Merry Christmas To All - Welcome You, Santa !!!

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        Finally its the last week of this year and decade. A wonderful year of 2010 is coming to an end which showed us so many things (latest being WikiLeaks ;-) ). The last week of every year has one charismatic festival which I don't think you would have found difficult in figuring out. Merry Christmas to all of you. Christmas is a beautiful festival celebrated by Christians and all the followers of Jesus Christ. Christmas signifies the birth of Jesus Christ. Now a days Christmas is not only confined to Christians but by other religious and pious people too. I'm a Hindu and I am as enthusiastic as Christians for this festival. Jesus Christ is not only associated with Christians as the English Calendar which is followed globally is based on his birth. The Hindu Calendar and Islamic Calendar are followed by their followers itself but the Christian Calendar is followed by each and everyone so the importance of Jesus Christ and Christmas is very close to each and everyone in the world.

             I had two Christian friends in my childhood - Juby and Pranjali. They have been two important friends in my life with whom I have passed many years and there has been no personal issues. Both of them has given me a good face of Christians and showed me that Christians are wonderful and prosperous. There are lots of Christians in Southern part of India and we all know that the literacy rate is awesome and therefore I have a good image of Christians that they are quite intelligent and genius (but Juby you weren't. Don't be happy). The Fathers in the Church also looks smart and decent. In short, I never had a bad experience with Christians. They are awesome. 

             Christmas is also known as Christ's Mass, Nativity, Noel and Feast of the Nativity. It is celebrated by Christians and many Non-Christians (I am one of them). The significance of the festival is the traditional birth of Jesus. The date for Christmas is 25th December but it is celebrated on January 6th in Armenia and January 7th in a minority of Eastern Orthodox Churches. The observances on the day of Christmas are Gift-giving, Church services, Family and other social gatherings and symbolic decorating including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. It is related to Annunciation, Advent, Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord.

               Children and kids are the biggest fan of this festival. Nowadays Holi and Diwali are considered to be hazardous for environment so the craze for these festivals are reducing day by day. Eid is something which is not celebrated in an entertaining way from the point of view of children. But the festival of Christmas is the most awaited festival for children as they expect their Santa Claus to gift them their dream gift or toy. I remember my childhood when our class teacher used to ask us to write a gift which we want Santa Claus to present to us. I used to write and a man in the disguise of Santa Claus used to come and gift everyone of us the same gift which we demanded from him. I used to be very happy and astonished that how do Santa come to know about my gift. For the next 10 to 12 years I thought the same thing that Santa used to bring it for me by paying it from his pocket-money. The truth was revealed when I was in 10th std and my neighbor bought a Ludo set for her child to give to the teacher of the school. I asked what is this for and she told about the same chit which the child filled on the demand of teacher and the same gift which she bought will be given to teacher and teacher will hand to the man who comes in the disguise of Santa Claus. I was shocked but the concept is so sweet which makes this festival special for all the children in the world.

                  I wish everyone a very happy Christmas. Enjoy as much as you can. Eat as much cakes as you can. I am already presented cake by a Mr. Varghese here who is the only Christian here in contact. Thank you sir. And we are having a non-veg celebration tomorrow as the celebration of Christmas.

                 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!

             Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU