Harare — ZIMBABWEANS today join the rest of the Christian world to celebrate Christmas with many having gone out of their way to save enough to buy at least some grocery to make sure that the birthday of Jesus Christ maintains the special favour it always has.

It is also fitting that Christmas comes a few days after Unity Day -- a day set aside to commemorate the Unity Accord signed between Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu on December 22 1987, which has come to symbolise the unity of Zimbabweans.

There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is facing hard times because of the illegal economic sanctions which are causing a lot of pain to ordinary people.

As families and friends meet, they must for a moment, shelve the problems they might have faced in order to make this Christmas holiday the success it might turn out to be.

While not everyone enjoys the festive season for one reason or another, generally, this is the time to get together and be merry.

In pre-colonial days, latish December was a good time for a break and a party, with new crops in the ground, the first fresh vegetables ready for plucking, the livestock fattened on the grass of the early rains and not too much work in hand before the first grain harvest.

Colonial times brought a special meaning to Christmas for families. Even the worst employers were usually forced to let staff go home to their families for the Christmas and so children would finally see their father and he would have done his best to bring home a few luxuries.

Independent Zimbabwe has seen the retention of both strands of tradition although nowadays a family gathering is just as likely to take place in town as on a farm.

A tradition has arisen that employers do give bonuses at Christmas, so many have a little extra cash in their pockets.

Most people look for a modest feat on the day, and always have.

Even those who have to work on this day -- doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, policemen, soldiers, bus and train drivers, water engineers and everyone else who keeps Zimbabwe turning -- try to spend at least part of the day with their families.

Let us all settle back today and enjoy the day.

Let us remember the lost and lonely and do what we can to give them at least a smile and a greeting.

Yet for many families Christmas will be a tragedy -- someone will die, someone will kill -- too many -- drink; the combination is lethal and they kill and die; as if going home was a military mission, not the beginning of a family journey.

It would be good if everyone just took things easy, relaxed and realised that they actually have all the time in the world for their journey.

There is no need to race and to kill and to die. It is simple to stay alive.

Before we get carried away by the festive mood, we should also be aware of the criminal element that thrives on the complacency of their potential victims.

At no time should homes be left unattended.

Police and neighbourhood watch committee visibility in the suburbs is thus also very crucial.

As we celebrate Christmas, it is also appropriate for everyone to continue to pray for God's guidance and prepare to face the challenges that confront us.