MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The celebration of birth of Jesus Christ which most Christians across the world do; popularly known as Christmas, has been business as usual in Malawi.

A snapshot survey which Maravi Post did on the Christmas Day, 25th December, of the year has indicated that most christians in the country just went to church to witness the birth Christ, but the celebration that comes with it, was not there.

When asked how he planned to celebrate Christmas, Ackim Lutepo, a Mzuzu resident, simply said he would go to church and go back home to continue with his routine duties.

No any special plans as he feels the economy is very intolerable to special Christmas plans should they include spending some money.

“Today I will just go to church and afterwards I will come back home. No real special plans for the day as you know that the economy of the country has faced nose down,” said Lutepo.

Sharing similar sentiments is Upendo Kamanga, a business lady in Nkhata Bay, who said for last year and this one, Christmas has just been a usaul business; nothing new to her because her business is faced with numerous downturns.

“When you ask me about Christmas, you better ask the same question to yourself. How do you look at it yourself? Nothing is working in this country. Maybe to those who are well connected, life is good. But to a medium scale business person like me, Christmas; both this year and last year, has not been a special day. The economy is not condusive to such a celebration. Christmas is better with money, but people do not have money. Most people, especially those in business, are complaining alot,” said visibly emotional Kamanga.

While admiring that some people looked celebratory and splashed money, buying different items from shops and flea markets, one Chikondi Selemani, a Blantyre resident, said to him, Christmas was a matter of going to church just to thank God for keeping him healthy. But for the traditional celebration that comes with it, maybe in the years to come.

“Nowadays, we just see days, months and years come and pass by. The real celebration of Christmas or New Year is never there. Most people, whether working class or not, are never satisfied with what they earn. Life here in Malawi is generally hard. You know Christmas is also about spending. So, what can one spend if what he has is only from hand to mouth? Most of us just admire others as they splash money buying this and that in big shops and markets. But the truth is Malawi is hard,” lamented Selemani.

As Christmas and New Year allow people to celebrate with their loved ones by buying different new items; food or nonfood, travelling to different places and meeting new friends, this year’s Christmas has been business as usual because of the biting economy