By Chol D. Johnson
Christians in Juba on Thursday took to the streets in peaceful marches to mark the Christmas season, spreading messages of faith, peace, and unity.
Singing Christmas carols and carrying banner, church members walked through Shirikat roads and residential areas, sharing messages about the birth of Jesus Christ and calling for harmony among communities.
The marches attracted attention from residents, many of whom stopped to watch and join in the songs and prayers.
Church leaders said the street processions were meant to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas and to encourage peace, reconciliation, and hope in a country still facing social and economic challenges.
“We are celebrating Christmas by taking the message of peace to the people,” one participant said. “Christ was born to bring hope, and that is what South Sudan needs.”
The marches were conducted calmly by Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) and Anglican Church of South Sudan (ACSS), with cooperation from local authorities, and ended with prayers and Christmas services at different churches across the city.
This marching is done yearly on December 24, before celebrating the birth of christ which is done the next day.
John Arok Ajak, a teacher in Joseph Anglican Church of South Sudan praised God for the wonderful day given as the birth of Jesus.
Arok urged Christians to be ready to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts.
“I urged all the people of South Sudan specially Christians to be ready to receive the Jesus Christ in their hearts” he urged.
He also appealed to people of South Sudan to reconcile and forgive each other as new year is coming after the birth of Jesus Christ.
Arok further underscored that Jesus Christ was born to free people from their sins, that is why he died on the cross.
He emphasized that he must be remembered during this festive season, and further urged people to forgive one another.
Mary Kuir Mayen, the member of St. Peter Church let Christians receive Jesus with whole the hearts.
She highlighted that through forgiveness, South Sudan would once again go to peace and will be celebrated every year.
“Through forgiveness, South Sudan will once again go to peace in which the birthday of Jesus Christ will celebrate every year with joy” Kuir added.