Christmas is the most important and the merriest festival of the Christians, The festival of universal love is here again. Christmas, which is more than a festival is the solemn occasion to remember Jesus, his life and ultimate sacrifice and his message of compassion and brotherhood. Christmas celebrations have their own charm. A sense of joy and merriment engulfs our very being and every thing around us comes alive. Christians celebrate Christmas all over the world. Other communities also look upon it as a festival of goodwill and greetings. Dances, songs, Christmas trees, Santa Claus moving through the streets with his glittering colorful robes, glowing long white beard and shaking hand with children in the streets form the main attraction of this festival.
Shops and homes take on a festive air. Streets and markets go gay with festival wares. Families get together around sparkling Christmas trees from whose branches hang numerous lovely gifts. Christmas raises everyone's spirit. It is a hue of joy, celebration and festivity.
In Kerala, Christmas is one of the three most widely celebrated festivals in Kerala. The holiday spirit comes to life here with the twinkling stars of the sky being reborn in every street and home of Kerala as paper lanterns in multi-hues. Christmas is a truly secular festival with practitioners of all faiths coming together to live the grace of this festival of love, peace and joy to the fullest. Keralites get ready to welcome the season of joy with greeting cards that have almost become synonymous with the festival. The celebrations and preparations will start weeks before the actual Christmas day. Santa Claus and carol singers visit every home spreading the message of harmony. Kerala is not ready to be left behind in the food front either. Traditional Christmas recipes are realized into mouth watering treats and many leading hotels make an elaborate ritual of the annual fruit cake mixing in which food lovers are also invited to participate along with the chefs.
The age-old churches of Kerala hold special prayers and rituals for the faithful during this time. The midnight Mass on Christmas Eve provides a great spiritual experience.
The winter nights of December in this tropical land are cool and soothing, the perfect weather to enjoy the pleasures of a late night walk.
Related Things
Christmas Stars: -
The Christmas star is a favorite and important symbol of Christmas. On Christmas season at least one star appears on the front of every house. Also at the top of Christmas tree, Christmas cards etc. It is not only just an ornament for decoration but shining a star in our house, a small Jesus should born in our hearts and the star shines not only into our eyes but also into our hearts too. Then only the celebration of Christmas has any meaning. It is believed that when Jesus born in Bethlehem a star appeared on the sky and seeing this star the three wise men came to see the new born Jesus. The light of that star led them to the light of the world, the real Christmas Star, Jesus Christ himself.
SANTA CLAUS:- Also known as Father Christmas. Santa Claus is popular with children as a gift-giving figure. The picture coming to our mind is the jolly, chubby and plump old man, with small round belly in red suit and with flowing white beard like snow, and a bag with full of gifts on his back.
St. Nicholas is known as Santa Claus. From an early age he was pious and generous to the poor. He is specially noted for his generosity and love of children. He devoted his life to Christianity. His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. He is the patron saint of children.
It is believed that on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus rides in his flying sleigh lifted by reindeer, from house to house to give presents to kids. Santa Claus is the source of Christmas presents given to children on Christmas Day. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.
Santa Claus is known in different names in different countries but whatever it is, still the picture of Santa Claus is jolly chubby, plump old man in a red suit with snow like flowing beard coming with lot of gifts in a cart pulled by rain deer.
Christmas Tree :- is a strong symbol of Christmas. A beautifully decorated evergreen tree, with colored lights ablaze is the most beloved and well known Christmas symbols. It serves as the family’s center of attention. In fact, it is the center of most Christmas ceremonies all over the world.
The origin of Christmas tree is in Germany. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. Struck with the beauty of starlight shining through the branches of a fir tree, on night near Christmas, he attached candles to the branches of his indoor tree.
In England the Christmas tree became popular when the photo a royal family near Christmas tree, which is brought from Prince’s native land Germany, in Windsor Castle is published in a daily. It was bought to America and was famous there by 19th century. In the following decades, the tradition of Christmas trees in living rooms became popular among the rest of the population.
Traditionally Christmas tree is decorated with colored balls, angels, colourful lights, guilt ribbons, santa claus faces, stars etc. There is no any particular criterion for decorating a Christmas tree; it differs from family to family and country to country. The only thing is to make the tree beautiful.
Christmas Bell :-
Christmas bells are an integral part of the Christmas celebration. The bells announce the arrival of the baby Christ and the advent of the season. The holy tunes of the bell blend well with the mood of the season and embellish the sounds of the season. The Christmas bells adored with sequins, silk ribbons, golden strings and beads are even used to decorate Christmas trees.Christmas Cake:- Christmas is incomplete without delicious cakes. The mention of Christmas brings the sweet smell of cakes. The Christmas season brings different varieties of new cakes. These cakes are specially made for Christmas. Sure this festival is for the Christian community but other people also relish these Christmas cakes in the festive season
As the Christmas approaches, streets are spread with the fragrances of mouth-watering Christmas cakes. This intoxicating smell evokes the festive spirit in people and augments the mood of the grand fiesta. Without Christmas cakes, one cannot think of celebrating Christmas with full fervor. In most of the homes, you will find cakes on Christmas. Some pe ople prepare cakes on Christmas on their own while some people prefer to buy the cakes from the market on Christmas.
Christmas Carol:- Christmas carols say the story of Christ’s birth. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the angels sang various songs when they encountered the shepherds to tell the news of Jesus’ birth. The practice followed from then on and slowly became a tradition to sing carols on Christmas. Carols remind everyone that it’s again Christmas! – A time of singing, dancing, enjoying and merry making.
