THIRUPAAVAI AND THE JINGLE BELLS

Christmas has arrived and my memories flashes back to my childhood days. Born in a Hindu family and  educated in a Christian Institution, had a  fourteen long years of binding with my alma mater.

A week before Christmas, we would start meddling the house. My parents do stand with us and  the whole family would contribute in building a beautiful Christmas crib.The ragi and paddy  seeds would be sown days earlier. And we would make it sure that it would spread greenery on Christmas eve.

My younger sister, good at baking cakes would start her Christmas cake preparation well in advance. Variety of rava and maida cake would be present to relish. The season itself spread a wave of spirituality and serenity.

One  can equally see our homes decorated with kolams in the wee hours of this season, with a melancholy  of Thirupavai  ringing in our ears.And, the crib gleaming around the corner of the hall with  greenery all around. Jingle Bells and Thiruvemba would  surround the house.A mixture of emotions would spread, as friends and relatives walk in to our house during this season.

This  celebration would go on till New Year,  and the crib would go to safer place to be welcomed next Christmas.The house would again  get ready to Welcome Pongal  and we would start  meddling again.

Wish the clock  to strike  back, and the earth to rewind , and  Santa to gift  me "childhood days",  this Christmas.

Wishing All A MERRY CHRISTMAS