Celebrating Christmas in India

The Story of Christmas

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel James

Celebrating Christmas in India

Christmas is celebrated with joy and pomp in different parts of India. Despite the same underlying spirit, the celebration of Christmas is different in various parts of India. In the North East it is celebrated in one way, in the South West it is done in another way.  Christians decorate their homes elaborately and tastefully. Several shops, malls and restaurants are also decorated. In some parts of India, small clay oil-burning lamps (diyas or pranatis) are used as Christmas decorations just as our Hindu friends do at Deepavali festival. They are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Christians decorate their homes with mango or banana leaves at Christmas time. The Churches are decorated with roses, jasmine flower, lilies etc. and the candles are lit for the Christmas Eve service. In the urban areas the ingredients of the festivities include Christmas trees (mostly potted) are decorated with stars and tinsels, toys, plastic fruits, and colorful streamers and illuminated well. They are placed inside the Christian homes and churches. Santa is also seen going around in some streets. In many places of India caroling groups go around singing Christmas carols in various Indian languages on streets and thoroughfares. The Hindus and Muslims comprise majority of the population in India. They too join in celebrating with much fanfare and happiness.  The Day is a national holiday and people irrespective of their religion enjoy it along with their Christian friends.

Christmas Traditions

The traditions surrounding the celebration of Christmas are as numerous as the people who celebrate it around the world. Through the years, Christmas has been adapted to local customs, culture, and history and so has produced an amazing variety of Christmas traditions around various nations of the world. Some traditions such as the giving of gifts, the use of a star, originated on the basis of the Biblical narrative of Christmas. Let us look at some Christmas traditions.

The Date of Christmas

The idea to celebrate Christmas on December 25 originated in the 4th century. The Romans celebrated the birthday of their sun god, Mithras during this time of the year. The church leaders decided to celebrate the festival birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The actual season of Jesus' birth is thought to be in the spring. The date of December 25 was chosen as the official birthday celebration as Christ's Mass.

There has been much scholarly debate concerning the exact time of the year when Jesus was born and even in what year he was born. The best estimate is that Jesus was probably born during 4 BC. The lack of a consistent system of timekeeping in the first century, mistakes in later calendars and calculations had led to this vagueness in fixing the date of Jesus’ birth. The Christmas celebration is an observance of a historical date and a commemoration of the event in terms of worship and spiritual blessing from God. The important reason for celebrating Christmas is the remembrance of the purpose for which our Lord Jesus came to this world. And that reason is for the salvation of mankind.

The exact date of Jesus' birth is not recorded in the Bible. The Christians who lived in the early years of Christianity did not have a definite day, date or time when they could observe the birth of Christ. However, it was generally celebrated in churches by the late fourth century. December 25 became recognized as Christmas day because it provided a Christian alternative to pagan festivals related to the Roman god and the winter solstice.  December 25 is the date that the Church authorities fixed after due consideration of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus twenty centuries ago. It is not wrong for us to remember Christ's birth during the Christmas season. It can be an opportunity for us to grow closer to Jesus and point others to have faith in Him. "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5).  May God help each of us as we prayerfully consider our relationship with Him during the Christmas season and throughout the New Year.