By Mike Rwothomio

As the faithful gathered to rejoice in the birth of the Messiah, church leaders in Zombo District delivered anointed Christmas messages emphasizing victory over poverty through faith, diligence, and reliance on divine grace.

Believers were fervently urged to trust in Almighty God and engage in spiritual warfare against poverty, that they might experience the abundant life promised in Christ Jesus (John 10:10), enabling heartfelt worship and glorification of the Lord.

In powerful homilies, clergy rallied the congregation to conquer poverty through Godly labor, warning that the adversary deploys the spirit of poverty to erode hope, severing souls from intimate fellowship with God.

Rev. Rwothomio Isaac , Parish Priest of Paidha Town Parish, Goli Central Archdeaconry, Nebbi Diocese, urged the assembly to toil diligently and overcome poverty "to live in true freedom under God's sovereignty."He declared.

"When poverty grips you, powerlessness follows, and the devil exploits this weakness. Use the strength and vitality graciously given by God to work hard, vanquishing poverty and claiming your spiritual independence."

Delivering his Christmas homily themed "Hallelujah, God with His People", inspired by Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 10:18-20, where Christ affirms authority over Satan and bestows it upon believers, Rev. Rwothomio called for embracing God's presence through the Incarnation, reminding the faithful of their God-given dominion to triumph over evil forces.

He encouraged using this holy day to "grasp the truth of salvation," for Jesus came purposefully to liberate humanity from captivity (Luke 4:18-19).

Rev. Rwothomio further warned believers to remain vigilant, "with eyes spiritually awakened," as the devil prowls relentlessly seeking ruin. He advised against preoccupation with carnal desires or material excess, instead advocating soul preparation through righteousness, love, and humility.

At Christ the King Catholic Church in Paidha Town, Rev. Father Francis Ledhi addressed hundreds at the Christmas dawn Mass, imploring them to "reject immorality and embrace industrious living," while cautioning against lavish spending amid festive preparations.

Faithful Respond with Joy and Resolve

Ivan Mungujakisa, from Pakadha Church of Uganda in Abanga, shared post-service experience, urging brethren to celebrate in peace and fiscal prudence, mindful of upcoming school demands.

Abednegu Godson of St. Paul Church Mvungu l, affirmed the preaching on poverty, noting its destructive pull away from devoted discipleship in Christ and the Church.

Good luck, a believer at St Paul church Mvungu said" its true poverty is being used by devil to demoralized believers, we need to work hard to fight poverty"

The celebration at St. Paul Church of Uganda, Mvungu, in Paidha Town Parish, was enlivened by a spirited choir performance, elevated by a newly acquired bass guitar, filling the packed sanctuary with melodious hymns of praise.

"Always stand ready to serve the Lord, for we have every reason to rejoice in His Nativity," Rev. Rwothomio concluded, yet reminding the faithful of the enemy's opposition to God's children.

Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua echoed calls for believers to draw nearer to Christ in remembrance on this blessed day, while urging vigilance for personal security.

Christmas is primarily a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, described in the New Testament as occurring in Bethlehem. The name "Christmas" derives from "Christ's Mass," referring to the church service celebrating his nativity. While the exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown (likely in spring), December 25 was officially set in the 4th century by the Roman Church, possibly to align with existing festivals.

Rev. Isaac Rwothomio, the Parish Priest of Paidha Town Parish, delivered his Christmas surmon at St Paul church of Uganda Mvungu in Paidha town council on December 25, 2025.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub