Tidings of Joy & Cheer

Come December, and it is impossible to escape the approaching signs of Christmas. The roads and shops are decorated with lights, shiny tinsel and snow, artificial or real is present at every cornice and awning. By mid December, every house has a Christmas tree strung with lights and plastic or glass decoration. Many houses also have strings of lights on their garden trees or house walls.

Christmas is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Christ. The festivities of Christmas often combine the commemoration of Jesus’ birth with many secular customs influenced by winter festivals. Christmas is celebrated on 25^th December with the previous day being known as Christmas Eve and the following day as Boxing Day. The festival of Christmas has evolved and spread to such an extent that it is celebrated in most countries even by non Christians. December 25^th is a national holiday in most nations and is eagerly awaited by all.

The word Christmas is a contraction of Christ’s mass. The word is derived from the Middle English word Christemassa. Christmas in the western world is characterized by the exchange of gifts. Small children are led to believe that these gifts are from Santa Claus who watches over the actions of children throughout the year and then rewards them if they are good. Children hang stockings for Santa Claus to put their presents. And for his efforts, Santa is rewarded with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies.

Christmas celebrations begin with singing of carols on Christmas Eve and the midnight mass. The following morning that is on the 25th of December presents, laid out under the tree, are unwrapped. Curiosity and anticipation gives way to exclamations of joy and delight. The Christmas dinner is the main meal taken either at midday or early afternoon.

A typical Christmas dinner will consist of turkey with gingerbread stuffing, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts & chestnuts, parsnips with Swede, bread sauce and cranberry sauce. The scrumptious dinner is followed by a rich Christmas pudding which is a lot like fruitcake except that it is steamed not baked. There are a lot of traditions and superstitions surrounding the Christmas pudding. The most common tradition demands that each member of the house should stir the pudding mix while it is being made and drop a silver coin into it while making a wish. The people who get the silver coins once the pudding is cut are supposed to be lucky. Sometimes a thimble or a button is also added to the pudding and the person who gets it is said to remain a spinster or bachelor forever. Christmas pudding is served with a sprig of holly stuck on top of it and eaten with custard or brandy cream.

With the food finished, it is time for crackers. Christmas crackers are long toffee shaped things that burst when pulled. The crackers contain a small gift or token inside such as a toy or a crown. Christmas crackers are usually placed next to individual plates on the Christmas table.

For many nations, Christmas is the largest annual economic stimulus. Shopping for Christmas is traditionally said to begin on Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving. In many cities, it is a common sight to see shoppers lined up outside stores hours before they open.