Spirit of Christmas
Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast…
I’ve been humming this carol everyday over the last few days. Christmas is on its way and my excitement knows no bounds. I just can’t wait any longer as the enchanting spirit of Christmas is overwhelming me already.
Christmas depicts different meanings for different people. As per the gospel of Luke, it marks the birth of Lord Jesus Christ wherein an angel appeared amongst the shepherds living out in the fields and announced the birth of a saviour in the town of David.
Other than celebrating the birth of the Lord, the kids love it for a whole other reason. For them Christmas is all about Santa Claus who brings joy to their life with the beautiful presents just the night before Christmas. Unlike to the notion that Santa Claus is fictitious figure, it is actually based on a real person. St Nicholas, a Christian leader from the 4th century AD unconditionally gave his entire inheritance to help the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Obeying Jesus’ words ‘sell what you own and give the money to the poor’ faithfully. And as a mark of respect towards his philanthropist activities the tradition still follows. Though with time, the story has been entwined with several theories in various cultures.
Taking the same spirit forward, the true essence of Christmas is ‘giving’ for me as well. I always thought that the more I give, the happier I will feel. But this time I am experiencing the joys of receiving as well. A German friend gifted me an advent calendar which has to be opened on the 1st of December. The calendar has little windows numbered 1-24 and each window contains a little present behind it. It was great fun to open these little windows and receive those cute little presents. This little gesture really got my Christmas spirit racing faster than ever before.
Well I can already feel the spirit of Christmas warming up the streets of the city and at my abode as well. The shopping markets and malls already wear a festive look, decorated with Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, coloured lights and mistletoes doing their best to spread the infectious cheery spirits. And people are already geared up to buy gifts for their loved ones. Infact a popular mall, Pune Central is celebrating an eco friendly Christmas this time as all the decorations including Santa’s costume is green unlike the traditional Red colour. Christmas celebrations are in full swing even at Lifestyle, Kalyaninagar where they have a Great Christmas carnival to welcome the Holiday season.
At home, the enthusiastic preparations of the Christmas pudding as well as sweets like marzipans and culculs are already on the way. In case you can’t make the sweets yourself you can very well pick them up from Copper Chocs, Bakers Basket, Marzorin or Pastures bakery. You could also drop in at Indulgence at Koregaon Park and pick up Plum cakes, Strawberry cakes and Kiwi cakes. Kremes N Krusts at Wanowrie is known for its Yule Log Cake and its Christmas tree shaped cakes. Don’t forget to visit the good old Naaz Bakery, Camp for its popular Plum cakes or Forennte at Koregaon Park for their delicious handmade fruitcakes and mixed puddings. If you’re planning to indulge in a delicious meal this season, visit Flags-The multi cuisine restaurant. They have a Merry Month theme which promises to take you on a gastronomic journey of the world’s most delectable food and beverages for Rs. 999/- + taxes all this month.
Most of the families have already lined up to decorate the Christmas tree as well as making the crib for baby Jesus, including mine. And the highlight of the season, according to me, is definitely the ecstatic carol singing, attending midnight mass, thoughtful presents and of course meeting the vivacious Father Christmas.
So do participate in the upcoming Christmas celebrations with friends, family and loved ones around a table full of delicious food and drinks. Let the miracle season bring forth bouts of hope, love, kindness and friendship. And spread the message of cheer and goodwill which is synonymous to the season.
Wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
More articles by Ishna Nerurkar
- Pay homage to the war heroes at the National War Memorial - January 13th, 2010
- Rajni-kant take Can’t! He is the Boss! - January 4th, 2010
- Green Christmas - December 22nd, 2009
- Sketching and Painting Workshop at Aperture India - December 10th, 2009
- Achilles and Me - December 9th, 2009
Keep smiling through the season.May it bring you good cheer.