northern lights

northern lights
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Monday 28 April 2014

X-Mas Festival

Xmas is the most popular festival , which is  celebrated all over the world. Two more days to go. WOW!
 
"Xmas" is an abbreviation of Christmas found particularly in print, based on the initial letter chi (Χ).


Christmas  is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed cultural holiday, celebrated  on December 25 by millions of people around the world. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and singing carols, exchange of Christmas cards,  a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, garlandsmistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas,  are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas. Christmas  is celebrated today in family gatherings with seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and  singing carols.  Houses are decorated with lights  and  Christmas figures.


Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. Displaying of wreaths and candles in each window are a traditional custom.. The  Christmas  Candles in each window are meant to demonstrate  that Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world.

Preparations for  Christmas  start many days in advance in our house..Collection of items like beads, flowers, balloons, stars and other knick knacks are kept ready. On Christmas eve  the whole family  is involved in singing Christmas carols, while decorating the tree. In our family we never purchase a  ready   made   tree. We have grown Christmas trees in mud pots in our house.  A  photo  of the Christmas tree decorated in our house last year is shown  below
 

 
A video of Jingle Bells  to  bring a smile on your face.

A video of Jingle Bells  to  bring a smile on your face
Pic Courtesy Google
Video YouTube
Xmas Tree  My Camera
Words 285

25 comments:

  1. I can imagine the fun it is when it happens.. By the way I came across so many campaigns and thoughts that requested to people to always say Christmas and never Xmas....I wonder why.

    PhenoMenon
    http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/xyst/

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    1. Thanks Pheno. The X in Xmas depicts crucification of Jesus Christ, and as it is a tragic occasion as opposed to Christmas.

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  2. Dear Usha ji, Probably it was easiest for you to handle this letter with the X-mas festival :-)... A good one on the fun-filled festival which almost every community celebrates in some way :-).

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    1. Thanks Jayanta. You are correct, this was the easiest I could think of.

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  3. That is really commendable that you grow your own trees, Usha ji! Wonderful take on X, even if it was an easy choice!

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  4. I am fond of Christmas!

    www.volatilespirits.com

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  5. Even if I dont celeb Christmas is my fav festival. It is tough to not be in the Xmas spirits in that season :)
    good one

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    1. Thanks Afsan. True the Xmas spirit is all round.

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  6. I love Christmas! It seems that a person prepares and celebrates it the whole month of December. Then when the actual day arrives, it is over within a blink of the eye.

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    1. Yes Kathy it is true that we wait for this festival, but it comes and goes away so fast.

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  7. Usha Ma'am Xmas is one of ma fav festivals which is so colorful and brings joy. Like Afshan said, I don't celebrate but it remains of ma fav for the fun aspect, joy, toys, balloons, greeting cards, Santa.
    Ma'am do visit my Tracher's Day link and lemme know
    http://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/t-for-teachers-day/

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    1. Thanks Vishal. True that every one likes the spirit of the festival.

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  8. Christmas is one festival which is now-a-days celebrated by parents of all small kids. The joy to meet the Santa Claus at Malls and fairs and to get gifts from Santa Claus (parents) in the morning... children really look forward to this festival!

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    1. Thanks Shilpa. Yes children look forward to this festival for the gifts.

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  9. Wow Ushaji!! You actually grew the christmas tree!! Although we dont celebrate christmas, I love the warmth this festival spreads in the cold winters.

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  10. i studied at a convent, and so it was always fun celebrating xmas.... we were involved in everything from making cribs to singing carols!! great knowing how well u celebrated this festival!

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  11. Ah :) The yummy cakes and the warmth of friendship !! Lovely Xmas :)

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  12. I like to think of X-mas as a festival of light, and appreciate the spirit behind this festival. What I am not so fond of is the hugely commercial aspect this festival and many others like Diwali, Rakhi, have been taking on...so much emphasis on gift-giving, who can give more expensive gifts etc...all this take away the true spirit of such celebrations.

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    1. Yes Beloo. People have commercialised most of the festivals.

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  13. I love the christmassy atmosphere, the whole city is decorated and surely it is a season of joy. nice to know that you grow Xmas tree. In our home, I have an artificial one and my children make the confetti.

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