I studied in a school run by Protestants; so, for us, Christmas was always a time of festivities. Apart from the regular two weeks off at Dasara, we also got about 10 days off during Christmas, which itself was enough to induce the festive mode in all of us! The fact that most of the kids in our neighbourhood, who studied in non-christian schools, got only a day off ; was the cherry on top of the sundae of awesomeness that was Christmas break !! [dialogue credits to the Legen-wait for it -dary Barney Stintson! ]
We would have Christmas carol practice through December, with patient teachers trying to mold our unwieldy voices into a smooth chorus . Christmas celebrations in school always happened 2 - 3 days before the 25th. The day would be a half day, with a small program of a play, some carols, an unwilling guy dressed as Santa, a few boring speeches; followed by sweet distribution - and, off we went on a glorious holiday! In the true spirit of Christmas, it was a period of Joy and Happiness in our tiny little world!
Even after School, the hangover of Christmas stayed with me, and I would get a plum cake, decorate our home, and based on my economic conditions, get small gifts for everyone in my family, including Gowri, and that would be my Christmas celebration.
Coming to think of it now, I am lucky to have broad -minded parents, who did not think my Hindu-ness was threatened by my celebration of Christmas. We have an infant Jesus photo, amongst all the various idols and photos of the close-to-33 crore Hindu gods and goddesses. And, in fact, not at any point did it ever cross my mind as to why Christmas should not be as big a festival for us as Krishna Janmastami, Ganapati , Dasara, Diwali, Ugadi or Sankranti. It was , like the others, a period of Festivities and Cheer :)
Now it is Christmas again... remembering all the previous years and feeling nostalgic. Went on a trek on Tuesday - which was adventourous, and saw Avataar yesterday in 3 -D and loved it [More on this later] .. the ideal finale for the Christmas celebration would be having a break on this extended weekend, go to the Niligiris cake exhibition, get plum cake and relax at home. But, alas, it is not to be. My impending lab meet on Saturday necessiates that I work tomorrow - the first Christmas I am working , in these 25 years... ah, well, there's always a first time, and hope this is the last one too.. it is far too depressing to work when you are infused with the holiday spirit!
We would have Christmas carol practice through December, with patient teachers trying to mold our unwieldy voices into a smooth chorus . Christmas celebrations in school always happened 2 - 3 days before the 25th. The day would be a half day, with a small program of a play, some carols, an unwilling guy dressed as Santa, a few boring speeches; followed by sweet distribution - and, off we went on a glorious holiday! In the true spirit of Christmas, it was a period of Joy and Happiness in our tiny little world!
Even after School, the hangover of Christmas stayed with me, and I would get a plum cake, decorate our home, and based on my economic conditions, get small gifts for everyone in my family, including Gowri, and that would be my Christmas celebration.
Coming to think of it now, I am lucky to have broad -minded parents, who did not think my Hindu-ness was threatened by my celebration of Christmas. We have an infant Jesus photo, amongst all the various idols and photos of the close-to-33 crore Hindu gods and goddesses. And, in fact, not at any point did it ever cross my mind as to why Christmas should not be as big a festival for us as Krishna Janmastami, Ganapati , Dasara, Diwali, Ugadi or Sankranti. It was , like the others, a period of Festivities and Cheer :)
Now it is Christmas again... remembering all the previous years and feeling nostalgic. Went on a trek on Tuesday - which was adventourous, and saw Avataar yesterday in 3 -D and loved it [More on this later] .. the ideal finale for the Christmas celebration would be having a break on this extended weekend, go to the Niligiris cake exhibition, get plum cake and relax at home. But, alas, it is not to be. My impending lab meet on Saturday necessiates that I work tomorrow - the first Christmas I am working , in these 25 years... ah, well, there's always a first time, and hope this is the last one too.. it is far too depressing to work when you are infused with the holiday spirit!
2 comments:
Merry Christmas!
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