Christians urged on sharing, forgiveness

It was all joy and celebrations as Christians yesterday flocked churches to celebrate Christmas Day across the country, just like it was the case the world over. Christians came with offerings and sung Christmas carols as clerics preached about God’s kindness, mercy and forgiveness urging Christians to emulate Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated on the day. At Saint Michel Catholic Cathedral, the newly elected Archbishop of Kigali Diocese, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda prayed for transformation of all Christians and urged them to share what they had with their colleagues especially those with different religious beliefs. “Merry Christmas and may the joy of Christmas go in our hearts, in our homes and in our families. May this day help us reflect on Jesus’ love who chose to come and live with us, endured sufferance. Let us receive him and rejoice with him,” he said. At St. Etienne Anglican Parish, Bishop Louis Muvunyi reminded the congregation that to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and celebrate it with deep understanding. “Jesus is the greatest gift God has given to the world; he is our redeemer and our initiator to God. Christmas reminds us that God loved us so much that he descended on earth in human flesh, lived for us and died for us,” he said. Bishop Muvunyi through Jesus, believers have got to be forgiven for their sins and overcome fear. “In him we will be forgiven our sins, in him we are satisfied and in him we become sons and daughters of God again,” he said. Apostle Yoshua Masasu the leader of the Evangelical Restoration Church called upon Christians to seek salvation more than celebrations as they remember the birth of Christ. “As we mark the birth of Christ, let’s not be taken away by the element of merrymaking and forget reflecting on the birth of Jesus our salvation” he said. “Jubilation is optional. We should instead reflect on being saved from our sins” he said. Fr Evariste Biramahire the priest Regina Pacis in Kimironko told Christians to embrace peace among themselves as they celebrate the birth of “the Prince of Peace”. “Jesus Christ was born and preached peace in Israel. That is the peace we have to hold amongst ourselves” he said. “Mark Christmas as a starting point of creating peace among our families, neighbours, countrymen and humanity at large”. Some of Christians were overjoyed and celebrated Christmas with seeking to renew their relationship with Jesus. “It is a time to reflect on the love, the kindness and humility Jesus espoused to us and I commit to do my best to emulate his way. We need to understand what Jesus preached and do the same by loving, caring and sharing and I think that is what we should do not only on Christmas but in our daily life,” said Christine Yadukurije, 46, who prayed from St. Famille. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Christians urged on sharing, forgiveness