The Parish Priest of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Tamale, Reverend Father Boniface Masoyiri has admonished Christians in the country not to let the economic hardships they are facing prevent them from celebrating Christmas.

According to the priest, it is usually quiet at the marketplace in Tamale on Christmas Eve although that is supposed to be the time many should be shopping for the Christmas festivities.

"The market square was very empty it didn’t look like anything was going to happen the next day. And I ask myself is this not one of the Christmas we always celebrate? Because there was nothing like the usual buying and selling on this particular day," he said.

Father Masoyiri, speaking to JoyNews, stated that even Christ came into the world at a time there was suffering, hence, Christians should take a cue from that.

This year’s Christmas has been rather on a low key, unlike most other Christmas in the Tamale Metropolis where celebrants and Churches put up programmes on Christmas Eve and on Christmas day.

This mood, therefore, could not escape the lens of the Parish Priest of the St Theresa catholic church who used the sermon to encourage Ghanaians not to let the economic situation of the country affect their celebration.

Father Masoyiri revealed that aside from the low economic activities, many also skipped service on Christmas Eve.

He noted that "I was again surprised because it was only the mass servers and one Father Thaddeus who were having the procession and a few people in the choir were present. I saw nothing again but empty seats so I ask myself whether there was something corresponding to what I saw in the market."

Father Masoyiri said Christmas is a time to celebrate, adding that Christ did not come into an organized world or one that was booming with everything but one that was suffering. Therefore, moments of pain should not deter Christians from serving God.

He said Christmas should be seen as a time for family and friends to re-unite. Some parishioners who spoke to JoyNews admitted that times are hard but they will try and celebrate.