The Christmas season involves merry shopping, kitchen lights working overtime, gifting, and best of all, the joy of celebrating Christ. During my school days, Christmas meant an additional week of holidays during the cozy winter season.
There would be a Christmas celebration before the commencement of holidays with themes from the bible being enacted along with carols. I would be transported to the world of Jesus and mother Mary. I remember a corner at the playground devoted to infant Jesus and mother Mary. There were see-saws at a nearby distance and as I waited to be picked up after school hours, I would play gleefully with my dear friend Rathy, watching the blessed corner every now and then.
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Christmas has an aura of peace that attracts everyone to celebrate it. My daughter Rukma experienced such peace when she visited Christ in Bethlehem all alone. In the western countries, our Indian brethren can be seen keeping a sparkling Christmas tree with the traditional stocking and inviting their children to write letters to Santa. The parents then try to fulfill the wishes much to the delight of the kids. Here in the bay area of the US, I happened to take a tour of the neighbourhood along with my daughter Prithvi’s family. The unusual reason was to view the wonderful lighting done by the Christian brethren at the front yards of their houses. We saw all sorts of lighted models like the reindeer, Santa, Mickey,
Minnie, snowman and many more. We were surprised to see cut outs of Chota Bheem and his gang too! The icing on the cake was a front yard resembling a mini wonderland of lights, and had on display idols representing biblical characters with appropriate verses beneath, a giant Santa Claus, and much more! Infant Jesus in a crib with Joseph and Mary looking over had me transfixed. There was a huge glass case hosting a replica of an amusement park having numerous joy rides like the giant wheel, ropeway, merry-go-around, the 360 degree ride (known as Screaming California at Disneyland), and much more. The detailing by and patience of the house occupants were awesome.
Jesus Christ stood for love, charity, humility, forgiveness and tolerance. The spirit of Christmas lies in reviving the values that Christ symbolized. I remember the Christmas parties hosted at my friends’ houses decades ago. There would be music, dance, along with carols and best of all, the abounding joie de vivre. A dear friend, Brunda’s, house was adjoining our school. Her kitchen help would pass us – a group of six to seven high school girls – packets of freshly baked biscuits and cookies across the wall during lunch break on the day the school broke up for Christmas holidays. Years since those days I can still feel the excitement that we girls had gobbling up those goodies.
When we look at the strife on the streets and bad mouthing on social media in the name of religion, it seems deplorable since the root of every religion is grounded in truth, peace and acceptance. The numerous keys on a piano produce melodious music only when played with the correct notes. As advocated by every religious order one should encourage positive emotions in oneself and support another in distress, and the result is pure gracious harmony.
