Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe’s 2024 Christmas Message

Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe’s 2024 Christmas Message:
My Fellow Ugandans,
I’m reaching out to you today to wish you a Spirit filled Christmas 2024!
I extend my condolences to families that have lost their loved ones since we celebrated last Christmas. May the peace of Jesus and the comfort of the Holy Spirit settle in your hearts as you celebrate Christmas without your loved ones.
Christmas is coming! I wonder what that means to you. Of course, Christmas means lots of feasting. It also means higher prices for sodas, for food, and for transport. It can often mean an increase in crime, especially theft. In the midst of all your final preparations of shopping and cooking, please take time to remember Jesus, who is the reason for this season.
The heart of the message of Christmas, however, is found in the words of the Bible, "At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him." Luke 2:13-14 (MSG). When I was a young man, I got saved. I received God’s peace by receiving His Son Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour. Since then I have spent my entire ministry as an evangelist, sharing this Good News.
If you want true peace, it can only be found in Jesus the Prince of Peace. To receive God’s peace, you must receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Peace has a name and it is Jesus. Love has a name and it is Jesus. Hope has a name and it is Jesus. This is the simple, yet profound message of Christmas.
Peace doesn't mean the absence of chaos. It means standing firm in your center, no matter the storm. Peace does not mean the absence of conflicts. Differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means. Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. You are mindful that the presence of Christ is in the midst of the storms of life. Some individuals are a walking civil war, may you find peace during this festive season.
As many of us travel to our respective villages for Christmas, we remember those who are in hospitals and others are in prison like Rtd. Col. Dr Kiiza Besigye. It’s my prayer that as you celebrate Christmas you shall all remember to heed the word of God in Matthew 25:36 where He says that “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” So as we pray for those in authority(1Tim2:1-2) remember to cloth those who are naked, visit those in prison and look after those that are sick. That’s true Christmas. I am praying for you all in your respective situations that God who sees all will be your God (Emmanuel), your wonderful counsellor, just judge, Prince of peace and everlasting Father.
The time when Uganda will have general elections is knocking at the door. Uganda will soon turn into the promised Land where aspiring leaders will make a lot of promises. Some will even promise bridges where there are no rivers. May the Lord give you the discernment to elect the right leaders.
Finally, I send warm Christmas greetings to His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, the First Lady - Hon. Janet Kataaha Musevi and their entire family and all our government leaders, His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu, the Bishops and their wives, the Clergy, Lay Readers and Christians of the Church of Uganda. I also send my sincere greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas for our Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope for the coming of the One who will save people from their sins, Jesus Christ.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!
Signed,

Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe
BISHOP OF NORTH KIGEZI DIOCESE.