Christmas

Christmas

In India, the month of December is quite cold. But it is this cold that makes merry to usher the spirit of the Christmas season. With the commencement of the Advent season, Christian’s houses all over India are decorated with holy wreaths and sparkling lights. Huge lighted paper stars hang in the front. There is a feeling of excitement in the air as Christmas time draws near. Every child waits for this season to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Their parents tell them to be as good as they could be, for only then Santa Claus will give them gifts. Great big Christmas trees are put up, all decorated with tinsel, huge red bows and flashing lights. Colourful stockings are placed around the house, ready to be filled with gifts from Santa Claus. But the most important decoration of all is the crib. A little, toy cattle shed that signifies the place where Jesus was born.

As the story goes, an infant called Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He was no ordinary baby, he was the son of God. Although he was a King, Jesus was born in a humble shed surrounded by cattle. Some poor shepherds, who were watching over their sheep, suddenly saw an angel appear! The angel told them to go, rejoice the birth of Jesus. Three wise kings, called the Magi, came from the East, following a star that they knew would lead them to infant Jesus. When they finally arrived at the stable in Bethlehem, they gave the baby the gifts that were fit for a King!

The evil King Herod knew that infant Jesus would one day destroy his greed, so he sent guards out to kill the baby. When an angel came and warned Mary, the mother of Jesus, they all left the stable and fled.

To Christians, the highlight of this Christmas celebration is the Christmas mass. At this mass, usually held at midnight, Christians gather together, light candles and sing carols and hymns, rejoicing the birth of Jesus.

To every child, irrespective of whether they are Christian or not, Christmas signifies loads of gifts from Santa Claus.

The origin of Santa Claus came from a legendary monk called St. Nicholas. He was so kind-hearted that he gave away all his wealth and travelled far and wide, helping the poor, especially little children. But he did not want anyone to know about his good deeds. So he would quietly slip gifts for little children in the night.

It is said that one day he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! Hence stockings are put up at Christmas time.

Over the years, the stories of St. Nicholas and his generosity were relayed from generation to generation. And finally became the Santa Claus we now know: The great old man with his striking white beard, dressed all in red with a huge sack of toys over his shoulder. Legend goes on to say that Santa Claus visits the houses of good children on Christmas Eve, filling their stockings with sweets and toys!

There is more to Christmas than just infant Jesus and Santa Claus. There is the big evergreen Christmas tree! Every Christian home boasts of a beautifully decorated tree. From candy canes to glitter balls, tinsel and glass beads, the tree comes alive when it is lit. And it is under this tree that everyone, young or old, would find their gifts.

The Christmas spirit deals with the Universal theme of love, joy, peace and prosperity. Hence Christmas time is all about loving one another and spending time with the family.

It is about sharing and caring for the poor and the sick. It is a time to give rather than to receive, even if itisjustasmile.

This Universal theme of Christmas, combined with the glee of receiving gifts, has made Christmas a very popular festival across the length and breadth of India.

Throughout the country people play Christmas carols, put up stars, light different shapes of candles, specially designed for the occasion, and decorate Christmas trees to usher this season of joy and happiness. Not surprisingly, most people wish that it could be Christmas all through the year.