Fruitful Living
Christmas is: Immanuel – God with us (1)
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” – Matt 1:23 (NIV)
Introduction
God Came Down
Christmas has become a period associated with the hustle and bustle of commercial activities and of festive times – partying, eating and drinking and giving of presents. Although Christmas is a Christian festival (the name is derived from the first mass celebrated to commemorate the birth of Christ, i.e. Christ Mass) its festiveness is enjoyed by people of all religions although Christians go much further to make it a time to worship God for His great love to mankind which culminated in His coming to earth as man – the man Jesus. God chose to come among us in order to reveal Himself fully to us. In that respect, He chose not to come out of the sky as a grown up man but as a baby so that He would totally share our humanity and in doing so, sanctify our humanity by living a sinless life so that we would know that the life He gives us comes with His righteousness.
The idea of God becoming man is so mind-boggling that many, including those who profess to be Christians, have decided to put it in the realms of fiction or perhaps allegory. The reason for the finite mind rejecting this concept is understandable. After all, how can God condescend to become a human, something so lowly. In the Bible God is described as one with infinite powers of creation and destruction. Isaiah describes God thus: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His Counsellor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
– Isaiah 40:12-15 & 28. (NIV)
Man in God’s Image
In this beautiful description of the mighty God is the key to understanding why God would choose to become man. God’s plan for man is that there would be an intimate relationship between them and that man would exercise God’s authority on earth by ruling over all that God has created.
In fact, in fulfilment of this plan, God in creation said: “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” – Genesis 1:26. So God created humans – male and female in His own image and God blessed them and said to them “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” – Gen. 1:28. (NIV) After creating man, God and man shared intimate fellowship until man decided to reject that fellowship by going his own way – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day and they hid from the LORD among the trees of the garden.” –Gen. 3:8. (NIV)
A Father’s Heart
Humans fell into sin through disobedience and became separated from God – “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Gen 3:23-24. (NIV) When sin entered the human race it became manifest in murder (Cain & Abel) vengeful pride, and increasing human wickedness. Indeed, so great was the wickedness that God was actually grieved that He had created humans – “The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.” Gen. 6:5-6 (NIV) and the Lord decided to wipe out the human race and begin again with someone who, in spite of the wickedness around him, remained righteous – Gen 6:7-22. “So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air – for I am grieved that I have made them.”But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their way. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all the people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and will enter the ark – you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.
Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (NIV)
We all know the story of God raising men and women to speak His word to mankind, to remind them of His love and holiness and to direct mankind in the way of righteousness. All the while God was waiting for the time when He would reveal Himself fully to mankind so that He would share His life with them and restore them to the original relationship of intimate fellowship.
HYMN- MHB 139
The race that long in darkness pined
Has seen a glorious Light;
The people dwell in day, who dwelt
In death’s surrounding night.
To hail Thy rise, Thou better Sun,
The gathering nations come,
Joyous as when the reapers bear
The harvest-treasure home.
To us a Child of Hope is born,
To us a Son is given;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him all the hosts of heaven.
His name shall be the prince of peace,
For everyone adored,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord.
His power increasing still shall spread,
His reign no end shall know:
Justice shall guard His throne above,
And peace abound below.
John Morison (1750-98)
To be continued!
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
“….at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” – Romans 5:6 (NIV)
Introduction
Jesus Christ shed His blood on the Cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and we are baptized in Him into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. The Holy Spirit also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
We continue from where we ended last week
Seven words on the cross
4. The word of spiritual suffering
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Mark 15:34. These words mark the climax of Jesus’ suffering for a lost world. Jesus experienced separation from God the Father as the sinner’s substitute. Here the sorrow, grief and pain were at their worst!
He was pierced for our transgression – “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) and gave Himself a “ransom for many” – Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6. God made Him who had no sin to be a sin for you and me – 2 Cor. 5:21.
Jesus died, forsaken that we might never be forsaken – Psalm 22. Because of this we are redeemed by the suffering of Christ – 1 Peter 1:19.
5. The word of physical suffering
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” – John 19:28.
Jesus nearing death goes through the agony of thirst! Jesus the fountain of Living Water desires earthly water and is given vinegar – sour wine which He rejects! He had to endure pain and shame.
6. The word of triumph
“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished” John 19:30 – mission accomplished. The work of redemption is done! Jesus did not say “I am finished”. Rather He triumphantly made a declaration that He had completed and accomplished His work on the cross.
– He had accomplished the earthly mission assigned by the Father;
– He had fulfilled the important Old Testament prophecy about the suffering Messiah -Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:3-12.
– Completed the work of redemption as the sacrificial and Passover Lamp of God – John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7 involving blood atonement – Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12 & 22.
– The decisive moment of victory over Satan and his network of demons – Colossians 2:15
– Jesus has achieved the means of reconciliation of God with His creation and sinful humanity. – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 & 21; Colossians 1:20-22. It is worthy to note that nothing can be added to the finished work of the cross for salvation. The way of salvation is now open to all who believe and draw on Jesus finished work on the cross – Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46. The debt for our sin has been paid in full and the plan of salvation established.
7. The word of committal
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last.” – John 19:30; Luke 23:46.
The Lord Jesus voluntarily committed His life into God the Father’s care – He went in spirit to His Father in Heaven.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16 (NIV).
Kindly note: You are warmly invited to join us for our programme, Meditations on Easter, on Saturday, 11th April 2026 at Christ the King Parish Hall at 8:00 a.m.
The theme is: “He Is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!!! – The Transformative Power of the Resurrection” (Matthew 28:5; 1 Peter 1:3–4).
Our deepest desire this Easter is to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection more intimately in our lives and to share the hope of the risen Lord with others.
Stay Blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightgh.org
Fruitful Living
HAJJ: The 5th Pillar of Islam, a sacred journey to the house of Allah …an elevated call to faith, sacrifice, spiritual renewal (Final part)
Types of Hajj: Understanding the forms of pilgrimage
There are three recognised types of Hajj:
• Hajj al-Tamattu’: Performing Umrah first, exiting Ihram, and then entering Ihram again for Hajj.
• Hajj al-Qirān: Combining Umrah and Hajj in one Ihram without exiting.
• Hajj al-Ifrād: Performing only Hajj without Umrah.
Each type has specific rulings, and the choice depends on the pilgrim’s circumstances.
Miqāt and the State of Ihram
The Miqāt refers to designated boundary points where pilgrims must enter into Ihram before proceeding to Makkah. Crossing these boundaries without Ihram invalidates the proper commencement of Hajj.
Ihram is not just clothing—it is a sacred state of discipline, intention, and spiritual consciousness.
Fidyah and Dam: Expiation in Hajj
Islam provides remedies for mistakes during Hajj:
• Fidyah: Compensation such as fasting, feeding the poor, or sacrifice for minor violations
• Dam: Sacrificial penalty required for certain omissions or violations
These ensure that errors do not invalidate the pilgrimage but are corrected through prescribed means.
The virtue of Hajj Mabroor
The ultimate goal is to attain Hajj Mabroor (an accepted Hajj). The Prophet Mohammed pbuh said:
“An accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Its signs include sincerity, avoidance of sin, humility, and lasting transformation after the pilgrimage.
The role of intention and acceptance
Hajj is not judged by outward actions alone but by sincerity of intention (Niyyah). A person may perform all rituals correctly yet fail to attain acceptance if sincerity is lacking.
Allah looks at the hearts, not merely the actions.
Life after Hajj: A new beginning
Hajj is not the end—it is the beginning of a renewed life. A pilgrim is expected to:
• Maintain righteousness
• Increase acts of worship
• Avoid returning to sin
• Become a model of good character in society
The true success of Hajj is reflected in one’s transformation.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year. It includes:
• Ihram
• Tawaf
• Sa’i
• Shaving or trimming hair
Though not obligatory like Hajj, it holds immense spiritual reward. The Prophet Mohammed said:
“One Umrah to another is an expiation for what is between them.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah
While not a pillar of Hajj, visiting the Mosque of the Prophet Mohammed pbuh in Madinah is a highly recommended Sunnah.
The Prophet Mohammed said:
“Do not undertake a journey except to three mosques: Al-Masjid al-Haram, my mosque, and Al-Aqsa Mosque.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Praying in the Prophet’s Mosque carries immense reward, and sending salutations upon him at his grave is a deeply spiritual experience.
Summary and conclusion
Hajj is a journey of total submission, unity, and spiritual rebirth. It connects the believer to the legacy of the Prophets and prepares the soul for the ultimate return to Allah.
The Prophet Mohammed pbuh said:
“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah and avoids obscenity and wrongdoing will return like the day he was born.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1521; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1350)
May Allah grant us the opportunity to perform Hajj, accept it from us, and make it a means of our salvation. Ameen
Author’s profile
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imam
Governance Expert and Islamic Scholar
Imam Saeed Abdulai is a distinguished Islamic scholar and community leader known for his impactful teachings on faith, governance, and societal development. He actively contributes to religious education and public discourse in Ghana and beyond.
22. References
• The Noble Qur’an (2:197, 3:97, 22:26–27)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
• Sunan al-Tirmidhi
• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim
• Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam, Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
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