ZIM READY FOR CHRISTMAS
ZIMBABWE will celebrate Christmas Day with the rest of the world tomorrow.
The day is marked in honour of the birth of Jesus Christ, and is one of the most significant and popular holidays on the Christian calendar.
While the nation celebrates, many events have been organised by both Christians and non-Christians.
The Christmas season is a time for travel, shopping, parties and religious vigils for a lot of people.
It is also known as a time for giving and sharing.
Zimbabwe has a significant number of Christians.
Pastor Mncedisi Sibindi, of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, said the faithful’s major focus during Christmas is on harvesting souls.
“This year, we could not raise a lot of finances, so we had to shelve some of our plans.
“We used to celebrate this day in splendour, but we are not going to do that this year. Instead, we will have an early morning church service to welcome Christ and then go into communities, preaching,” he said.
Bishop Emmanuel Cheutare, of the Zion Apostolic Church, who believes Christmas is a time of assisting the needy, will be preaching and healing the sick.
“We have a special programme tomorrow. We will have distinct prayers and healing sessions, before having lunch at the church.”
“We are also going to have special programmes for couples. Counselling sessions will also be held,” he said.
The Apostolic Faith Mission will also be busy winning souls.
Pastor Zivanai Makamu said his assembly will conduct a church service under the theme “When God Remembers You”, which is derived from Psalms 136 verse 23.
After surviving the Covid-19 pandemic, Pastor Makamu said most followers are yet to recover financially.
“It is only this year that most people have managed to come out of the woods. We are saying Christians must be reminded of how God saved us during the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
The City of God Apostolic Church will be distributing a consignment of goods to the less-privileged members of society.
The church will also take time to pray and fellowship with the vulnerable groups as part of their drive to thank God for the gift of life.
“Our prayer warriors will not be taking a break; we are hosting an all-night prayer tonight into Christmas Day,” Priest Rodrick Chiriya, the church’s spokesperson, said.
Priest Chiriya said the church’s focus is on the less-privileged.
“In the past, church members would exchange gifts among themselves, eat and drink, as they made merry. This time, we are focusing on the less-privileged,” he said.
The Anglican Church will not be hosting a national event.
Instead, church services will be held at cluster level and will be running under different themes.
Traditionalists have also lined up Christmas activities.
Sekuru Peter Maponda, a traditional healer, said for him, Christmas Day is a time to remember his departed friends and relatives.
“We are taking this time to remember our departed friends. We believe the dead and the living have a special connection, hence the need to remember them from time to time,” he said.
Christmas commercialised
Some religious leaders, however, strongly believe Christmas has been commercialised.
Roman Catholic Priest Gilbert Singende said the commercialisation of Christmas is making it difficult for people to enjoy the commemorations.
“Christmas is now associated with spending a lot of money. As such, people are finding it hard to fully enjoy the day as they are hardpressed to find money to spend,” he said.
Prophetic Ministry International Church founder Prophet Advocate Joshua Chirambwe believes the younger generation does not fully understand the true meaning of Christmas.
“Christmas is not about drinking heavily and partaking in pleasure. Instead, it is a time to celebrate the life of Jesus,” he said.
For record producer Arnold “DJ Fantan” Kamudyariwa, Christmas Day is like any other day.
“I am fully booked this festive season and it will be work and no play. I recently got married and I was blessed with a baby girl. I need to work for my young family,” DJ Fantan said.
What they will be doing on Christmas Day
Michael Maramba, a Harare-based entrepreneur, says he will be at work on Christmas Day.
“There is life after Christmas. I have school fees to pay in January next year. I will be at work tomorrow. Every cent counts,” Maramba said.
Just like Maramba, Joseph Mutau, the
Zimbabwe Football Supporters Association secretary-general, is avoiding the excitement and euphoria associated with Christmas.
“There is no need to get overexcited. Let us avoid excessive drinking, and driving whilst drunk. I am praying for an accident-free holiday,” Mutau said.
What they said about Christmas
Dr Rebecca Chisamba (TV personality and social commentator): “I want to thank God for keeping me alive and giving me the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with others.
We lost so many souls this year. I am going to celebrate Christmas at home with my grandchildren, relatives and friends, some of whom are coming from abroad.”
Baba Harare (musician): “I am happy to be alive and I will definitely celebrate Christmas with my family. After the live shows, I will find time to go out with my family. I will also accommodate my friends and relatives.”
Silent Killer (musician): “I am definitely going to have some drinks — lots of them — with my friends, some of whom are coming from the diaspora. But before the drinking spree, I will first do some live shows.”