Celebrate Christmas differently this season
Christmas is defined as a time for family, sharing and caring. It is also a time through which togetherness can strengthen family bonds, making the festivity more memorable each year. In this article, Paida Mpaso, explores some of the best ways of celebrating Christmas pricelessly.
Christmas is a time filled with excitement, love, huge spending and sharing of gifts.
Over the years, Christmas has become a much commercialised holiday. In the rush to buy presents and outdo last year’s gift giving, pastors believe many people tend to submerge the true meaning of Christmas.
Aside from big dinners and expensive gifts, Pastor Sithembile Chitsokwe of the Jesus on Rock Ministry says there are other ways of celebrating this important event in the Christian calendar that reflect its true meaning.
“The aim is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I know people may argue that it is not the actual day Jesus was born, but does it matter? What matters is the love and the sharing spirit within us. Most importantly, let us enjoy and forget the expensive things we buy. Let us stay together as one family and people created by one God,” she said.
According to her, the focus that Christmas celebrations have taken seems to be on extravagance such as parties and gifts.
“We need to do more and concentrate on the meaning of Christmas. People need to go to church, regardless of whether one is a Christian or not,” she says.
Mother of three Jean Banda says Christmas to her is all about being together and exchanging love. She says while gifts play a vital role in strengthening the love, there are some people who cannot afford them.
“So does that mean Christmas did not take place if people do not exchange gifts? No. There are other people who really struggle and I think what matters is being there for one another and loving each other. As for me, I will be there for my children, cook for them a nice meal, tell them the history of Christ and of course go to church,” said the former secretary.
In Area 18 C, single mother of two, Rabecca Thom, says: “I know the season of Christmas is here, but I sell tomatoes and what I will do is to be with my children. I will go and sell my tomatoes in the morning and by eleven, I will make sure I am home to make my children something to eat,” she said.
