what it is doing and is compelled to turn its gaze toward a baby in a manger, a newborn King. As you sing carols this Christmas, take the time to think about the message of the songs and what they mean. Consider the words you are singing and the truths they proclaim about the Saviour you are worshiping.

As we do so, we can all join Wesley in saying,

“Glory to the newborn King!”

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TECHNOW

AMAZING QUALITY, BUT IS IT WORTH THE PRICE?

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pple announced on December 8, the release of the AirPods Max, innovative wireless headphones that bring the magic of AirPods to an over-ear design with high-fidelity sound. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. AirPods Max come in five gorgeous colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, with availability

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beginning December 15.

The initial reaction was almost exactly the same wherever you looked: ‘Wow, these things are expensive’. At $549 (about, GHc3,236), the AirPods Max seemed outlandishly pricey, even for Apple’s admittedly high standards. And while the price remains very high for what are still consumer headphones, as opposed to studio headphones used by professionals that can easily set you back $1,000+, the initial outrage quickly made way for another reaction: ‘What if these things are so good that the price is justified’?

The over-ear headphone has been completely reimagined. From cushion to canopy, AirPods Max is designed for an uncompromising fit that creates the optimal acoustic seal for many different head shapes, fully immersing you in every sound. The canopy spanning the headband is made from a breathable knit mesh, distributing weight to reduce on‑head pressure.

The stainless steel frame is wrapped with a soft-to-the-touch material for a remarkable combination of strength, flexibility, and comfort. Its telescoping arms smoothly extend and stay where you set them, for a consistent fit and seal. The beautifully anodized aluminum cups feature a revolutionary mechanism that allows each cup to

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rotate independently and a customdesigned mesh textile wraps the ear cushions to provide pillow-like softness while listening.

Craftedwith acousticallyengineered memory foam, the ear cushions gently create an immersive seal that is the foundation of incredible sound. The Digital Crown lets you precisely control volume, skip between tracks, answer phone calls, and activate Siri.

AirPods Max combines high-fidelity audio with industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation to deliver an unparalleled listening experience.

Each part of their custom-built driver works to produce sound with ultra-low distortion across the audible range. From deep, rich bass to accurate mids and crisp, clean highs, you’ll hear every note with a new sense of clarity.

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FOOD

INGREDIENTS

for 6 servings

2 large onions, roughly chopped ⅓ cup vegetable oil, plus 2 tablespoons, divided (80 mL) 14 oz diced tomato, 2 cans (395 g) 6 oz tomato paste, 1 can (170 g) 1 habanero pepper 2 teaspoons curry powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon mixed dried herbs 3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed

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Jollof is one of my favourite dishes. The special combination of rice and stew makes a dish you simply cannot resist, at least when done the Ghanaian way. The sight of it is enough to make your mouth water! The aroma is an overkill— you would simply need to get some at all cost. I really love jollof rice.

Jollof is prepared in Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Gambia, Benin, Sierra Leone, Cote D'ivoire, Togo, Liberia and Mali.

There are some differences in the methods of preparation and the ingredients used, but rice, tomatoes, onions and pepper cut across all the various moulds of jollof. The other names for the food in West Africa are: Benachin, ceebu jën (both in Senegal and Gambia), riz au gras (in french speaking countries) and zaamè (in Mali). That's too much talk. Let's start cooking!

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GINGERBREAD

INGREDIENTS

COOKIES

CONT'D

2 ½ cups long grain rice, rinsed (500 g) 1 cup frozen mixed vegetable (150 g) 1 ½ cups water (360 mL)

PREPARATION 1. Add onions and 2 tablespoons of oil to a blender and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl.

2. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and pepper to the blender, and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a separate medium bowl.

3. Heat the remaining ⅓ cup (80 ml) of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

4. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion puree and cook until the water has cooked out and the puree is starting to brown, about 10 minutes.

INGREDIENTS 10 Tablespoons (2/3 cup; 145g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar 2/3 cup (200g) unsulphured molasses 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3 and 1/2 cups (437g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon ground ginger (yes, 1 full Tablespoon!)

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves optional: easy cookie icing or royal icing

5. Stir in the tomato puree and add the curry powder, garlic powder, ginger, dried herbs, and crushed bouillon cubes. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew has reduced by half and is deep red in color.

6. Add the rice, mixed vegetables, and water.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with foil and a lid.

Simmer for another 30 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.

So you have your Ghanaian jollof- the best jollof, no doubt. Enjoy!

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PREPARATION 1. In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy.

Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat on medium high speed until combined and creamy-looking. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Next, beat in egg and vanilla on high speed for 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. The butter may separate; that’s ok.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves together until combined. On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick and slightly sticky. Divide dough in half and place each onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap each up tightly and pat down to create a disc shape. Chill discs for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I always chill mine overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.

the refrigerator. Generously flour a work surface, as well as your hands and the rolling pin.

Roll out disc until 1/4-inch thick. Tips for rolling– the dough may crack and be crumbly as you roll.

What’s helpful is picking it up and rotating it as you go. Additionally, you can use your fingers to help meuld the cracking edges back together.

The first few rolls are always the hardest since the dough is so stiff, but re-rolling the scraps is much easier. Cut into shapes. Place shapes 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Re-roll dough scraps until all the dough is shaped. Repeat with remaining disc of dough.

5. Bake cookies for about 9-10 minutes. If your cookie cutters are smaller than 4 inches, bake for about 8 minutes. If your cookie cutters are larger than 4 inches, bake for about 11 minutes.

My oven has hot spots and yours may too- so be sure to rotate the pan once during bake time.

Keep in mind that the longer the cookies bake, the harder and crunchier they’ll be.

6. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. Once completely cool, decorate as desired.

7. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

4. Remove 1 disc of chilled cookie dough from

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SPORTS

el diego

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o

One of the greatest footballers of all time

D

iego Armando Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Diego was born in Buenos Aires on October 30, 1960 and was raised in Villa Fiorito, a city in the province of the Argentine capital. He was the first of four brothers, in a childhood marked by the difficulties inherent in many of the families who grew up in that neighbourhood. Diego started his career with a local club at the age of nine. He made his debut at 15 among the greats and his talent was so evident that at 16 he was already in the Argentine national team, alongside the great players. Diego Maradona was the youngest player in history to wear the jersey of his country’s national team.

him throughout his career.

In his international career with Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals.

Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

"The Hand of God" was a phrase used by the Argentine footballer Diego Maradona to describe a goal that he scored during the Argentina v England quarter finals match of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The goal took place on 22 June 1986, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Under association football rules, Maradona should have received a yellow card for using his hand and the goal disallowed. However, as the referees did not have a clear view of the play and video assistant referee technology did not yet exist, the goal stood and Argentina led 1–0. The game ended with a 2–1 win for the Argentines, thanks to a second goal scored by Maradona, known as the "Goal of the Century". After the match, Diego Maradona stated that the goal was

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.

Maradona's vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills were combined with his small stature, which gave him a low center of gravity allowing him to manoeuvre better than most other players. In addition to his creative abilities, he possessed an eye for goal and was known to be a free kick specialist. A precocious talent, Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with DEC 2020

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scored "a little with his head, and a little with the hand of God". Maradona became the coach of Argentina's national football team in November 2008. He was in charge of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before leaving at the end of the tournament.

was announced as the new chairman of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest. He arrived in Brest and was presented by the club to start his duties in July. From September 2018 to June 2019, Maradona was coach of Mexican club Dorados. He was the coach of Argentine Primera División club Gimnasia de La Plata from September 2019 until his death on the 25th of November 2020 from a heart attack at the age of sixty. On 4 December 2020, nine days after Maradona's death, Napoli's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, after the late legend.

He then coached Dubai-based club Al Wasl in the UAE Pro-League for the 2011– 12 season. In 2017, Maradona became the coach of Fujairah before leaving at the end of the season. In May 2018, Maradona

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI NAMED THE BEST FIFA MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2020 FC Bayern forward and top scorer Robert Lewandowski has been named UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2019/2020. The Polish international, 32, beat off competition from Manchester City's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Bayern team-mate Manuel Neuer to wi the coveted accolade. The 2019/20 season was one of the greatest in Bayern's 120-year history, and no player contributed more to it than Lewandowski. The Poland striker scored in every game en route to the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon, picking up 15 goals and six assists as well as the trophy he had coveted for so long. He also hit 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches and six in five German Cup games. The award was announced during the 2020/21 UEFA Champions’ League group stage draw in Geneva.

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T

he PS5 is here, and it has brought a brand new Spider-Man adventure with it. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a new standalone follow-up to Sony and Insomniac’s beloved Marvel’s SpiderMan, delivering more of the same thrilling web-swinging and fluid combat while putting the focus on a younger Spidey who is still finding his way.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales was launched on November 12 for $49 (about GHc300), and will be available on both PS4 and PS5.

Buying the PS4 version will get you a digital code for the PS5 version at no extra cost. This works in reverse as well, as owners of the PS5 game will also gain access to the PS4 version. Players will also be able to transfer their save data when upgrading from the PS4 to PS5 versions.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales acts as both a continuation and spin-

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off of Marvel’s Spider-Man, which focused on Peter Parker as he battled the nefarious Inner Demons gang. After discovering his powers in the previous game, Miles is now a Spider-Man-in-training under Peter’s tutelage, and suddenly finds himself as New York’s only Spider-Man when Pete leaves the country on a work trip. Oh, and a mysterious coalition called the Underground is waging war with evil energy corporation Roxxon all over the city. No pressure, Miles.

This sets the stage for a fun and enthralling origin story that sees Miles truly embrace the Spider-Man mantle. The in-game social feed that shows the city reacting to major story events also returns, and it’s as amusing as ever.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is both a great showpiece for the PS5, and a satisfying continuation of the universe first set up in Marvel’s Spider-Man. The web-swinging and combat feels as great as ever, the characters and story are engaging.

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This holiday season, there are a few things as perfect as snuggling up on a sofa with a cup of hot chocolate drink in your hand, your favourite people by your side, and the best movies on your TV. Here are eight movies we think you should check out.

HOLIDATE

Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.

JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY Decades after his trusted apprentice betrayed him, a once-joyful toymaker finds new hope when his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life.

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DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE

An embittered "Scrooge" of a woman plans to sell her small town, regardless of the consequences to the people who live there

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2 Kate Pierce, now a cynical teen, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas forever.

THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN When Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with Kevin, it's up to her double Stacy to save the day before a new lookalike, party girl Fiona foils their plans.

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IN AN ESPECIALLY disorientng year, we ache for familiarity of gathreing together as Christmas approaches. Luckily, music has a way of stiring up memories and encouraging us toward a future hope, and this year, there seems to be something for everyone.

These three albums, provide the inhale and exhale of the season, reminding us both to hold our breath in anticipation of the coming Christ.

Maverick City Music marries gospel style to CCM form to create music that leads the soul to worship. Especiaily as so many of us miss meeting in person, the voices on the album move the listener to sing along in a way that only church worship can. Maverick City Music is a community of song-writing worshippers and they have served up a brand new Christmas EP titled ‘Maverick City Christmas’, featuring eight tracks. The EP is available now for streaming and downloading and this album is a power-packed project that will definitely bless you this holiday period.

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TRACKLIST 1. O Come Let Us Adore Him 2. O Holy Night 3. Is He Worthy/Agnus Dei/ We Fall Down 4. Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee/ Angels We Have Heard On High 5. O Come O Come Emmanuel 6. The First Noel 7. Silent Night 8. Jesus At The Center/ All Hail King Jesus

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If you’re wishing that Sister Act had been a Christmas movie, look no further than A Tori Kelly Christmas. Known for her impossibly perfect vocal riffs, she puts a spin on Christmas classics that brings in R&B tempos, throwback beats and, of course, a choir of backup singers.

It’s not only hype, though. Her rendition of “O Holy Night” is as vocally powerful as it is timeless. If you need some pep in your step, throw on “Joy to The World/Joyful Joyful” and crank up the volume. This album is ideal for getting tasks done or for a boost of energy as the days become shorter.

TRACKLIST 1. Silent Night 2. 25th 3. Christmas Time Is Here 4. Joy to the World 5. Sleigh Ride 6. O Holy Night 7. Gift That Keeps On Giving 8. Elf Interlude 9. Let It Snow 10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel/O Come All Ye Faithful 11. Go Tell It on the Mountain 12. This Christmas 13. Hallelujah

TRACKLIST Is there ever Christmas without Pentatonix? Of course not!

The American acapella pop group, Pentatonix, consisting of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kristin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee is known for its holiday specials and Christmas spirit. Pentatonix is back with another Christmas album and this year’s album is titled ‘We Need A Little Christmas’ and it features 13 Christmas songs.

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1. 12 Days of Christmas 2. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 3. My Favourite Things 4. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) 5. Thank You 6. Santa Tell Me 7. Jingle Bell Pop 8. When You Wish Upon A Star 9. Once Upon A December 10. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season 11. White Christmas 12. We Need A Little Christmas 13. Seasons of Love

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UNSHAKABLE HOPE

BUILDING OUR LIVES ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

MAX LUCADO What feels shaky in your world? Maybe you feel hurt by the past, disappointed by the present, or worried about the future. If so, there is hope. For every problem in life, God has given you a promise.

Whether it’s heart disease or cancer, job failure or addiction, natural disasters or family disasters, mass murders or mental illness, there are so many reasons to be overwhelmed and hope can feel hard to come by. Now more than ever, we need the definitive declarations of our mighty and loving God.

HOPE IN THE DARK

BELIEVING GOD IS GOOD WHEN LFE IS NOT

CRAIG GROESHEL In Hope in the Dark, Groeschel explores the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus, saying, "I believe! Help my unbelief!" In the man's sincere plea, Jesus heard the tension in the man's battle-scarred heart. He healed not only the boy but the father too, driving out the hopelessness that had overtaken him. He can do the same for us today.

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UNCOMMON GROUND

LIVING FAITHFULLY IN A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

TIM KELLER AND JOHN INAZU How can Christians today interact with those around them in a way that shows respect to those whose beliefs are radically different but that also remains faithful to the gospel? Timothy Keller and John Inazu bring together illuminating stories--their own and from others--to answer this vital question. Uncommon Ground gathers an array of perspectives from people thinking deeply and working daily to live with humility, patience, and tolerance in our time.

IF I WERE YOU LYNN AUSTIN If I were you is a stunning historical saga of hardship and desire in wartime. This sweeping story transports readers to one of the most challenging eras of history to explore the deep, abiding power of faith and friendship to overcome more than we ever thought possible.

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LAST WORD

This year has been quite a roller coaster filled with uncertainties, loss of loved ones and a pandemic but through it all we have made it this far in the year, and we are still standing by the grace and mercies of God. Our message in the whirlwind of all these events is hope, one thing that the world needs more of in these uncertain times.

Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans to let our hope keep us joyful. Joy is not merely the absence of pain or suffering, but that even in the pain and suffering we anticipate that day when these would be no more.

Christ born to us in a manger represents this HOPE that the world seeks. He comes to shine light to the areas that were once dark and he is the Prince of Peace to the storms in our lives. He is a shepherd, a brother and friend and in him a new day dawns.

Even as we slowly glide into a new year, let hope keep our spirits alive, set resolutions

and aim to achieve them. 2020 may not have been your year but don’t let pessimism precede 2021. Once we have Jesus, we have everything and with Him in our vessels and blessed hope to keep us joyful, come what may we will smile at the storm.

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit�

Romans 15:13

Enjoy the best of the season. Merry Christmas and a fruitful new year!

Yinatongo

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Yinlogre Atongo

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, CAPE-COAST

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