BISHOP CALLIST RUBARAMIRA CALLS FOR TRUE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION .

The Ordinary of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev Callist Rubaramira has called on Christians a cross the Diocese to embrace love, forgiveness, and reconciliation as they celebrate Christmas, reminding them that Christ’s coming is an invitation to peace within families and communities.

While delivering his Christmas message to the journalists at his office on Rushoroza Hill on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Bishop Rubaramira congratulated Christians for successfully completing the four weeks of Advent, a period dedicated to spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. He noted that Advent serves as a reminder for believers to repent and straighten their lives in readiness to receive the Savior.

Quoting the Gospel of Matthew 3:1-12, Bishop Rubaramira emphasized the message of Saint John the Baptist, who urged believers to prepare the way of the Lord by repentance and renewal of heart. He explained that Jesus Christ comes bearing the fullness of God’s love and mercy and desires to dwell in the lives of those who open their hearts to Him.

Bishop Rubaramira also reflected on the Gospel of Saint John 1:14, highlighting that the Word became flesh and lived among humanity. He encouraged Christians to remember that Christ continues to knock at the door of their hearts, seeking to dwell within them and transform them into true children of God.

He urged believers to make this Christmas meaningful by allowing Christ to work through them, spreading peace, joy, love, mercy, and forgiveness in their homes and communities.

The Bishop expressed concern over divisions caused by grudges and misunderstandings, especially within families and Small Christian Communities where some people give what he described as “limping excuses,” such as refusing to pray or attend church simply because someone they disagree with worshippers there. He called on Christians to overcome these barriers through forgiveness.

You hear people saying, ‘I cannot go to pray because so-and-so goes to that church. These excuses do not reflect the teachings of Christ, who is the master of forgiveness – Bishop Callist Rubaramira.

According to the Bishop, every person has a need, whether material, emotional, or spiritual, and Christians are called to be generous instruments of Christ’s love to all, including those they may find difficult to relate with since Christ will judge humanity by how generous they had been while on earth.

He encouraged the Christians to allow Christ’s power to dwell in them, assuring them that God’s grace is sufficient to overcome all challenges. Bishop Rubaramira prayed for God’s blessings, protection, and peace upon families and communities, wishing all Christians a joyful and blessed Christmas.