Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Renu Warnasuriya and Priyanwada Ranawaka discover that it’s not only the Christians who ‘celebrate’ Christmas
A shared feeling
December 21. Four days more to Christmas. Christians around the country are busy, doing their last minute shopping, baking the Christmas cake, decorating their homes and preparing for Christmas. What is the rest of the country up to? Are they oblivious to the hustle and bustle around them or have they too been affected by the Christmas spirit?

It’s hard to ignore Christmas, given that the commercial aspects have pervaded most places. Shops and streets are decorated and Christmas music is on the radio.
Laden with shopping bags Sharmali and her eight-year-old daughter Peshala though from a Buddhist background are sharing the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. “We try to make the kids happy,” says Sharmali, who has obviously been quite successful, as young Peshala is already looking forward to placing a star on the top of her decorated tree and finding a stuffed stocking on Christmas morning.

Partying is not a priority for this family who prefer to make someone else happy during this season of giving. They will distribute Christmas lunch among the less fortunate. “I don’t see Christmas as different from other festivals, it’s the people who make the difference,” says Sharmali who believes all religions guide people to do good, and that there is no harm in celebrating any religious festival.

Bags to fill
Christian or not, there is one thing all teenagers love to do… shop. Brightly decorated showcases, bargain counters, boxes full of low priced what-nots, and of course the much awaited ‘Christmas bonus,’ can brighten up the season for anyone. To 17-year-old Shabena the difference between Christmas and other festivals is the shopping.
Monique, an Australian, agrees as she too feels that Christmas is “cheap shopping.” She however added that some people seem to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas in the frantic rush to grab the best bargains.

Despite her tight schedule, which gets tighter during Christmas, singer Uresha Ravihari has managed some time for shopping. “I’m a non-Christian but I join in the festivities,” says Uresha who feels it is a festival for everyone. A big fan of the season, Uresha spends her time going for Christmas parties, singing carols, sending cards and visiting her Christian friends.

It’s also a season to get one’s creative juices flowing. There are homes and trees to be decorated, gifts to be wrapped and cards to be sent. For children it’s the time to make paper snowmen and write letters to Santa. It is the season to escape into a world full of red-nosed reindeer and colourful Christmas trees. “I used to pray for Santa to come to me,” smiles 16-year- old Menaka.Though her family does not approve she still has a Christmas tree every year.

Long shiny outfits with tinsel crowns, wooden crooks and silver halos, beautifully wrapped up rigiform boxes… what child can resist this wonderful game of dress up? These nativity plays, which take weeks of practice to put together, would kindle any heart to join in all the fun on stage.“I was once a cow in a Christmas play,” laughs 20-year-old Ashan. Though a non-Christian, he has taken part in all his school carol services and nativities.

Some instinct made us approach Santa Claus. Thirty-year-old Calistus, hidden behind his cotton wool beard, revealed that he was a Buddhist. Calistus who took up the job on his cousin’s request says “Christmas is marketing,” and he is willing to be a part of it. He opened out his hand to show us the toffees he was “marketing”. Though he does join in the festivities Calistus stressed that he does not participate in any religious ceremonies.

Cause for cheer
“People should be more fun loving,” says 23-year-old Hazari, who certainly seems to have taken his own advice to heart. Looking quite funny in his oversized Santa hat, this guy was really having a ball. To him Christmas is a “time for having fun.” Since there are no celebrations in his own home, he goes to his friends’ homes, where he “eats cake, sings songs and has a great time. After all it is the time to “enjoy to the max”.

Looks like the ‘goodwill’ bug has really made the rounds. While it has made Christmas a joyous festival for Christians who celebrate the birth of their Saviour, the spirit of the season, it seems, encompasses all who are willing to spread a little cheer.

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