As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, a cross section of religious leaders in Rwanda, have called on their congregations to embrace the virtues of peace, unity and reconciliation as they celebrate this year’s festive season.

In his message, the archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Kolini called on the nation to emulate Jesus Christ who was born to bring peace to the world.

"You can not have peace, without unity and reconciliation, peace is a seed of those two major elements in our lives, it is so amazing to see how far Rwanda has gone but there is still a journey to cover,” Bishop Kolini said while quoting the bible Luke 2:14.

Kolini said the birth of Jesus Christ should be reflected in people’s life bringing forgiveness, love and compassion to communities.

Pastor Charles Mugisha of New Life Bible Church, Kicukiro echoed bishop’s Kolini words saying that Christmas is not about spending, excessive drinking of alcohol and accumulating debts because of excitement.

"Jesus Christ came to the world to save mankind from sin, be free from bondages of hatred, He was incarnated so as to redeem mankind, preached love and later crucified on the cross for everyone’s sins that everyone who was to die may get eternal life,” Mugisha said.

While quoting Philippines 2:5-11, Mugisha said that celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth should reflect change in people’s lives by embracing positive altitudes.

Father Casimir Ruzindaza the director of Radio Maria, a Catholic radio said unity and reconciliation is very crucial basing on the atrocities that befell Rwanda in 1994.

He said that Christmas celebration should be a day of knowing God deeply and bear fruits.
The head of Muslim community, Sheikh Saleh Habimana wished the Christian community a fruitful day.

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