“Light the World” Theme of Ghana Interfaith Christmas Festival

African melodies and traditions highlighted the Christmas Choral Festival Saturday evening, at the Christiansborg meeting hall in Accra, Ghana. Embracing the theme “Light the World,” musicians and speakers from varied circumstances, ethnicities and religious backgrounds united in a global effort to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and encourage people of all faiths to serve others during the Christmas season.

In November, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a worldwide campaign to encourage audiences to "Light the World" by serving one another. Church leaders in Ghana used that theme for the annual event. The initiative focuses on celebrating and sharing the light of Jesus Christ, the “light of the world” (John 8:12).

While addressing the gathering, Elder Vern P. Stanfill of the Africa West Area Presidency commented, "You are a remarkable sight. Gathered here tonight are nearly a thousand people from across the world—each from different cultures, traditions, religious beliefs and backgrounds—coming together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I am humbled to join with you."

Tribal chiefs, Parliament members, service club officers, school principals and police superintendents read passages from the New Testament illustrating the divinity of the birth of Jesus Christ. Choral groups from Christiansborg Stake (a group of Latter-day congregations), Labone Senior High School and Emvic Choral Choir lifted their voices in traditional African songs which proclaim the joyous announcement of Jesus Christ's birth.

Keynote speaker, Elder Marcus B. Nash, said, "Rejoice not only in the birth of Jesus Christ, choose to follow Him. Doing so is the greatest Christmas gift one can give the Savior—to follow Him. Do not simply think of Jesus during this Christmas season, but come to know Him by doing what He did. Delight in the gift of His life by serving one another."

The capacity crowd of more than one thousand expressed appreciation with ecstatic applause and cheerful faces at the end of the evening. Event organizers encouraged attendees to perform acts of service for others. People who use social media are encouraged to share their experiences by using the hashtag #LightTheWorld.