{{As hundreds flock the respective churches to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, different messages have been disseminated as regards Christmas.}}

Slightly different from expected messages, the bishop of Shyira Diocese The Rt. Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda has called for spiritual transformation in order to build the nation significantly.

Bishop Mbanda who was presiding over the Christmas celebration service at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Muhoza sector in Musanze District says that Rwanda as a nation needs transformed people to transform the country.

“We should celebrate Christmas remembering that Jesus Christ came to die for our sins to be transformed right from our hearts to impact our neighbors positively,” Bishop Mbanda said amidst hundreds of
worshipers that flocked the church to celebrate this year’s Christmas.

“If you are transformed, it is possible to transform your neighbors, then your community and certainly the whole nation will can be transformed hence conserving the good values of our country,” Mbanda said.

Bishop Mbanda also called upon all Christians to learn how to extend love to non Christians and especially to the less privileged people in the communities.

“Jesus Christ’s birth reminds us of the grace and mercy God had towards us, a way to know God and receive a gift to called children of God,” Mbanda added.

Bishop Mbanda also wished all Rwandans a merry Christmas not only focusing on eating and drinking but also allowing to repent and receive internal joy and peace for the rest of their lives.

Jointly helped by the retired bishop John Rucyahana they also led a holy communion session as a symbol to remember what Jesus Christ did to redeem mankind.

Shyira Diocese is one of the 10 high level structural leadership in Anglican churches of Rwanda (EAR) that has transformed lives of people both spiritually and physically in Northern Province.

The diocese has been involved in education, health, hospitality, and savings schemes among others that have changed lives in different communities.