Fruitful Living
Christmas is: Immanuel – God with us (2)
“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
Today we bring you the final part of Christmas Is: Emmanuel – God With US. 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 yet 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 Word Became Flesh
The opening verses of John’s gospel give us the most profound and most beautiful description of God becoming man in Jesus. John tells us that in the beginning of things God’s WORD already existed and that this pre-existent WORD was with God. This means that Jesus was with God before creation and was part of the process of creation. It, therefore, means that it is only the one who is with God and is God who can reveal who God really is. Since God is Creator and Father and wants to restore an intimate relationship with us, what better way could He do it than to come among us and show by the way He lives that He truly is interested in us and cares for us as a Father to His children. So John tells us that it’s He, the Word who became a person – the person Jesus and who lived among us humans to reveal the grace and glory of God our Creator and Father. He who created the world out of nothing can, indeed, take on the form of the highest of His creation.
Grace, Truth and Glory
“The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” – John 1:14
When God walks the earth, there surely must be a difference between the things He does and what merely mortal and finite man would do.
So God came with His unmerited favour (Grace), that favour which made Him substitute our death for His life. He did it out of pure love and a desire to make us who He always wanted us to be. Through Jesus’ death, God brought us back from slavery to sin. God did this through another aspect of grace which translates as charm. In Jesus, God revealed His loveliness and gentleness. Humans always saw God in terms of His might, majesty, power and judgement and though Jesus embodied all these qualities, He revealed also that power,(might, majesty and the right to judge) which is best wielded not in tyranny and oppression but in love and gentleness.
Truth: Jesus is the very embodiment of truth – “I am the way the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV) Truth is God and He sets us free from our wrongful motions, prejudices and fears. Truth cannot be known unless it is communicated and Jesus communicates the truth of God – who He is, what He does what He does, and who He wants us to be. In knowing the truth we become free from all that seek to rob us of our true heritage. When ignorance flees as a result of truth, knowledge comes in and enables us to do things to enhance our lives.
Glory: Jesus’ life and work on earth reflected God’s glory whether in the performance of miracles, the authoritative teachings He gave or the standing up to the falsehood and hypocrisy of the Pharisees. In Jesus’ life the reality of the glory of God shown to Moses in Exodus 33:12-20 & 34:6-7 became really manifest.
Immanuel: God With Us
Ever since Jesus (meaning Jehovah is Salvation) walked the earth God has been permanently with us. In Old Testament times, God, Through His Holy Spirit visited humans from time to time (the Israelites in the desert; at the dedication of the temple built by Solomon; with Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Zechariah and so on), but since 2,000 years ago when baby Jesus was born in that manger in Bethlehem, God is, indeed, with us all the time. He is with us to save us from sin, to fill us with His Holy Spirit’s power so that we can live as Jesus did, revealing God’s grace, truth and glory to a world filled with the darkness of greed, injustice, corruption, murder, idolatry, adultery and all manner of unkindness and wickedness. But as we read in Titus 1:11-14 NIV
“They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. One of their own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.”
Let this Christmas season be a time that you will build a throne in your heart and invite God, through Jesus, to take His rightful place. John 1:12-13 and Revelation 3:20.
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” – John 1:12-13 NIV.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”- Revelation 3:20 NIV.
Stay Blessed!
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BY DR JOYCE ARYEE, THE AUTHOR
Fruitful Living
Muslim women in leadership, governance and other professional fields (Final part)
Though debated, women’s leadership is not prohibited in Islam if practiced within Islamic ethics. Muslim women historically influenced governance through education, economic power, and advisory roles (Ahmed, 2021). Contemporary Muslim women in public office embody the Qur’anic principle of justice (Qur’an 4:135).
Islam encourages professions that benefit society. Female physicians, gynecologists, and nurses are essential in Muslim societies, ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare (Shaikh, 2015). Similarly, Muslim women in education, media, and business embody the Prophetic principle of service to humanity.
The Ghanaian context
In Ghana, Muslim women play a pivotal role in sustaining both families and communities. Beyond managing households, many women assume the role of primary breadwinners, paying school fees, supporting relatives, and financing community projects. Their contributions extend into professional and public life. In academia, Dr Rabiyatu Armah, an Islamic educationist and lecturer at University of Ghana, has championed girls’ schooling and equal opportunities in religious studies. In politics and governance, Hajia Samira Bawumia, Ghana’s former Second Lady, has promoted literacy, health, and women’s empowerment through nationwide initiatives. In the media, Madam Shamima Muslim, who serves as Deputy Presidential Spokesperson under President John Dramani Mahama, stands as a role model for young Muslim journalists. Her career reflects how Muslim women can excel in public communication while upholding modesty and Islamic values. These examples affirm that empowering Muslim women in education, media, and governance strengthens both families and national development.
Education and economic empowerment
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of you are those who are best to their women.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162). Honouring women means enabling them to access education and livelihood. Denying women education contradicts both the Qur’an and Sunnah and weakens the Muslim ummah (Barazangi, 2008).
A call to rethink our attitudes
Muslim societies today must critically re-examine cultural practices that continue to restrict women’s potential and return to Islam’s authentic message. The Qur’an and Sunnah affirm women as not only homemakers but also scholars, professionals, and leaders in society. True empowerment lies in realising the framework Islam already provides.
The role of Muslim scholars (‘ulama) is crucial. Those trained in Sharia and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) must guide women in balancing modesty with participation in business, education, and public service. History offers powerful precedents: Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA), one of the Prophet’s wives, transmitted over 2,000 hadiths and was a leading authority in law; and Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, the world’s oldest existing university. Their legacy demonstrates how knowledge and faith combined to shape civilisations. Equipping today’s Muslim women with similar guidance will strengthen families, uplift communities, and ensure a prosperous ummah.
Conclusion
Islam dignified women at a time when they were devalued, transforming them from marginalised figures to partners in faith, family, and society. From Khadijah (RA), who invested her wealth in the Prophet’s mission, to Aisha (RA), who transmitted knowledge and shaped Islamic scholarship, women have always stood at the heart of the ummah. The Qur’an enshrined their rights to inheritance, education, economic participation, and spiritual equality (Qur’an 4:7; 33:35).
Equally significant is the role of Muslim women in marriage and family life. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), highlighting marriage as a bond of comfort and protection. As wives and mothers, Muslim women nurture faith, instill moral discipline in children, and create homes rooted in mercy, patience, and cooperation. This domestic leadership complements their contributions in business, education, health, and governance, ensuring balance in both private and public life.
Allah reminds us: “For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn.” (Qur’an 4:32). Empowering women in marriage, education, and work is therefore central to building thriving families, resilient communities, and a strong ummah.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Being a channel of truth and holiness (Part 1)
“Again Jesus call the crowd to Him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.” – Mark 7:14-16 (NIV)
Introduction
The Lord is really awesome in His wisdom and as Moses said when they were led to cross the Red Sea – “Who is like unto you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11 (KJV)
CHANNEL
The word channel connotes action – real action because as a verb, it means:
- to direct
- to show the way
- shepherd
- lead
- train; among others.
And as a noun it can mean:
- a conduit
- an access
- an artery
- a pipeline
- a means of.
But the other words I found in the Thesaurus which really thrilled me and gave me a greater understanding of who we are called to be as Christians are meaning of channel as
- Advertiser;
- Delegate;
- Witness;
- Narrator;
- Go between;
- Spokesman,
- Communicator;
- Publiciser;
- Speaker.
Fascinating isn’t it. This reminds us of our calling as stated in Acts 1:8 that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes and we will be His witness here on earth – we are to be those through whom others come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. So as I found in the Thesaurus, we are Jesus’ delegates here on earth – we represent Him. We are His spokespersons. His go between when He wants to reach out to people. We are His communicators – we are really the ones who should be on radio each day telling people about the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation and redemption from sin. Alas, political party communicators seem to have the upper hand because media houses prefer their cacophony and not our soothing but very powerful words that ONLY Jesus saves.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
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