Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa

By Guardian on Sunday correspondent

As Christians across the country join their fellow believers in the world to celebrate Christmas Day, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa has said Tanzanians need to turn to God to avoid the evil that is now engulfing the nation.

He said despite its stability, Tanzania has been haunted by corruption, drug trafficking, witchcraft, embezzlement of public funds, poverty and low quality education in the past 50 years.

As part of his Christmas message, Dr Malasusa referred to the malpractices as serious setbacks to national development, and called on Christians to turn to God to avoid the evils, Christmas is about God’s love to mankind and that the latter should treat one another keeping that in mind.

Dr Malasusa said with the birth of Christ mankind is certain of deliverance and called on his believers to welcome Christ in daily life in order to inherit eternal salvation. He appealed to Christians to be true followers of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

While the Tanganyika Independence Diamond Jubilee celebrations are fresh in the minds, Bishop Malasusa asked Lutherans to celebrate Christmas and New Year holidays keeping in focus the church’s own 50th birthday in June 2013 and prepare for it.

The ELCT leader reiterated his call for church members to participate in the process of writing a new constitution, giving views that would lead to the passing of appropriate legislation for the good of the nation.

According to Bishop Malasusa, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of followers of the Lutheran Church in the country and that ELCT is the second largest Lutheran congregation in the world.

Meanwhile, Christmas celebration in the country has been received with different feelings. While some people are uncertain of their shelter following the heavy floods that engulfed Dar es Salaam city a few days ago, others are grateful that they have lived to see the day.

With a broad smile on his face David Yusufu affirmed Christmas to him means only three words, the Savior is born. He would love to have an extravaganza party to celebrate the day, but he nevertheless is grateful to God that he is healthy to celebrate the day.

The 65-years-old Yusufu said as part of celebration, he expects his wife, who was in Morogoro taking care of the farms, to join him in Dar es Salaam late on Saturday. Although they have not yet planned for the meal for Christmas, they would have just a simple meal like roast cassava and some sweet potato leaves for lunch.

“My first Christmas celebration was back in 1956 when I was only 10 years old. I remember it very well since it was the year that I was baptized. It was through the baptism teachings that I learnt about the purpose of Christ’s birth, something which has ever made me appreciate dearly the Christmas festival,” added Yusufu. Despite his disability, which has rendered him a beggar at the gates of St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Yusufu has learnt to thank God for everything.

“The festival seasons like these are especially important time for me to sit down and thank God for his provision in my life.”

“Like today (Saturday), I think I will go back home early, around 2.pm since I have got some pretty enough money to buy food to eat with my wife. Usually I leave here around 6pm, but so far I have earned enough money to go back home early.”

The year 2011 has never been easy to Tanzania. The country experienced some of the worst tragedies ever experienced in its history. Early in February, the military base at Gongo la Mboto area exploded leaving many people without residence while a number of others died.

Seven months later, in September, MV Islander capsized in the Zanzibar waters, claiming more than 3,000 lives of people who were on board. While that memory is still fresh, in less than five days to X-mass, heavy rain that resulted into massive floods ever experienced in more than 50 years, claimed close to 40 lives and left many others without shelter.

Following the three big tragedies that struck the country this year’s Christmas will never be the same to many people. To some individuals, perhaps the dinning time might refresh the memories of their loved ones who they would love to share the Christmas celebration with.

Polycarp Cardinal Pengo will conduct Christmas Eve Mass at the Msimbazi Catholic Church and at national level Christmas High Mass will be conducted in Tabora by Bishop Paul Luzoka at Saint Theresa Church.