Christmas
Christmas is believed to be a western festival. There have been age long
debates on whether or not India had Christianity as a religion before the
European invasion. Whichever be the case, it seems easier to believe that
Europeans brought Christianity to the country. However, even if it did exist
before they came, surely the customs must not have been similar as that of
the Europeans.
Today what we see, especially in urban India, is without doubt an adaptation
of the western celebration; in an Indianized way. But wherever it came from,
it brings us a time of sheer happiness and togetherness. Celebrated on the
25th day of the month of December every year, Christmas is celebrated with
much pomp and show. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ, savior of mankind.
History
Christmas is signified as the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was
believed to be the son of God, born as a human. The story goes back to the
first book in 'The Bible' where Adam and Eve committed their first sin. The
only consequence of sin was death. It was then told by God that a savior
will be born to save humankind from sin. Birth of Jesus Christ is most
important event in the entire Christian mythology. This is why Christmas is
said to be the only festival of the Christians.
According to the Bible, Mary was engaged to marry Joseph who was a
carpenter. But one day an angel visited her and told her that she will
conceive a child and she is to name him "Jesus". He was born near a village
called Bethlehem. Since they were traveling at that point of time, they had
no place to stay. So Jesus was born in a stable nearby. The western, which
is the universal, dating system, is based on this very event. B.C means
Before Christ and A.D. meaning Anno Domini which means "the year of our
Lord" according to the Gregorian calendar. So 2000 A.D. mean 2000th year of
our Lord. Stating this against the secular nature, today the international
use of this system has been rejected. It is replaced by C.E. and B.C.E.
(Common Era and Before Common Era).
Celebrations and Rituals
Christmas is the season of holiday in most countries. In Europe it is also
the season of shopping. People shop like crazy during Christmas. That is why
it is also the season of gifts! It is time to get together and spend some
quality family time. The celebrations start on Christmas Eve, otherwise, the
evening before Christmas. People usually sit up till 12 to wish each other
"Merry Christmas!"
The house is decorated with Christmas tree, bells, angels, lights and so on.
Christmas morning all the children run to the Christmas tree to find the
gifts that "Santa Clause" might have left for them. People make tarts and
cakes. Plum cakes are the most famous during Christmas. Indian urban
celebrations might vary a little in terms of food and clothing, but the
spirit of the festival more or less remains the same. In Hindi, Christmas is
known as Bada Din.
Commonly Celebrated
The exact date and month of the birth of Christ is not known to anyone. But
owing the importance of the event in Christianity it was given a date.
December 25th is celebrated as the birthday of Christ. Christmas was
dominantly celebrated in the West. But today, it is celebrated throughout
the world in many different ways.
All regions put their own flavors together with the conventional rituals and
celebrate Yuletide in their own unique way.
Sources: festivals.indobase.com
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