A Festival of Candels,Light and Cakes

8/14/2019 A Festival of Candels,Light and Cakes.

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AFAQISS

A festivalof Candles,Light andcakes

Faqiha Abbas11/10/2009


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Houses, shopping malls, hotels boutiques, & restaurants are decorated with

twinkling lights, buntings, christmass trees, coloured ribbons etc as Christmas

has come along with sentiments of hope and joy: Business, schools and

communities are arranging Christmas parties. Groups may go carolling .It is

birth celebration of Jesus Christ. First mention of dec. 25th was started 336.A.D.

by Pope Julius 1.The word Christmas was derived from cristes maeasse which

was early English phrase means mass or festival of Christ. X-mas is also used

for it. In Greek X is the first letter of Christs name. This festival, in fact is

consisted on twelve days, from Christmas day to epiphany. It is a major holy day

for Christ, was born according to Saint Luke writer of Gospel outside the town of

Bethlehem.

Churches display a nativity scene it shows figures of Mary and Joseph

praying over the infant Jesus in the stable Christmas has different tradition. In

Pakistan there were six days public holidays from chrismas evening to New

Year it was lost much of its official importance after getting freedom.Almost all over the world, it is the holiday government offices; schools, banks

and most business are closed. In U.S this holiday season remain till January 2 nd.

The exact date of birth of Jesus is not known Bible say:

Shepherds spent the night out door with the flocks on the night

that Jesus was born(Luke 2:8).

So it could not happened in deep winter but it is confirmed that Jesus was born

between october and march. According to Luke Mary (Hazrat Mariyam) learned

from and angel that she was with child with out father. So she and her husbandJoseph left their home to Josephs ancestral home Bethlehem of Judea. They

could not find any room in inns. They set up temporary lodgings in a stable.

There Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger.

Christmas is celebrated by gathering of whole community in the big hall of

church.people sing Christmas carols and listen to reading from Gospels of Saint

Luke and Saint Matthew priests and ministers speak to the people gather for

mass or other Christmas services at the church about the coming of Christ.

There are many traditions linked with Christmas. Decorating churches, houses

and other public places with Christmas tree. It was started in 1800s centuries. It

is the model tree of evergreen plant of holly mistletoe and ivy. It was said that

spirit of forest took shelter in it from cold dark day of winter. They thought it was

the way of welcoming the forest spirits who would then be grateful for the rest of

the year. Now the tree is decorated with hanging objects like stars, angel, nuts,

candy and lights. Flower ofPoinsettia is recognized as Christmas flower due to

its bright red white and pink petals.


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Family gatherings, gift giving, picnics are also become rituals. Traditional foods

and beverages are served in parties some common dishes are roast, plum

chutney, apricot chutney, pine apple salsa, strawberry mousse, turkey and

puddings, fresh fruits and vegetables are also served. Different dishes are

prepared in different regions but one thing the Christmas cake is thought to be

necessary element for feast.

English artist first illustrated Christmas card John callcot Harsely words of A

Merry Christmas and a happy new year were written with the scene of a family

celebrating Christmas together. This tradition was spread very quickly through out

the world .Now a great variety of such cards is available at market. Musical,

perfumed, serious and funny cards are sent according to age group and nature of

relationship.

We cannot neglect the character of Santa Claus while mentioning chrismas .It is

also known as Father Christmas, riding on a sleigh pulled by reindeer climbs down

the chimney leaves gift for children, them hew eats the foods the children left forhim. Many shopping malls have a Santa Claus whom children can demands for

present. According to one belief. Santa Nicholas was the bishop in Turkey, in early

part of the 4th century. When Nicholas was a boy, he was given the present to

people for spreading happiness. He becomes a patron Saint of children in 6 th

century. Santa Claus is commemorator of Santa Nicholas. The practice of brining

gifts in the name of Nicholas began in France in 12 th century.

Yule log is also a tradition a huge tree was found cut down lit a fire in it and

decorates into the house and lit a fire in it.

This event has its grate social importance. Many gatherings are taken place. There

is joy, cheer and happiness all over the world. Mostly families make annualphotograph on Christmas. Religious celebration begin with advent it include advent

of carols and calendars.

Many people decorate their homes with advent wreth, which consists of holly

branches. Four candles, one of each sunday of advent. Three out of four are purple

and one is pink .On Christmas day, all candles replace by white candles. While

colour symbolize Jesus.

Christmas eve and day services include Mass of Nativity and Christmas carols. In

some countries include U.K and U.S, Christmas season begin many weeks before

Christmas. People have more time for shopping and get together. A day before 25th

is considered as Christmas Eve Muslim celebrate chand raat before Eid ulFiter

Encyclopedia Britannica published in 1994 tells us that Christians are 1.8 billion out

of 5.5 billion total population of the worlds. Christmas has become the largest

festival of the worlds It also has its social and economical importance. Many people

are engaged in making Chrisman products like bunting, lights, cxarsds, flowers,


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candle etc. Many companies are doing their business for Christmas .In most parts

of the worlds weeks leading to Christmas are the biggest shopping weeks.

It is celebrating with merry making and great jubilation not only by Christians but

also by the people belong to other religions. There is an atmosphere of joy love and

cheer .We can truly called Christmas as a festival of candle, cakes and light.


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A Festival of Candels,Light and Cakes