admin
Tawanda Matanhire Lifestyle Reporter
Every Christmas since 1955, the Rotary Club of Harare has hosted a Carols by Candlelight evening in Harare that has remained popular and has reflected the generosity of the people of Harare.
Under the theme “Be a Gift to the World” Rotary Club of Harare this year stages its annual Carols by Candlelight on Friday November 27 at Prince Edward School.
Christmas is when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as they come together on December 25. As Christians from all over the world are preparing for Christmas celebrations, many initiatives are being made to bring the cheer and comfort as well as show love for human kind, which was shown by God through the birth of Christ.
The president for The Rotary Club Joyce Benza said that it is an opportunity for underprivileged children to have fun as they mix and mingle with members of the society.
“We have love for the less privileged children in our society and they should come along to interact as well as recap on the birth of Jesus Christ,” Benza said. Children will light candles at the beginning of the event to give the night a candlelight aspect, which will usher people into the carols as well as Bible reading at different intervals.
“We have invited several guests to grace the event that will start at 6pm on the day,” Benza said.
Guests should expect popular songs like Jingle Bells, Hark the Angel Sings, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Oh Holy Night, Silent Night, We Wish you a Merry Christmas and many more that will lighten up the night.
Amongst the groups to perform for at the carols are Holy Name Roman Catholic church, Interacts made up of high school children, Rotaract Club and others.
As a norm every Christmas, children present for the carols will be treated with sweets and biscuits by Father Christmas .
All people around the city are invited at the event and if they are willing to give donations for the children, they are welcome.
“We appeal to adults as well as children to come and grace the day as we are looking forward to the Christmas day for it is for everyone,” Benza said.
Many charitable organisations give to the poor and elderly in their communities so that Christmas carries a meaning to them as they extend a hand to the needy.
The Rotary Club is one such organisation which for years has contributed to the wellbeing of the less privileged and as such all proceeds they get from the event will be channelled towards children’s homes in Harare.
In a bid to find out what people think about Christmas this writer went around the Harare talking to various people.
“Christmas is a time for us to be together as a family as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ ,as such we celebrate the life that he came to give us and appreciate his purpose in our lives,” Nobuhle Ncube said.
“I am glad for such a day because it makes me recall on my purpose for living,” said Tatenda Mahusekwa from Glen View.
“When Jesus came he gave me his nature while I was a sinner and now I am saved so Christmas brings reverence to my life as I enjoy the day with my loved ones,” said popular gospel artist Flem B who will also be travelling to Nigeria to take part in the Christmas Carols.
“This is a time for giving as God gave us his son to die for our sins so we should dedicate this day to showing love and sharing especially with the elderly and the poor in our society,” Mr Kupfuma from AFM Church said.
People also exchange gifts as a way to express love on Christmas day. Many prepare special meals which they share as families.
Musicians from different parts of the world give special renditions for Christmas day to soothe and entertain people as they converge in different venues across the globe.
Christians get to enjoy the joyous music as they are ushered into that special day.Many spend it feasting and drinking for reasons which mostly are not connected to the Bible aspect .
This is the time of the year when you will most probably see people thronging in public hang outs and beer halls. Many people spend a lot of their hard earned money on luxuries just for the season only.
Online Reporter