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Christmas - Also called X-Mas,
Christmas is celebrated by Christians
Christmas falls on 25 December according to the Roman calendar
Mythological significance
Christmas is observed as the birth day of Jesus. This is one of the most important festivals of the Christians. Legends say that Christmas has arrived in India in 52 AD exactly 29 years after crucifixion of Jesus. There are special masses that are organized in churches for this very auspicious occasion. In India this day is considered as a very big day for all the religions. This eve starts from 24th December till 31th December that is till the New Year.
On this day Christians convey Jesus Christ message of brotherhood, tolerance and love. This is a celebration of mankind and humanity. This festival is not only celebrated by the Christians but even the people of other religions celebrate it. In short this is a universal festival.
The word Christmas is used from the old English cristes masses and Christmases is derived from the Middle English. Christmas is sometime also called Xmas. Jesus was the son of mother marry and Joseph of Bethlehem.
Legend says that the first celebration of Christmas took place in 366 AD. First this religion was not practiced by the Romans openly but later as the emperor Constantine followed Christianity in 4th century AD.
Celebration of Christmas
Christmas is the only festival that is celebrated by non-Christians also. This festival is celebrated on a very large scale in India. On this occasion houses, trees and churches are decorated. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the Christians for celebrating this festival as they get high on their sprit.
Santa Claus is the main attraction of this festival as he gives gifts as a token of love and affection for small children. He is known as the father of Christmas. People exchanges gifts and cards with their relatives and family members.
This shows the respect and love for each other. Another main attraction of this festival is the Christmas tree which is the traditional pine tree. This tress is decorated with candies, stars. Small Santa Claus and angels as deco items make the tree look more graceful. Christians decorated their house with glittering articles and lighting. Balloons are also included in the decoration as small children like them.
People get up early in the morning get dressed up and go to the church for special masses that are conducted in the church.
The churches are also decorated with starts, angels, the scribe showings the birth place of the Jesus with the three kings standing next to the mother marry there are Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Christmas carols are sung in the church on this eve. After this people visit their relatives place with sweets and offer gifts for the elders and small children's as token of love for the children and respect for the elders.
Traditional food
During this festival there are variety of food that are prepared by the Christians such as the Brandy butter, the frozen plum pudding, Christmas pudding, almond paste, Christmas cakes, royal icing, confectioner' custard, turkey stock, snow balls and Christmas cookies.
Christmas gives a golden opportunity to celebrate this festival with all our relatives and friends. People who are busy through the year also find out time to enjoy with the family.
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