CHRISTMAS 2020 ADVENT OF MASKS AND THE MASSES!

As December punch the clock and the cold winds in the night kiss our cheeks, the arrival of Christmas season with its profound memories is impossible to not notice; it is in the air. Amidst the euphoric feeling, one cannot turn a blind eye to the prevailing reality which questions the mind as to -how merry will Christmas 2020 be? 'How are we going to celebrate Christmas this year?'

- T S Haokip

I'd asked my better half, sounding a bit worried. Our wedding Anniversary and birthdays in 2020 have all fallen on lockdown periods and my already celebration deprived calendar reflects nothing to cheer for, except Christmas. I guess the case is not mine alone. When we have months of lockdown and the restrictive unlock process is yet to be fully completed, the odds of finding a person with an unaffected plan are highly improbable. Be that as it may, December has been a hope that helps many to accept missed-celebrations with a consolation that, ‘at least we have Christmas.’ 'We will worship the Lord and give thanks to him on Christmas Day,' replied my wife nonchalantly. She added that one's spiritual health should not be affected by physical health. While I am in complete agreement with the aforementioned 'spiritual health', I could not help but remind her that I need to dance and sing merrily in a group, which is obviously not guaranteed as of now. To that, she reminded me of how, many festivals like Eid, Diwali, Durga Puja, etc. have been affected and requested me to accept the 'new normal' as many other people from different faiths did.