KIGOMA: CHRISTIANS and Tanzanians at large have been called upon to uphold faith, unity and righteous living as they celebrate Christmas and prepare to usher in the New Year 2026, with church leaders emphasising that the birth of Jesus Christ carries a powerful message of love, justice, peace and moral renewal.
At the National Christmas Mass held at Bikira Maria Mshindaji Church in Kigoma, Bishop of the Diocese of Kigoma, Joseph Mlola, urged believers to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ particularly peace, love, humility and unity as the foundation for national prosperity and global harmony.
He also called on Christians to submit themselves to God, following the example set by Jesus Christ during His lifetime.
“Let us receive, understand and live by the teachings of Jesus. When we are entrusted with various positions in our societies, we should remember that leadership is about service,” Bishop Mlola said.
He noted that Jesus came to serve rather than to be served, calling on believers to practise humility, compassion and selflessness in their daily lives.
“This is an invitation to all of us to be humble, sympathetic and to prioritise services that truly matter to the public,” he said.
The Bishop added that Christmas symbolises God’s preference for submission over arrogance, love over hatred and service over domination.
“Today we celebrate Christmas, the day that God chose submission over arrogance, love over hate and service over ruling. The birth of Jesus Christ in humble conditions teaches us that true greatness comes from kindness, compassion and serving others,” he said.
Bishop Mlola further explained that Christ came to guide and transform people’s lives, leading them closer to God.
“He came to establish God’s kingdom, which is founded on justice, peace, unity and love. His birth marks the beginning of our complete emancipation,” he said.
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Meanwhile, delivering his Christmas message, Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa, said the birth of Jesus Christ represents the greatest expression of God’s love to humanity and should inspire believers to reflect that love through worship, good deeds and national cohesion.
“The coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a great gift from God, founded on His love, so that those who believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life,” Bishop Malasusa said.
Reflecting on the year 2025 as it draws to a close, Bishop Malasusa said Tanzanians have witnessed God’s protection and blessings despite various challenges encountered throughout the year. He added that some hardships were allowed to strengthen believers spiritually and prepare them for greater responsibilities ahead.
“Even where there were pains and trials, these experiences should prepare us to be better witnesses in the coming year,” he said.
He called on the Church and the nation to remain united, grounded in justice and love, stressing that genuine faith must be demonstrated through actions that benefit others and strengthen society.
“Let us not live for ourselves alone. Justice, good deeds and love should reach others, so that we become true agents of peace and righteousness,” Bishop Malasusa said.
He further urged believers to make 2026 a year of deeper worship, devotion and engagement with the Word of God, despite the pressures and demands of modern life. Similarly, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, Reverend Jude Thaddeus Ruwa’ichi, called on Tanzanians to live as people of justice during the Christmas season in order to safeguard peace in the country.
Archbishop Ruwa’ichi made the remarks while delivering his homily during the Christmas Eve (Noel) Mass held at St Joseph Cathedral in Dar es Salaam.
“During this period of Christmas celebrations, Christians, Dar es Salaam residents and Tanzanians at large are required to be people of justice,” he said.
He explained that justice goes beyond laws and regulations, describing it as the ability and willingness to recognise what others deserve and to respect human dignity.
“Where there is no justice, there can be no lasting peace,” he emphasised, adding that Jesus, whose name means “God who saves,” is the true embodiment of justice and mercy.
Meanwhile, during a Holy Night service at the ELCT Azania Front Cathedral, Assistant Bishop and Dean, Reverend Chediel Lwiza, described Jesus Christ as the miraculous Son of God whose birth defies natural laws.
“Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, different from ordinary human beings, because in Him is life itself life that comes from God,” Rev Lwiza said. He noted that Christmas should be celebrated as a living testimony of the Word becoming flesh, stressing that without the Word of God, there is no true life.
In Kilimanjaro Region, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Moshi, His Eminence Ludovick Joseph Minde, warned that the erosion of morals in society is largely caused by a lack of fear of God.
Delivering his Christmas homily at Christ the King Cathedral in Moshi, Bishop Minde said many practices witnessed today contradict good morals, a situation he noted is worsening, particularly at the family level.
“The world is now witnessing many things that are contrary to good morals, which indicates that people no longer have the fear of God,” he said.
He observed that many parents today are distant from their children, leaving young people without guidance on right and wrong, a situation that exposes them to moral confusion and harmful choices.
Bishop Minde also raised concern over the declining respect for the institution of marriage, noting the rise of cohabitation and unstable marriages due to inadequate moral upbringing.