XMAS - HARBINGER OF JOY ‘Tis the time to be merry
THE jingling of bells and the impeccably adorable decoration in homes and shops indicates Christmas Day, and Santa Claus, the name that has been given to the harbinger of happiness and joy, adds the special element of innocence to our life.
Today, the hearts of the people are filled with excitement and joy, as the preparation for Christmas are in full swing. People have decorated Christmas trees with ornaments.
They will welcome guests, bake cakes and cookies, sing carols, and exchange gifts.
This day is eagerly looked to by millions of people. For about a month, shops have been advertising the sale of gifts and Christmas goodies.
Apart from celebrating Christmas at home with their loved ones, Fijians would have traveled to the islands and villages to be with their extended families.
The spirit of sharing and caring will be the highlight. On the other hand the COVID-19 pandemic, which derailed economies, had a negative impact on many.
With the escalating cost of living, the Christmas mood would have been dampened. However, let’s not let that affect the positive vibes that surround this year’s Christmas.
Religious significance of Christmas
According to MSN, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a cultural and commercial phenomenon.
For years, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.
Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion.
Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.
According to Christians, we celebrate Christmas because the birth of Jesus Christ was good news.
The birth of Jesus caused great joy. We celebrate Christmas because a Savior was born, and he would deliver us from sin and death.
We celebrate Christmas with gift-giving because of the indescribable gift that God gave us.
We celebrate Christmas by stringing lights because the Light of the world came to us.
We celebrate Christmas with carols and choirs because they express joy. In celebrating Christmas, we celebrate the love of Jesus.
Significance of Christmas tree
According to MSN, the Christmas tree, the most significant symbol of Christmas, is an evergreen tree, representing life.
The custom of erecting a Christmas tree is historically traced to the 15th century.
The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples and nuts.
Hence, the Christmas tree is an evergreen tree, usually decorated at Christmas with ornaments and lights.
An evergreen doesn’t lose all of its leaves at once like the slow but inevitable pruning of the hard parts of our hearts by Christ over time.
Jesus teaches us that throughout life, we will endure harsh seasons, but God will not allow us to be stripped of our leaves all at once.
Christ is our survival in temperate climates. He is our reinforcement.
Boxing Day
National Today states that Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide.
Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday.
Boxing Day started as a day to give gifts to the household staff of Britain’s upper classes, but has morphed into a sort of shopping holiday of its own.
Historically, Boxing Day gave the wealthy a chance to repay their servants and tradespeople as an appreciation for their service.
Ironically, these days, Boxing Day is synonymous with shopping.
Traditionally, the holiday was celebrated by giving to the needy and less fortunate, but over time, it has been commercialised.
Celebrating Christmas
The lyrics of Boney M’s ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Mary’s boy Child’ set the platform for this year’s Christmas.
Despite the hike in prices of cakes, soft drinks and toys the Christmas fever has not drowned as shoppers filled their trollies with last minute goodies and children got their desired gifts.
Unlike our days where parents resorted to cheap Christmas toys like plastic balls, dolls and plastic water guns, this generation is lucky in the sense they get gifted with jerseys, mobile phones, electronic gadgets, laptops and overseas trips.
Resorts and hotels have also been booked by those who can afford them, and friends and loved ones will celebrate together. BBQ and lovo will be tucked in by many, while others would prefer goat meat. Friends will get together for kava and drinks.
Christmas unites families- it brings them together. Some families will be sharing their goodies with their neighbours and those unfortunate and needy ones.
For some, Christmas is just another day. They will be driving taxis, mini vans and buses, selling along the road side and outside markets, and looking for means to earn something for the family table.
If we are blessed with sunny day and beautiful weather, expect picnic spots to be crowded with people.
Then there would be those who would be celebrating Christmas in church and will be having a meal in the comfort of their loved ones.
Those who have lost a loved one would reminisce the golden days. Christmas at the
Hidden Paradise
The hype surrounding Christmas reminded me of how we used to wait for Christmas and the gifts that our parents could afford to buy us after buying toys and savouries such as jelly, ice cream, tin fruit, juice, meat and cake.
We would wake up early morning and listen to the songs played by Radio Fiji Two. There was this magical atmosphere created that was hard to resist.
After the household chores were done, breakfast would take placeLees fruit cake, bread, butter and jam, and then preparations would be made for lunch as the extended family would gather.
At my grandfather’s place, as was the norm, a goat would be slaughtered. There would be merry making.
We played cards, sang antakshri
(songs), and then looked forward to our gifts which were presented by the head of the family - my grandfather.
The male folk would start with kava and then end up getting drunk.
The women prepared delicious goat curry which was served to the family members and friends and neighbours who often joined us on Christmas Day.
Remembering the needy
While we are celebrating Christmas, let’s embrace togetherness and enjoy family ties and love.
At the same time, let’s remember the needy and unfortunate ones and those who are lying on the sick bed.
Many families are looking for desperate ways to survive, and any help rendered to them will give them hope and comfort.
It will rekindle the true meaning of Christmas.
Let’s also remember those who have lost a loved one and will not celebrate Christmas.
Let us also acknowledge those who have brought smiles to needy families and individuals and the residents in the Senior Citizens and Children’s Homes.
I whole-heartedly thank our Samaritans - individuals, families and organisations - for being compassionate and kind enough to bring smiles on faces of families who are feeling the pinch and brunt of COVID-19.
$152 Xmas gift
The Fiji Times 152nd anniversary brought hope and relief to the winners.
Those who shared their stories stated that the $152 would be used during the festive season to buy gifts and food for the family.
At a hard time like this, The Fiji Times has been Santa Claus which re-ignited joy and brought delight and joy.
Safety tips
I plead with our drivers and pedestrians please exercise caution while on the road. To the drivers please say no to speeding and drink driving.
We have lost more than enough people on our roads. Let’s join hands to prioritise the wellbeing of our loved ones.
It’s important for parents to supervise their children and take track of their children’s movement and wellbeing.
The Year 12 and 13 students are preparing for their external examination so they will need support.
Our police officers, who will be manning our roads and patrolling the streets, need our support.
Let’s make life easier for them by avoiding unnecessary fights and accidents.
Staying together and looking after each other is imperative.
Thus, I wish the staff members and readers of our number one newspaper The Fiji Times an enterprising, eventful and a blessed, merry and safe Christmas!
Let’s enjoy the festivities to the brim, but stay safe and value life.