Festive spirit soaring high

The festive season is upon us and the mood is contagious. Christmas, a primary festival in the Christian calendar, brings a gift or two for everyone. And the dipping temperatures have only added to the spirits of youngsters. The first mention of December 25 occurred in 336 AD in an early Roman calendar and marked the birth of Jesus. Ever since, this day is celebrated with gifts, fables and good tidings. A secular country like India has made a lot of room for this festival and people belonging to all religions join in.

Young Hans spoke to few youngsters on their plans for this Christmas. “I am still excited about Christmas as I was when I was a five-year-old boy. I am planning to spend this time with my family and friends. We will call our friends over and celebrate together,” says, Joseph Onesimus, an architecture student.

Caroling plays a significant role in this season. People group together and go to door to door singing carols. “We have a group of students and youngsters. We go around the colony and visit each house to sing carols. This is fun and at the same time it keeps the spirit alive of the festival,” says a joyful K Esther, a degree student.

There is a beeline for travel tickets as many people are homeward bound to celebrate the festival with loved ones. “My family stays in Vijayawada and every year I make sure that I celebrate the festival with my family. We start our day with prayers and feast for rest of it. I feel it is the best part of the year,” says Karun John, a corporate employee.

The mighty Christmas tree

With the festival fast approaching, everybody has geared up to decorate the Christmas tree, a tradition that dates back to centuries. According to one belief, Scandinavians and Germans hoisted evergreen trees inside their homes or outside to welcome the spring. Another story says that a group of people in Estonia erected the Christmas tree during their holiday season. Members of the group danced around it, a celebration which was passed down to the next generation.

The contemporary Christmas tree evolved from these traditions. It is an evergreen coniferous tree, which is brought home and decorated with ornaments, trinkets garlands and lights. The tree symbolises a living Christmas spirit and brings the pleasant aroma of forest hone. Many shops in Hyderabad have put up Christmas tree outside their stores.

Usually, families put up Christmas trees a week before the day of the festival. Trees decorated with sweets, apples and nuts are reserved for children. “We decorate the tree with candy, stars and presents. Our family goes together to buy the decorations. Me and my sister also fight over how to decorate it,” says, Rohan Mathews, a management student.

“I do not know about the history of the Christmas tree but I love to decorate it. I use lights, small boxes with presents, bells and candy to decorate it”, says John Beniltus, software employee.

“The Christmas tree is the central part of our celebration in our family. We gather around the tree and exchange gifts. We make sure we are with our families during Christmas time. The whole environment becomes so festive,” says Dominic Savio, a corporate employee.

Many people buy artificial trees readily available in the market as real trees need cold climate to grow. Whether the Christmas tree is natural or plastic, it still enjoys the air of festivity around it.

By:Navin Pivhal