Page 18 - IAV Digital Magazine #584

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Christmas is one of the most important festivals of people who follow Christianity. The festival is celebrated on 25th of December every year and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. People world- wide have great attraction towards this festival. Christmas is declared as a gazetted holiday in India and people, irrespective of their caste and religion cel- ebrate this festival with great zeal.
Christmas Eve is celebrat- ed just the night before Christmas. The eve is cele- brated by observing sever- al customs and traditions. One of the most popular practices, which is followed even today is participating in the Midnight Mass Church Services. In most of the Catholic countries such as Italy, Poland, Spain, Mexico, etc this is one of the most important services of the Christmas season. Some even fast and some avoid non-vege-
tarian food during Christmas Eve and the main Christmas meal is eaten after the Midnight Mass Church Service. Even today, Christmas Eve has special recognition and people get excited for the main celebration from mid- night
Christmas Bells, especially church bells have special significance associated with Christmas since ages. In Catholic and Anglican Churches that have bells are usually rung to signify the start of the Christmas service. Christmas tree is another important part of the festival. A huge fir or pine tree is decorated and placed at the main entrance or at the place where it can be easily located. Different people may decorate the tree in different manner. Some use chocolates, small gift boxes, bells, etc but the colorful and twinkling lights are the main attractions of the decoration.
Christmas is celebrated in different manner in different countries. In India, people have great interest for this festival. The entire city gets decorated and people meet each other in order to enjoy this festival. Some Christians make the tradi- tional Christmas pudding and by eating this pudding, they mark the end of the celebration. People throw party at homes or offices; wear new clothes and exchange gifts and sweets with each other. Christmas is also celebrated with great zeal at schools; kids are asked to dress up in red and white, a school staff would imitate ‘Santa Clause’ and give away chocolates and sweets to children. Christmas is also an important festival for the non-Christians as after a week ‘New Year’ arrives. Thus, the entire 15 days people remain involved in feasting, enjoying and merry-making.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine