Whither Christmas?

Christmas spells goodwill, joy and peace. But of late,the spirit seems to be somehow missing. THARA MOHAN RAO wonders why it is so.

CHANGE IS undoubtedly the order of the day. I am afraid I noticed an unwelcome change in the Christmas celebrations this year. Earlier, days ahead my Christian friends and classmates would begin indulging in their preparations. After school, they would run home at breakneck speed to go on their Christmas shopping spree (which included purchase of clothes, the Christmas tree, crepe paper, polished paper etc. to make all the decorations) or for their carol practice. (Now the need for the latter is unfelt since the synthesiser records it all and burps it out when necessary). When they made a dash in this fashion, we, non- Christians, would eye them enviously visualising in our minds eye the fun and frolic all this would entail. But we were never left behind or forgotten in their gaiety for they would make it a point to share their cakes and goodies with us. We, in our turn would share our Deepavali sweets and eats with them. A lovely give and take policy was prevalent not only on the food but almost on all other fronts too.

From days ahead we would receive the lovely Christmas cards - holly, mistletoe, snow, Santa in his sledge, fir tree, bells, shepherds blinded by the star, or the babe in the manger - all these were inevitably etched on their minds and on the cards in the front page. A personal note and wish for each member of the family - how important and proud we felt! The selection of the cards was an exciting process when for each friend and cousin, they would read the words and scrutinise the picture and select to suit their relationship with them. The cards (costlier variety) with mica powder stuck on them, were gorgeous and divine and we would treasure them. The cards would be used as book marks or as models for painting or for our scrap book.

Sadly, today it is a routine, mechanical affair. Several cards are printed or obtained as computer print-outs. There is no time or inclination for signing on the inside or scribbling a wish. Either the sender's name is printed or the seal is stamped. The entire process is impersonal and does not foster friendship or intimacy. As sure as the Sun rises in the East, Christmas falls on December 25. Then could you not begin much earlier and sign personally in all the cards? Did you not like it when you had your Principal's signature on your testimonials and did you not safeguard the originals?

This year the added disadvantage was the postal strike and hence several people dispensed with the habit of sending Christmas cards being unsure as to when the strike would be called off.

Christmas would dawn, nay be made to dawn for us - church bells chiming in good tidings of joy. This would rent the still morning air. Carols would be sung loudly, clearly and joyously on the roads and in the church. I would be amused to listen to this particular carol, "Silent night, holy night" which ended thus - "Sleep in Heavenly Peace".

I would suppress my giggle. The loud music disallowed us from sleeping in earthly peace itself then where was the chance of sleeping in Heavenly peace! But we loved to be awakened by the notes and melodies of these lovely, soul-stirring carols.

But alas! melody in the air this year was missing. I live in the same nest near the same grand old kirk but is it that I overslept? Is it that I was over-fatigued and could not be awakened by these melodious strains or is it that the latter were really unsung and unheard?

Again, in yesteryear, the decorations were all hand-made and the family members nursed a sense of pride and achievement. They were pleased with their creative work but now everything seems to be available on a made- to-order basis.

As for the non-Christians, they couple an extra day with Christmas and move out either to the seaside (where they supposedly drown their sorrows) or resorts (where they wash off their fatigue in the freely flowing alcohol). Has Christmas which remained a pet festival through the years, now become a wet day? Have priorities changed along with life-styles? Is it that the costs are prohibitive and so the middle class has left the old world charm behind in the rat race. The festivities have assumed the computer age garb and tone, I presume.

There is an ancient church near my house. Recently, it was in the eye of a storm. Certain sub-sects were granted permission to worship. I heard it said that the disturbances and turmoil was the result of preferring certain sections only, to be seated amidst the congregation. Can this occur in the house of God? The only qualification anyone needs is to believe. It matters not whether the message is in English or Tamil, for the only language that seems to matter to me at the altar is the language of the heart.

Finally, the message of Christmas as I learnt it in my Christian school - peace on Earth and goodwill to men - has undergone considerable change.

Peace on Earth is next to impossible since the Earth has been done to pieces by strife, warfare and communal riots. Goodwill to men is sadly missing too. All that they know of in this highly materialistic world is the last will and testament of the heads of their families.

They are respected by the children and considered sacrosanct if everything by way of property and money is bequeathed to them. Then it is dubbed a goodwill. That is all the goodwill they know of.

Everything seems to have undergone a radical change I am afraid, not necessarily for the better. Whither the true Christmas spirit? Whither the innocent gaiety? Please Lord, enlighten me.

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