KIGALI - Thousands of Christians yesterday flocked their respective places of worship to celebrate this year’s Christmas day.

Clad in various fashions, Christians in their denominations received a message of hope, love, forgiveness and tolerance as they remembered their saviour’s coming into the world.

At St. Michael Cathedral, the main celebrate of the day’s English service, Father Dominique Okwadha urged the congregation to use the day to reflect on their contribution to the development of the society.

The priest who began the service with blessing congregation, castigated Christians for not adhering to the values, Jesus Christ brought to the world.

"If Jesus brought joy, preached love then no one should switch to bad traditions of corruption or abortion. How much millions have you embezzled from government or NGOs? That is not what Jesus Christ came for.”

Okwadha called upon his congregation to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to rest of the public urging them to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Addressing his congregation at St. Etienne, the archbishop of the Anglican church of Rwanda, Rt. Rev Emmanuel Kolini also called on his Christians to adhere to the teachings of Jesus. 

Many of the Christians who The New Times spoke to believe Christmas celebration is mostly a family excitement.
One Blaise Nyabirande at St. Etienne Church said he was going to spend the day with his family on the shores of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi.

While the Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, said he will celebrate the day with his mother, friends and family.

He called upon Rwandan to work harder and achieve greater things so as to celebrate more progress and meaningful Christmas days.

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