Christmas is the festival of happiness, joy and feasts which is observed to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. 25th December is the day which is known as the day when Jesus Christ was born to mother Mary and father Joseph at Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus was considered as the birth of a defender of mankind and people were delighted on this day. Christmas is the most important festival for the Christian society. It is celebrated with joy and happiness with several activities and events. Although Christmas is a Christian festival however the happiness and joy connected with the festival makes it a festival of numerous non Christian communities as well.
Christmas and its Importance:
The birth of Jesus Christ, who is known as the son of God, holds a significant place in Christianity. Jesus was the one who gave a new way of life to the community and saved them from their sorrows and sins. It is supposed that origin of Jesus took place at the time while the people was surrounded with a number of evils such as hatred, greed, violence, superstitions etc and he was sent to earth to protect mankind from these evils. Jesus was known as the light of the humanity and he came to save people from the darkness of sorrow, misery, ignorance etc and Christmas is the day when person welcome this great savior of mankind.
Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration:
Christmas is renowned for twelve days that is also known as Twelvetide.
- The first day of the Twelvetide is the Christmas Day, the day of the birth of Jesus Christ.
- The second day is known as Boxing Day or the St. Stephen’s Day for his martyrdom.
- The third day is renowned as Feast of St. John the disciple for his role in ‘Book of Revelation’.
- The Fourth day is the Feast of Holy Innocents.
- The fifth day is Feast of St. Thomas Becket.
- Sixth day commemorates St. Egwin of Worcester who is known as the defender of widows and orphans.
- Seventh day is famous as the New Year’s Eve.
- The eight day is celebrated to provide compliment to mother Mary.
- The ninth day of Twelvetide honors St. Basil.
- The tenth day is the day while Jesus was in the sacred temple.
- The next eleventh day is the banquet of St. Simeon.
- The twelfth day is recognized as the Epiphany Eve that marks the end of the twelve days Christmas festivity.
Christmas Celebration:
Christmas is celebrated with big enthusiasm and zeal. People all over world join in the Midnight Mass with their family. Massive feasts are organized at a number of places with tasty cuisines. Churches are enormously adorned with flowers, electronic lightings and Christmas trees on the event. Markets on Christmas get draped in colorful decorative items and lightings ranging from dazzling tinsels to colorful Christmas stars and bells. The celebration at the occasion fills the air with lots of joy and excitement. People dance, sing and enjoy the celebration with their families and friends. The buzzing sounds of church bells, tune of Christmas carols and drenching of streets with lights and fireworks embarks the humor of a festival. The delicacies of Christmas foods in India ranges from mouth watering pastries, fruitcakes and grape drinks to impressive puddings, plum cakes and rose cookies!
Christmas tree:
Christmas festivity couldn’t be complete without the Christmas tree. There is a tradition of beautify and decorate Christmas tree on the event as a sign of Christ. The Christmas tree could be a usual fir, neat or pine trees or it could be an artificial tree also. People decorate the Christmas tree with many decorative items such as gifts, balloons, stars, lights, tinsels, candies et cetera. It is supposed that Christmas trees encourage positive energy and chase out negative or evil spirits.
Santa Claus:
Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus is an essential part of Christmas. It is supposed that Santa Claus comes by riding on his sleigh that is dragged by seven reindeers and distributes gifts to kids on Christmas. Children became very excited and wait excitedly on Christmas so that they can obtain gifts from Santa. A lot of people also be dressed in the costume of Santa Claus and distribute chocolates and gifts to kids at different places.
Christmas Feasts and Delicacies:
Christmas is the fair of feasts when people get a break from their schedule work and arrange delicacies for the juncture. Every country has a particular cuisine that is ready on Christmas but cookies and cakes with different flavors are the essential part of Christmas. This is the time when family members and friends invite each other for a tasty home-made delicacies and party with them to enjoy the festival and share gifts.
Final Words:
Christmas is the fair that spreads harmony, peace and love between people. People begin the party on the Christmas Eve on 24th December by wishing Merry Christmas to everybody hoping to extend happiness and joy. It is the occasion of the season when friends and family get jointly and spread the message of peace, unity and love. Christmas also reminds us the knowledge of brotherhood, forgiveness and sacrifice as professed by Lord Jesus Christ.