KIGALI - As millions of Rwandans celebrate Christmas today, local clergymen have called on people not to mark the day through sinful ways but rather to embrace the cause of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church Emmanuel Kolini has urged Rwandans to embrace God’s blessing throughout Christmas season.

In his Christmas message yesterday, Kolini said: "Some people use Christmas as time to do wicked things instead of repenting their sins committed during the year.”

He said Christians ought to celebrate but it must be done in line with Biblical teachings.

He said that Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ, symbolises the human being and people should always renew their faith by turning to Lord, the savior.

"There are some ugly things we shouldn’t give priority on this day; for example adultery, getting drunkard and theft as some people do,” he advised.

He pointed out that the world had no peace before the coming of Christ and that hasn’t changed to date.

People should therefore, he urged, keep their hearts clean to save their lives from the evils of the world.

Apostle Joshua Masasu, the Chairman of Forum for Born Again Churches of Rwanda (FOBACOR), appealed to Christians to reflect on baby Jesus and turn to Him in every circumstance.

"Jesus was born to save us from our sins; we should also keep that in mind and come back to him during such days,” Masasu said.

"Christmas should be used as a formula for people to show a repentant heart than anything else since it comes only once in the year,” he added.

He noted that during Christmas celebrations, people tend to forget about "tomorrow” and waste their lives by going for ungodly things which is not the essence of the day.

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