Fruitful Living
The reason for the season
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” – Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV).
INTRODUCTION
It is that time of the year again when we begin frantic preparations for Christmas. These days, the season is one big commercial venture and most supermarkets have already decorated for the season. I would, however, like us to spend time pondering on the real reason for the season. His Name is JESUS. He entered our world for a reason and so let us look at what He has done for us as we read in scripture and see how we can turn this Christmas into a time of worship, praise, thanksgiving, generosity and great joy.
1. HE CAME TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM SIN – “She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name JESUS, because He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
2. HE CAME TO RECONCILE US TO GOD – “That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19
3. HE CAME TO GIVE US:
(a) ABUNDANT LIFE – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
(b) GRACE
“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
“And are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:24
“For if, by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace….” – Romans 5:17a
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the many” – Romans 5:15
(d) PEACE–
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” – John 14:27
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His fl esh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near” – Ephesians 2:14-17
(e) A NEW LIFE –
“We are therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” – Romans 6:4
4. HE CAME THAT THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE WE WILL BE CHILDREN OF GOD –
“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” – John 1:12
• HE CAME TO MAKE US HOLY
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” – 1 Peter 2:9
• HE CAME TO MAKE US RIGHTEOUS
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
“… the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” – Rom. 5:17b
“However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” – Romans 4:5
• HE CAME THAT WE MIGHT BE AT PEACE WITH GOD –
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” – Romans 5:1
• HE CAME THAT WE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH JOY –
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be Complete” – John 15:11
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – Romans 14:17
• HE CAME THAT WE MIGHT BE ENCAPSULATED WITH HIS LOVE –
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him” – 1 John 3:1
OUR RESPONSE?
We need to respond to God’s love and grace by accepting the gift God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. In Christ, we find all the full ness of God. Let us meditate on John 1:12-13 and Revelation 3:20 and if we have not accepted God’s indescribable Gift, this is the time to do so.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE REAL CHRISTMAS?
As we celebrate another Christmas, let’s think about the spirit of the event, rather than allow ourselves to get trapped in just the celebrations. Some of those who saw Him walk on water still rejected Him. Some who witnessed His divine introduction as God’s beloved Son in whom He is well pleased – Matthew 3:17 – still despised Him. In the same way, many of us who have read about Him and witnessed His modern-day miracles still struggle to fully accept Him.
Angels heralded the birth of Jesus, because they knew the priceless sacrifice He had come to earth to perform. Humanity, the recipient of Jesus’ sacrifice was largely oblivious to His birth and uninterested in His mission. Even His death, the culmination of the reason for His birth, was the climax of humanity’s consternation with One they despised enough to get rid of. Yet, God the All-knowing, Alpha and Omega, who saw the full picture of how His Son would be treated, still chose to send Him to dwell among us.
If Jesus had not come, our situation would have been miserable, indeed. Glory filled the earth when He was born and angels adored Him. Wise men bowed before Him, with gifts of gratitude – gold, incense and myrrh. Throughout His life on earth, God the Father attended His prayers as dew moistened His brows during many early morning supplications for the redemption of man. At His death, all heaven stood still and darkness covered the face of the earth.
Jesus came and died and He is back in heaven at the right hand of God. Beyond the food, and drinks, and new clothes and gifts of this Christmas season, remember why He came. It was to die for our sins. Hence, the only reason that can recapture the essence of Christmas is to yearn for Christ Jesus to be born anew in the heart of men and women so that humanity will be born again in the image of Christ. Then heaven will blaze with glory and its hosts will rejoice over one more sinner, reconciled to God, the Father. It is the only reason for the season. Nothing else counts. Are we ready for the real Christmas?
Stay blessed!
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By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
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
“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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