Magic spread by X-mas elements

HNS, Kathmandu: What does Christmas signify? Love, happiness, care and merriment. The occasion definitely means these to many, but there’s more. There are various elements of the festival that bring a smile to every soul. Just a simple act of helping each other while decorating the Christmas tree binds everyone with love. And every such element holds a different meaning and weaves memories. Some personalities from different walks of life share with The Himalayan Times about the magic spread by X-mas elements.

Santa Claus

He has always been a person carrying a bag full of happiness for all. I am a Roman Catholic, so we always look forward to Christmas in my family. We celebrate with good baked cakes, food and music!

For the past five years, I have been celebrating Christmas with the children that my organisation supports. We invite our friends and family to celebrate the occasion with us at our school. 

When I was a child I remember gifts coming to all the Christian boys and girls from the Roman Church. It was a happy feeling waiting for your turn to receive the gifts. Opening the gift wrapper, an amazing surprise awaited. I miss this now.

And now, I give gifts to my family, friends and the children we look after. It’s such a great feeling to see the look on the children’s face glowing with happiness. 

I believe that Santa Claus has no bar for caste, class or religion. That is my SANTA! Merry Christmas People ! — Anurag Zimba, Vocalist, Joint Family Internationale

Christmas tree 

For me it creates a picture of cowshed, snow, stars, gifts and Santa Claus and his sledge and reindeer. Christmas also represents Santa Claus and snow where pine trees grow. These pines are used as Christmas tree. It also symbolises cold weather and preparing for the occasion with the decoration at home. I grew up in Kalimpong and there were lots of pine trees near my home. I lived somewhere five to six kilometres away from the town. It was built in an elevation and pine trees grew there. So, that is how I relate Christmas tree with my life.

Our family used to decorate Christmas tree with stars and lights. We used to shred cotton and put it on the tree for that snow effect. It was a time to be together and be happy with your family. 

I also have a fond memory of making big stars out of crepe papers. We used to write ‘Merry Christmas’ on one side and ‘Happy New Year’ on the other on the star and hang it on top of the roof. It was ‘Merry Christmas’ during Christmas and we used to change to ‘Happy New Year’ during New Year. — Adrian Pradhan, Singer

Gifts

You work throughout the year and Christmas is the time to reward yourself. This time I am buying myself a guitar. But my memorable gift was from my sister-in-law (wife’s sister) few years ago. I had gone to Australia and she got me a front row ticket to U2 concert as a Christmas gift. It is my favourite concert. 

However, love and joy we share among people is important rather than material things. During Christmas, everyone is happy. Family members come together. Material things, on the other hand, come and go. 

When I was young, I used to celebrate Christmas by going to the church, participating in carol singing and learning songs. It used to be fun. 

But this year, I am busy during Christmas eve. As family is very important to me, I make sure I give them time. I have one family dinner or lunch on Christmas Day. — Sanjay Shrestha, Drummer-1974 AD, Guitarist-Joint Family Internationale

Season of giving 

This is what Christmas is all about. The festival has more to do with sharing, loving and caring — the meaning of Christmas. If Jesus Christ hadn’t been born, there would be no Christians and I would be nobody. 

I run a school. We sponsor many children who can’t afford to study or who don’t have parents. During Christmas, I collect clothes from my friends and distribute amongst the poor who don’t have warm clothes to wear. I try to do this almost every Christmas and I indulge in such activity throughout the year. 

Moreover, Christmas reminds me of my mother who is no more. She passed away in 2009. But she was an inspiration. She was a teacher and gave her 45 years to it. She devoted all her life teaching others.— Patrick Wilson, Principal, Wilson Academy

Christmas Goodies 

It is an important part of the festival. We share love with our friends and family, we give gifts to them. We also organise a feast for our staff members. It is a fellowship and it includes special food items and Christmas goodies like Christmas cake. We basically eat delicious food. Last year we had a get together and enjoyed as we made friends. During the process, we also shared love and respect. 

Jesus Christ came to this world in the form of human to save people from their sins. So, we celebrate it. Christ sacrificed himself and we pray in his name asking for forgiveness. — Ram Chandra Timothy, Managing Director, Ekta Book Store

Source: Himalayan News Service, The Himalayan Times, Nepal