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As we got closer and closer to the Christmas Day, that is 25th December 2011, many people were busy moving up and adown looking for money to buy this and that for the festive season! Of course it is not only Christians that look forward for Christmas, it is the whole world! Believe you me, the Chinese, though the majority are not Christians and may never be, are the biggest single “tribe” of people that look forward to Christmas. That is quite true, they manufacture all sorts of items ranging from clothes, toys, Christmas decorations, just to mention only a few. Nearly any affluent Christian home is likely to buy one for or the other of a Christmas decoration or gift, and all these are likely to translate into Chinese happiness! The Chinese are really like the proverbial “Coffin Maker”, he takes time to make the coffin but never uses it, and instead he makes it for others! There is brisk business in Dubai, Bangkok, Guangzhou, London, Paris, NewYork etc., all in the name of Christmas and the New Year season! Much as so many theories may exist as to the origins and selection of the Christmas day, what is for real is the fact that, 2000 years or so ago, a Baby Boy was born in Bethlehem; his birth would have an impact on the lives of mankind for ever more! I am no authority on theological matters and so, I will just restrict myself to the issues that I know best. From the time when some of us used to wander around naked or semi-naked, to when we learnt to don clothes up till now, the Christmas spirit has been on though it seems to be waning as we grow older! I don’t know whether it is the work of the devil or poverty or both but what is true is that, these days, Christmas no longer holds that magic it did when we were kids. Maybe it is because the bare truth has dawned on us! I am not trying to dispute anything about the Christmas and what it signifies, far from that; what I am really trying to talk about is the fact that, then, we were being taken care of by others and now, we have to take care of others! Am I being so confusing? Maybe not! Those days, we barely had any expenses (the parents did have), we looked forward to getting new clothes, toys (if any), eats and drink, all paid for by either our parents or returning members of the family. It is these people that “made our day”, this time round, we are supposed to be the ones to “make others’ days”, you do see the side of the coin we are now standing on! As kids, we had gotten accustomed to setting aside this and that for the festive day. The best rooster (Jogoo), the best goat, the prize bull, the best banana, etc, were all reserved for that day.In the village, it was unheard of for someone to feast on Rice and meat (read beef) unless it was a really “big” day! Most families only feasted on such items twice a year, on Easter and on Christmas. As a matter of fact, nearly two decades ago, when I had just gotten myself a job, I bought a bag of rice that I took to the village on my visit; I returned to the village nearly three months later, guess what? The bag was still sealed as I had delivered it! On questioning as to why justice had not been meted out on it, I was asked if I was out of my mind, Rice is supposed to be eaten on Christmas! With the “crise économique” hard on our heels, Christmas is just another day of hardship, when we are expected to dig deeper into our pockets in order to meet the extraordinary costs like buying new clothes for the family, sending goodies to our in-laws, contributing to our churches, buying all sorts of goodies that go with the season and most of all, partying till the new year gets here! Well, my good reader, allow me to send you part of my Love (I reserve some for myself and family) and best wishes by saying, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” Bonane (Bon Année), God Bless you all, mugire Amahoro y’Imana! Mfashumwana@fastmail.fm