Christmas

Christmas, celebrated throughout the world as the birthday of the Saviour Jesus Christ, is the festival of universal love. Centuries passed away since the St. Thomas and the Christian missionaries set their foot ashore in this south western state and introduced the new religion of Christianity; but now Christianity is no more the religion of the foreigners.

It has intermingled with the spirit and culture of Kerala of secular India and has become the very own religion of many Keralites. Now a large number of affluent Christian Communities live in Kerala. So Christmas is celebrated in Kerala with great pomp and vigor. By celebrating the solemn festival of Christmas, the message of unconditional love, brotherhood and compassion is circulated everywhere.

There are numerous customs and ceremonies involved while celebrating Christmas. To start with there is the Christmas Star, the Christmas tree, the Crib, the creamy Christmas cake, presents and gifts wrapped in colorful papers and obviously Father Christmas or Santa Claus who is the prime attraction for children.

These little children believe that he mounts a sledge pulled by reindeer and brings beautiful gifts for children. The Christmas tree is a new add-on to Christmas celebrations in Kerala, and the sparkling and twinkling Christmas placed at the top of Christian homes or shops sets the ambience of blitheness and jollity.

In cathedrals and churches, the nascence of Jesus is acted out through small models of baby Jesus or the Babe of Bethlehem. This enactment is accompanied by melodious Christmas carols and songs of birth. Holy Mass is held by priests in churches at midnight. Before the commencement of the Mass, an image of the baby Jesus is brought out by the priest, led by children with lighted candles in their hands and then he is laid in the crib.

The crib symbolizes the stable of Bethlehem. Hymns are sung and crackers are cracked to imply the arrival of Jesus Christ into this earth. Later a grand feast with sumptuous repasts follows with merry-making.

Home-made delicious cakes are served with conventional Kerala sweets and Christmas pudding making Christmas a traditional festival of Kerala. The Kerala houses lit with little clay lamps lools beautiful and reflect the happy spirit of Christmas.