Merry Christmas!
Can you believe it is
already the end of the year? November
sneaked up way too fast! This is a time of year that people are doing a lot of
searching online. They are looking for the perfect gift, fun activities and
traditions for their family,
scrumptious dinner recipes, and fun party ideas.
Christmas is an annual festival
commemorating the birth of Jesus
Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural
celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to
the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and
initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide
includes an Octave. The traditional Christmas narrative,
the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies;
when Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no
room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming
this news to shepherds who then disseminated the message furthermore.
Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated religiously by the vast
majority of Christians, as well
as culturally by a number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the
celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on
December 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and
sharing a traditional meal with the family.
Although it is not known why December 25 became a date of celebration, there are several
factors that may have influenced the choice. December 25 was the date the Romans marked as the winter solstice, and Jesus was identified with the Sun
based on an Old Testament verse. The date is exactly nine months
following Annunciation, when the conception of
Jesus is celebrated. Finally, the
Romans had a series of pagan festivals near the end of the year, so Christmas may
have been scheduled at this time to appropriate,
or compete with, one or more of these festivals.
Christmas traditions are of several
types. These traditions are different in different times, places, cultures and
even families. The giving
of gifts at Christmas comes from
several different ideas. One is that God gave his son, Jesus, to the world at Christmas. There is also the
story of the Wise Men who came to the baby Jesus with three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. For many centuries it
has been the custom for people to give small gifts at Christmas, and also to
give generously to the poor and needy to help them through the winter. Another
tradition has become linked to this one, and the result is the tradition of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas
as he is sometimes called, and who is nowadays thought by many children to be
the bringer of presents and happiness.
Christmas is the season for peace,
joy and fellowship with family and friends. May the yuletide spirit fill your
heart and home with an abundance of mercy, contentment, laughter and harmony.
It is the season for giving and remembering
and sharing the love. Christmas is a
time when we take stock of our blessings and reach out to those who have
touched our lives.
The best of the Christmas season to you. As you celebrate
the miracle of this special season, may your heart be filled with joy and
peace. May these holiday blessings linger in your home and stay with you
throughout the year!
By:
Diksha Vijayvergia
Department of Finance
(2016-2018)
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