New Delhi:
Call it X-mas, ‘Bada Din’, Christmas or just the starting of the big holiday season, it is that time of the year, when the air is filled with love laughter and sweet aroma of rum cakes. When every town is goes red and shimmers with fairy lights. Yes, Christmas is here and no matter if you were a naughty or nice kid this year, we hope that Santa Claus gifts you with bright future! This being the most important festival for Christians across the world, churches are all decked up celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the second of the Holy Trinity of Christianity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit).
Over the centuries, Christmas has become one of the biggest secular festivals to be celebrated all over the world. Not only do followers of Christianity take part in the celebrations, but non-Christians do the same. Celebrations start from Christmas Eve (December 24) and continue till Boxing Day (December 26).
According to the legend, Jesus Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem to Mother Mary and Saint Joseph. In 336 AD, Constantine the Great, a Christian Roman Emperor, declared that December 25 will be celebrated as Christmas to mark Christ’s birth. According to the Holy Bible, the virgin Mother Mary was engaged to Joseph when she miraculously conceived through the Holy Spirit. She was foretold about this by an angel of God, who further said she will name the child Jesus and he will be known as the Messiah or saviour. The shepherds were the first to see the newborn, following them, three kings from faraway lands, guided by the star of David, visited the baby and offered him precious gifts.
Christmas decorations
Pine trees are decorated with colourful bells, candles, candies, stars and gift stockings. Most of the Christmas decorations consist of four colours — red, green, golden and white, and they have some significance as well. While green denotes eternal life, red signifies the blood Christ shed, golden denotes royalty (he was known as the Son of David, the King of Israel) and white denotes peace.
