Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. For centuries, this day has always been celebrated by people all over the world. It is a time for family get-togethers, bonding, exchanging gifts and going on vacation.

The day means different things to different people, People’s Donah Mbabazi had a chat with a few people who share their views on what this day means to them.

Marie Ange Raissa Uwamungu, Founder of Impanuro Girls’ Initiative

For me as a Christian, Christmas is a special day for we celebrate the birthday of our Saviour. For example, on December 1, I started a challenge for which I read one chapter of Luke a day; Luke talks a lot about Jesus, so if you want to know more about the early and last days of Jesus, Luke is the perfect recommendation for you to get to understand why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. Also, this is the day where I reconnect with family members I have not seen in years as we are likely to celebrate it together as a family.

Arnaud Mugisha Gatera, Deejay

I am Catholic so this day means a lot to me. It’s the birth of Christ and this makes it a very big day for me. Celebrating Christmas is a way of remembering the birth of Christ and this means a lot to us as Christians, it’s a day to have fun and spend time with loved ones.

Meghan Nimwiza, Miss Rwanda 2019

Christmas to me is a beautiful time when we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and I believe this should be the centre of all celebrations. To me, spending that precious time with my family is the most important thing.

Joseph Caleb Uwagaba, Author

In Mathew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:4-7, the scriptures clearly show us how the birth of Jesus Christ happened. Christmas is a time that reminds me of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise and His incomparable love by giving us His son for the sake of saving us. This is a sign of sacrifice and great love and joy brought by Jesus and His father. Christmas is a time to rest and reflect on that, it should be celebrated by firstly remembering that it was the day Jesus was born and the aim was to show the humbled love that God has for humanity, so our hearts should allow His re-birth in us. Secondly, we should also share what we have with family, friends and strangers.

Sam Asiimwe Ruhindi, Photographer

To me, Christmas is a season where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ whom we believe is our Saviour as Christians. Again it’s that time of the year where families gather together and feast after a long time of everyone being apart, running up and down in search of ways to make a living.

Sharon Mbabazi, Gender activist 

Christmas to me means love, I get to ponder on the love of my creator, He loved me so much that He gave His only begotten son to die for me, as we read it in the Book of John 3:16- "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.”

It’s all about receiving God’s love and reciprocating it to His people as we celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas.