It is hustle and bustle as men, women and children in their hundreds stream, rather hastily from Muhanga town and its surrounding areas to Kabgayi Basilica.

That was the mood yesterday morning in Muhanga town, as faithful headed to church to celebrate the main Christmas mass at this historical church.

Some of churchgoers are seen in unmistakable new clothes, something which is also common in other parts of the country during Christmas, especially in the countryside.

Just a few minutes after 10am the church is filled to capacity and late-comers start gathering outside to follow the celebrations.

It has become a common thing on Christmas and other major Church feasts that the Cathedral gets overwhelmed by large numbers of Christians, one of the followers reveals later.

A few kilometres away, just in the heart of Muhanga town, another crowd of worshippers gathers at the Pentecostal church also to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Till then, the town seems calm with little human movement and almost all shops closed. It is until around midday that many shops start opening and activities pick pace.

Loud music blasting from shops and bars, punctuated with beaming faces of people moving about as they invade the streets to the delight of ‘party lovers’ who start flocking bars and hotels to share the joy of Christmas with friends, family and relatives.

However, outside the town, the mood was a bit different. No big parties. No big gatherings outside churches. In rare cases, a limited number of individuals gathered in local bars sipping traditional beer while a handful of others–considered as the wealthier in the rural environment–could be seen enjoying beer.

Nonetheless, it is not business as usual, this is Christmas.

Occasion to pray

Celebrated by millions of people around the world every December 25, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the figure at the centre of Christianity and widely believed to be the Son of God.

Christians said the Day is primarily an occasion for them to pray and come closer to God. Some spend days ahead of Christmas in special prayers with belief that Christmas will find them clean in the eyes of God.

Gaudiose Uwamahoro, a resident of Nyamagana Sector in Muhanga District, spent nine days before Christmas in prayers and sometimes fasted as she prepared for Christmas.

"For me, Christmas is a day to reflect on my relationship with God,” the mother of three said.

But it is also an occasion to share make merry with family members by exchanging gifts and preparing special meals for the occasion.

Residents say such gifts, however small, are very crucial in strengthening family bonds.

Although Uwamahoro said she had organised nothing special, she gave out ‘small gifts’ to her three children. 

Each of the kids got some little money to buy whatever they wanted, she said, noting that though the money was little it could help her children buy sweets and biscuits for the day.

"I hope the small gift made them happy,” Uwamahoro said.

Many spent the day sharing meals with family members, mainly after church services. 

Like Fidele Habimana, a resident of  Mbuye Sector in Ruhango District, who travelled several kilometres  from his village to share the feast of Christmas with his family members in Muhanga.

"It is an occasion for us to meet and enjoy together,” he said, smilingly.

For children, like Olivier Nshimiyimana, nine, Christmas was a day of happiness and excitement. Nshimiyimana, like many of his age-mates, received little money to spend on the Day from their parents–which money, the kid said, made his day pleasurable and memorable. 

"I am extremely happy today,” Nshimiyimana said as he sipped juice from a bottle he held tightly. He added that his parents had bought him Mandazi and Sambusa for the occasion.

Symbol of love

While delivering his Christmas sermon at Kabgayi Basilica, Monsignor Smaragde Mbonyintege, the bishop of Gitarama Catholic Diocese, urged the faithful to open their hearts to God.

Mbonyintege told the faithful that "Christmas is a symbol of God’s Love for humanity” and urged them "to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and avoid falling into the wrong way.”

"Let’s fight the bad and continue championing the good [within our communities],” Mbonyintege told followers as he urged them to remain faithful. 

The prelate also challenged the faithful to share the joy of Christmas with others, especially the poor.