TODAY -

Christmas: A time for giving

Kh Siile Anthony *

Festive mood around Imphal City on occassion of Christmas :: 25th December 2021
Festive mood around Imphal City on occassion of Christmas on 25th December 2021 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam



Christmas is a shortened form of ‘Mass on Christ’s day’. Mass is a sacrifice, in which the sacred bread and wine, through blessing by an ordained priest, become the sacrificial body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ as the sacrifice on Calvary made truly present once again on the altar. Therefore, Christmas is the day when Jesus was bom in order to save the humanity by dying on the cross for our sins.

It is the day when the Good News of Salvation was proclaimed to the world. That God sent his only son to Earth to save us from our sins. Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream; it is a glorious reality.

Christmas was believed to be first celebrated in Rome by Roman Emperor Constantine on 15 December in 336 AD. But Pope Julius I set December 25 in about 350 AD as the date the Church would commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Hence, the tradition of celebrating Christmas each year on 25 December.

Tradition of 12 Days of Christmas Celebration

The period between Christmas and epiphany is fast free. (Epiphany falls on 5th January, it is the commemoration of the manifestation of Jesus’ divine nature to the Three Wise Men of the East).

In the middle ages, this period was one of continuous feasting and merry-making, which climaxed on twelfth night, the traditional end of the Christmas season on 5th January. It is said that Christmas decorations should be taken down after the feast of the epiphany.

How Should Christmas Be Celebrated?

Every Christmas we keep saying we are going to keep the real meaning of Christmas, but then we get distracted by ftiends/family visits, by the quantity of meat/fish to buy arid by other parties and merrymaking. The key to Christmas is to remember what it is supposed to celebrate: the birth of Jesus Christ. If it weren’t for Christ, there would be no Christmas.

Christmas has grown increasingly busy and secular and Christ easily gets crowded out by all the activities and the stress on material things. And the key to keeping Christ at the centre of our Christmas is to keep our eyes on Him and not let ourselves be distracted by everything else that is going on. As your family celebrate Christmas this year, take time to turn your attention to Christ.

Go to Church as a family and take time also to read one of the Bible’s accounts of Christ’s birth, perhaps around the dinner table. You can find them in the first two chapters of Mathew, and in the second chapter of Luke.

How Christmas is Celebrated in Southern Hemisphere?

While most parts of the world celebrate a white Christmas covered in snow and more snow, there are some countries where Christmas is a summer affair. The reason behind is that these countries fall on the southern hemisphere and hence have sunny Christmas. Following are some countries whose Christmas fall in summer; Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Madagascar and Angola.

In these countries, June and July are coldest months. Which means' summer peak is in December and January. The many beaches that edge the continent are crowded on this day. You may even see Santa Clauses entertaining children by the shore.

They sprinkle artificial snow to imitate the northern Christmas climate. Devout Christians religiously attend the midnight mass/service. Visiting these countries to celebrate summer Christmas would be a good experience.

Some Fascinating Christmas Traditions - There are some fascinating Christmas traditions in different countries that make Christmas a special time of the year. In many countries, Christmas is a time for Christians to gather in Churches, sing carols, and reflect on the spiritual meaning of the season. Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus are a common sight.

But in Mexico, Christmas celebrations begin on December 16th with the tradition of Las Posadas. This nine-night celebration reenacts Maty and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Each night, a procession of people goes from house to house, singing carols and asking for shelter. On the final night, everyone gathers for a festive party with traditional Mexican food.

In Japan, Christmas is not a National holiday, but that doesn’t mean it goes unnoticed. While it is not traditionally a religious celebration, the Japanese have embraced the festive spirit in their own unique way.

One popular tradition is to enjoy a Christmas meal at KFC. Kentucky Fried Chicken has become synonymous with Christmas in Japan. It’s a quirky tradition that has become deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, thanks to a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s.

In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th and is known as Ganna. The day begins with a Church service, followed by a festive feast with family and friends. Ganna is a time of joy and celebration, with music, dancing, and traditional games adding to the festive atmosphere. Christmas celebrations in Philippines begin as early as September.

The country is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world. One of the most unique traditions is the Simbang Gabi, a series of nine early morning masses (morning Church service) leading up to Christmas Eve. The Philippines also has a tradition of making colourful lantern made from bamboo and paper that is displayed outside homes and along streets, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem.

Ritual of Gift Giving

The ritual of giving gifts is a tradition that is practised all over the world. Like most religions, the tradition of exchanging gifts during Christmas holds a sentimental and symbolic meaning in Christianity. It symbolises the tributes given by the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus after he was born. However, before Christianity was bom there is an old pagan celebration called Saturnalia.

Saturnalia was a festival that was widely celebrated in the ancient Roman Empire. They believed that they got the seasonal bounty and harvests by the blessing of Saturn. Hence, they wanted to please their God and expressed their gratitude by giving presents and offerings to him. The festivities were week-long. People were unwilling to give up such a popular tradition of generous gift-giving, carefree ambiance, and lavish amusement.

This made the transition to Christianity a bit more difficult during the religious conversion in the Empire. Due to fear of backlash, the religious leaders at that time were unable to ban Saturnalia. Hence, for a smooth transition, some of the old pagan Customs were rationalised into Christianity. The gift exchanging ritual carried over to the newly established religion.

This tradition was then associated with the gifts given to baby Jesus by the Magi (Three Wise Men). Eventually, Christians moved the custom to December 25, although many Christians still give gifts on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus’ divine nature to the Magi. This practice was also embraced by Saint Nicholas.

He was a 4th-century saint who was renowned for his love of giving people gifts. The kindness and generosity of Saint Nicholas have been honoured since then and are now embodied in the beloved Santa Claus. The name Santa Claus originated from this kind and generous saint.

Christmas is a Time for Giving

Christmas is an amazing holiday that honours generosity, cheerfulness, and overall joyfulness. Celebrate this special holiday with your loved ones by exchanging thoughtful Christmas gifts. The holiday spirit gets kindled when you witness that your Christmas gift brought a smile to the recipient’s face. This joy makes your effort behind the gift worthwhile.

Another common gift giving custom is to donate to charities. We can help some less fortunate brothers and sisters this Christmas season. In keeping with the Christian ethics of helping those in need, donors give money or donate items, such as food and clothing. Give some money to someone who is really in need so that they could celebrate Christmas in the way they want. Jesus Christ gave his life to save us.

Giving is the best communication. We should imitate Christ and give something to someone this Christmas season. That will make our Christmas a real Christmas.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!


* Kh Siile Anthony wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is retired Director HRD, NEC, Govt of India,
and Joint Registrar, JNU, New Delhi
This article was webcasted on December 19, 2024 .



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet