Feature

Edward Apurba Singha

Every December a historical phenomenon rejuvenates all the Christ believers to mark a grand occasion commonly known as Christmas Day. Christmas is the greatest and most spectacular religious festival of the Christian community. More than two thousand years ago on this day God sent Jesus Christ to this world to save human beings from the sin. According to the Bible, Christ is the saviour of mankind and he was born in Bethlehem.

On December 25 Christian communities around the world share feelings with the loved ones and offer prayer for the welfare of the entire human race. Nowadays, Christmas is not limited to its religious custom. This gala event now turns into a universal celebration and encompasses people from all age, race, culture and religion and this is the magic of Christmas.

In Bangladesh the Christmas frenzy starts in the first week of December. Christian populated areas in the city are nicely decorated and carol singers with their songs herald the birthday of Jesus. The local church committee forms the carol team. Basically young boys and girls who have just completed their annual exams join this team. Every team carries musical instruments and visits door to door to perform their music. This wave of music continues up to the Christmas Eve.

Exchange of gifts is one of the prime attractions of Christmas celebration. People generally purchase light gifts, Christmas ornaments and cards from the markets. Special programs start from the second week of December. At this time churches organise religious programs every Sunday. In such programs priests deliver special sermon on Gospel and analyse the life and contribution of Jesus Christ for the people. Some youth groups in different churches work rigorously to unveil their X-mas magazine or musical album.

Fivestar hotels also take part in the Christmas trend of the country. Dhaka Sheraton Hotel organises magnificent Christmas programs to entertain people. During this period Santa Clause comes to the hotel and gives chocolates and nice gifts to the children. People can enjoy special foods such as home made sweets, fruitcake, Yule Logs at the lobby café. Lavish buffet featuring roast turkey, rye bread stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce are also available from the Hotel's restaurant Bithika. On the Christmas Day this hotel also organises mind-blowing entertainment programs for the children.

Since mid December homebound people rush to end their final preparation to celebrate Christmas in their birthplaces. Most urban Christian citizens leave Dhaka within December 23. Some families also rent bus to reach their destination with a festive mode.

Before Christmas Eve all families complete their home decoration. People traditionally love to decorate their house with Christmas tree, candles, colourful papers and other ornaments. Many families display artificial star on rooftop of their building.

On the Christmas Eve people join the special prayer sessions in the church. Roman Catholic churches usually start sessions at night. On this day special meals are cooked at every household.

In the morning of Christmas Day people first go to church to pay special tribute to Jesus Christ. On this day many churches arrange feast for the members. Any person can participate to this feast by some nominal registration fees. Children on this day also enjoy the company of Santa whereas adolescents attain reunion programs to refresh themselves.

People also enjoy light foods such as pitha, paes, semai, cakes and sandwich in the breakfast, polau with different vegetables, chicken, beef, mutton, and pork in the lunch and dinner along with delicious fruits, soft drinks and ice creams. Tribal communities celebrate Christmas day in a different way than the Banglai tradition. TV channels telecast special programs and newspapers publish special supplements to disseminate the essence of Christmas.

Photo: Edward Apurba Singha

My experience of Christmas abroad

Marjana Shammi
Back from America

The thought of Christmas coming was exciting. Not for me religiously as I am a Muslim but as a child, the snow, the lighting, the chocolates, the exchange of cards with friends was exciting. Christmas was just like Eid to me. It meant buying cards for friends and even sharing little gifts for each other. Wishing in the last day of school and waiting for the New Year to come. Making snow-man, angels in the snow during the vacation was a regular thing to do. It was exciting to see how Christmas brought people together. Practically all ages were seen in the malls, shopping for gifts for friends and family before Christmas. Bells, Christmas jingles and traces of Santa Clause's replica are a common thing. It was an event in the year where you cannot cross a person without seeing a smile. I remember going to Rockefeller Center where the big Christmas tree stood every year with lighted figures of angels leaning towards it. I even enjoyed ice skating there with my sister. The neighborhood houses were uniquely decorated with lights; Santa Clause and his Reindeers on lawns with little green elves helping Santa. Just days before Christmas you would see little Christmas trees decorated with different ornaments like angels, bells, shiny balls, stars with Christmas socks above the fireplace hanged for Santa in each house. At night of the Christmas Eve, cookies and milk would be placed near the fireplace for Santa for treat. In the morning, everyone would wake up in the sight of snow and run to see what gifts Santa has brought. Christmas day would be spent with the family and friends wishing each other and eating delicious food such as Christmas pie and cookies. A Christmas dinner would be held continuing the joy of Jesus' birth with the hope of another wonderful Christmas to come. It was a day where unity was unanimous and overjoyed.