APPY Christmas in advance, dear readers. Besides feasting on fruit-rich Christmas cake, pears and cherries made of marzipan and hot cocoa, one of our childhood rituals was to reread our favourite Christmas stories in the holidays. Be it Enid Blyton or Agatha Christie, we found that few popular writers could resist telling a Christmas story.
The bottom line is that you may be allergic to rude and intrusive evangelists, but what's not to love about Jesus? My grandmother had a small European art picture of Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her puja room. My mother, a staunch Hindu, gave me Bible stories to read along with other storybooks, and one day she pointed out that 'the poor are at the heart of the gospel'.
I loved singing carols and hymns so much that I still remember them from childhood. My maami used to play the piano and threw a Christmas party every year so we could gather around and sing while she played. I even mugged up the Paternoster or Our Father prayer in Latin because I found it beautiful. India, that way, is like a great big box of chocolates for us that we are free to participate in and enjoy different traditions without fear.
Out North, Christmas has long become a Hindu festival. Santa hats, Christmas trees, star-shaped paper lamps, and Christmas cakes are hugely popular with Hindu families. It does not make them 'less Hindu'. Hindus enjoy any festival with an endearing basis and charming traditions, be it Christmas or Valentine's Day.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Maruti Suzuki Cars to Become Expensive by Up to ₹32,500 From Feb 1
The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) will be hiking the prices of its vehicles by up to ₹32,500 from February 1, 2025, to offset the rise in input costs.
Want to revive 'family tree' at the click of a mouse? Come to Maha Kumbh
WITH lakhs of people taking holy dip at Maha Kumbh, pandas or traditional priests are busy tracing the roots of devotees through digitised family records in a camp at Sangam.
The Eagle Stays in Staring Contest With the Bear
Given the postures Trump and Putin struck this week, a thaw in US-Russia relations is unlikely anytime soon. Trump is not intent on jettisoning US claims to global hegemony
SC orders man's arrest over repeated filing of bail pleas, slaps ₹2 lakh fine
THE Supreme Court has directed the Amritsar police commissioner to arrest a petitioner within three days for filing bail applications twice.
Notices to Ola, Uber over price disparity
THE Centre has issued notices to Ola and Uber over complaints that they were charging different prices from customers depending on whether the booking was from an iPhone or an Android smartphone.
New Fire Erupts Near LA, Triggers Evacuation
An explosive new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes and setting nerves jangling in an area still reeling from two deadly blazes.
HUDCO sanctioned ₹12,677 cr loans for TG projects since Dec '23
THE state government continues to rely on Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) loans for executing various projects.
Lakshya, Sat-Chi bow out
ILL form continues to haunt most of the Indian shuttlers at the moment.
MoD Okays Mazagon Dock Bid for P75 Submarines
Six advanced submarines to be built under project
Spin it to win it: Varun growing in stature
Gambhir and other leaders in the team has propelled spinner to be more attacking, says former India pacer Balaji
