It was that time of the year when Christians all over the world go to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and give or receivin gifts to or from family and friends.
In the middle of the sermon at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Remera, a woman in her 80s in a pure white Umushanana and grey hair crowned with urugori (to signify motherhood) stands up, shouts out loud: "It is Christmas, everybody is happy!” And the crowd laughs, claps and Christmas carols extravaganza fills the building.
Her joyous excited face was pretty noticeable on the faces of Christians gathered in various churches on Christmas day. Children in seemingly new dresses, family members holding hands, were hugging and posing for pictures.
The holy day essence was inevitably everywhere.
The New Times visited some churches and attended sermons in Kigali.
Apart from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, most preachers focused on peace and love as the mascot message of Christmas.
Kigali Diocese Archbishop Antoine Kambanda, at St Michel Kigali, called upon the congregation to strengthen their love and generosity, not just for Christmas, but for always.
Asaph Worship Band sing Christmas hymns at Zion Temple in Kigali yesterday. Photos: Sam Ngendahimana.
He reminded the sermon that Christmas is about love, peace and humanity.
"There is no single excuse that can stop a willing heart from doing well,” he preached during his inaugural Christmas sermon since he was appointed by the Pope to lead the diocese.
Christmas is all about breaking selfish and egoistic attitude, he said, and let Christmas bring joy and happiness to everyone.
On the other side, at St Peter’s church, "let peace fill the world” was the song. Addressing Christians in the newly inaugurated church, Reverend Antoine Rutayisire articulated that the ultimate goal of Christmas is spreading love and peace to everyone.
"Peace is a precious possession that everyone is trying to find all the time. It can however be found only when people are unified and altruistic, not through wars and divorces,” he preached.
Meanwhile, Christians from St Etienne Cathedral were also in the Christmas mood. Through worship and praise led by their choir, Prince of Peace, they sang songs like ‘Yet not I, but Christ in me, the first Noel, and Come all ye faithful.
Mass choir sing for joy to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at St Etienne Anglican Church.
Bishop Nathan Rusengo Amooti, reminded the congregation about the Birth of Christ through a chapter in the book of Luke, in the Bible, that narrates the story of the shepherds who were keeping watch of their sheep, when an angel appeared to them with good news of the birth of Christ.
The congregation was also urged to spread the Christmas spirit by supporting the church’s initiative to visit patients at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), and support street children with what they need in this season.
At Zion Temple, the spirit was the same. Songs like Silent Night, Joy to the World (in Kinyarwanda), among others, led by Asaph Worship band.
The congregation was urged to do well unto others, so they would be addressed by their good deeds in the future.
They were also urged to support the church’s initiative to visit patients at Muhima hospital.
Christmas celebrations in churches were across the world, and Pope Francis, ushering in Christmas on Wednesday for the world prayed that the people light up the world, which he said has darkness.
"May (God) soften our often stony and selfish hearts, and make them channels of his love. May he bring his smile, through our poor faces, to all the children of the world: to those who are abandoned and those who suffer violence,” the Pontiff said.
Christ Child’s crib at Saint Michel Cathedral in Kigali.
Members of the congregation follow a Christmas sermon at Regina Pacis Catholic Parish in Remera.
A woman playing a trombone at St Etienne Anglican Church
The newly inaugurated church of St Pierre Anglican Church at Remera
Young children had their special celebration of Christmas at St Pierre
Reverend Antoine Rutayisire leads the Holy Communion at St Peter Anglican Church at REMERA
Two women kneel in front of creche during the mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus at REGINA PACIS