Christians believe that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. As a son of God, He left the magnificence, glory, holiness and perfection of heaven and came to the world as human. His suffering was to bring healing, reconciliation and hope for human race. Today, as Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of the Messiah, religious leaders share a message of cautiousness in light of the pandemic and most importantly, emphasise that this celebration be marked as a relentless reminder of our salvation. Bishop Nathan Amooti Rusengo, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kigali, says when Jesus came to earth, the Bible shows that He was to be called Emmanuel- meaning that God is with us. He says, when you sacrifice your child, it means that you have sacrificed yourself. Therefore God didn’t remain in heaven, He is here with us on earth. This is what Christians should remember as they celebrate the birth of Jesus. He adds that Christmas is an expression of God’s love to mankind. “If you remember, here on earth if you love someone, for example in a relationship, expression of love can be shown through gift giving, this began with God, He loved humankind that He gave us this gift, and it was Jesus.” The bishop also notes that Christmas day is when history changed for Christians, for it’s when God came in human flesh so that He feels what humans experience, this was His gift for us, and He left us also with the Holy Spirit to guide us. “John 3: 16 says, for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Things changed because of Christmas, it is a sign of how God often starts in small ways, Jesus also was a baby who experienced human life from day one until He left the world, and now He is seated at the right hand of the father, interceding for us,” he says. Apostle Jane Karamira of Faith Evangelical Church urges Christians to be vigilant even as they celebrate the birth of their Saviour in light of the current pandemic. “I wish you a merry season of celebrating the birth of our redeemer. We all know that during these holidays, most people tend to celebrate and carry out all forms of social engagement. But as you celebrate it, I urge you to be vigilant because of this pandemic out here, please remember that the pandemic is still there and dangerous,” she says. A celebrative season Bishop Rusengo describes Christmas as a celebrative season where we remember how angels came to earth with good news to the world, a time of sweet smelling flavours, a time to come together as families to celebrate and share together. Though, he also cautions that at a time like this, one has to be careful because of Covid-19. “Christmas is really good news for humankind, it’s a redemption act for mankind, it brought us closer to God through His son Jesus Christ. In a nutshell, Christmas is a big day for the church and individual lives of Christians.” Pastor Venancie Abatoni of Successful Christian Ministries Ndera prays for this year’s Christmas season to bring more wisdom to the world. “First, I am grateful to the Lord who has given all Rwandans an opportunity to celebrate this year’s Christmas season. Secondly, I would like to wish you all the blessings in this season and ahead. May the Lord give you good health, security, peace, victory anywhere you may be. I am wishing you this in the name of Jesus Christ, most importantly may you get more wisdom on His word. Shalom to all of you.” For Pastor Consolee Umutoni of Itorero Imbaraga z’Imana, people should be more grateful this season than the past ones, because this year was very special in various ways. “I wish all Rwandans a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Making it to the end of the year, we owe The Lord a lot of sacrifices. Additionally, may the Lord of peace keep protecting you, guiding you, and may you keep obeying Him in all means of your life.”
