CHRISTMAS 2020
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus and a cultural holiday non-Christians on December 25, celebrated the world over and famed for its decorations and Santa Clause. The Christmas means “Feast day of Christ”.
History:
The first Christmas was celebrated in 336 A.D. in Rome. It played a very important role during the famed Arian controversy that took place in the 300s. During the early years of the middle age, epiphany overshadowed it.
During the 17th century, the Puritans had Christmas banned because it was associated with drunkenness and different other misbehavior.
It was made a proper holiday around 1660 but was still quite disreputable. Around the early 1900s, the Oxford movement of the Anglican Communion church started and this led to the revival of Christmas.
The Origin of Christmas Evening
For centuries, Christmas was celebrated not as a single day, but as a whole season in parts of the world, beginning with this day, December 24, Christmas Eve. Perhaps the practice of celebrating the evening before the big day is an echo from the ancient Jewish reckoning. Among earlier Jews, a day began at six in the evening and ran until six the following evening. Had not Moses written: "An evening and a morning were the first day"?
Ancient Traditions
Evergreen Trees were the symbol of eternal life.
Candles are a picture that Christ is the Light of the world.
Holly speaks of the thorns in His crown.
Red is a colour of Christmas that speaks of Christ's blood and death.
Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus.
Mistletoe was an ancient symbol from the Roman times.
Bells are associated with ringing out news. Christ is the good news, the best news of all.
How Christmas Is Celebrated In Different Parts Of India
It's the most delightful season of the year! During Christmas, for a few weeks every year, the world transforms into a magical wonderland. The Christmas routines in India are just like every else in the world; pompous, satisfying, and promises an abundance of joyful fun.
Christmas celebrated in Odisha:
Churches across Odisha were decorated with lights, candles, Christmas trees, and bells. Decorating a Christmas tree is one of the most interesting parts of the festival. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conveyed his warm greetings on Christmas Day.
Besides the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Christmas was celebrated in a big way in the districts of Gajapati, Kandhamal, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and other places where Christians live in large number.
Christmas In Kerala:
In Kerala, where 19% of the state's 35 million residents are Christians; Christmas is celebrated in much pomp and grandeur than any other place in India. most of the stores in Kerala are loaded with creative and diverse Christmas merchandises. In addition to that, people make traditional cribs in their homes and churches, owing to the local custom.
Christmas In Chennai :
In Chennai, it is a tradition to venture into Christmas excursions organized by several churches. Chennai is habitually hot and humid round the year, so not many tourists visit the city.
In Bangalore:
Christmas illustrations start a week before Christmas. Families decorate their residences with lots of fairy lanterns and bright displays. The next day of Christmas, i.e., on Boxing Day, friends and family usually meets up to exchange gifts.
Christmas In Mumbai :
Streets in Mumbai often decorate with festive embellishments during Christmas. However, in Mumbai, small Christmas trees are typically put up and decorated homes on the eve of 24 December.
Christmas reminds us of the importance of giving and sharing with friends and family. Christmas is such a festival which people from all religions and faith celebrate worldwide despite it being a Christian festival. It is the essence of this festival, which unites the people so much.