Clerics have urged the faithful to remember the true meaning of Christmas, so that they will not end up losing out on the most important purpose of the day.
As usual, multitudes flocked different churches and cathedrals across the country to celebrate the holiday that is held in honour of the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a sermon that Cardinal Antoine Kambanda delivered at Kibungo Diocese, he told his audience that Christmas is about Jesus Christ the son of God, the Word who created heaven and earth but accepted to leave the heavenly glory to come down and bear the burdens of humanity so as to save man from sin and death.
"He came down so that we could partake of his eternal life – the life that is more powerful than death. This is a great factor for joy on the earth and among all people,” he said.
At Christian Life Assembly in Kigali, Pastor Amos Kajuga cautioned the faithful about some diversions that turn people’s attention away from the true meaning of Christmas.
"Some of us go into a shopping frenzy and we become extremely impulsive. We sometimes even buy that which we do not need because it is Christmas. Some of us go on holiday destinations. The most important thing on this day sometimes may end up being neglected, and that is the birth of the saviour,” he noted.
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He highlighted that the decorations, dressing, food and other things done on Christmas are not the real purpose of the day, yet people may mistakenly put a lot of attention on them and forget Jesus who is the sole reason for the day.
"Christmas has been reduced to celebrating clothes, food and drinks, yet the day is about the fulfilment of scriptures and Biblical prophecies about the coming of Jesus Christ to the earth. The Bible says that at the right time, God sent his son,” he said.
"The most important thing is the one who was born, and the purpose for which he came,” he added.