Today is the 23rd of December, and 18-20 years ago, my siblings and I were filled with excitement as Christmas approached. It was a time when we could celebrate at home with our parents, indulge in delicious food, and adorn ourselves in new dresses. The festivities included eagerly anticipated afternoon games where we received prizes and the frequent treat of Gur Chini (jaggery) every few hours.
Our parents, however, were seldom present at the community ground festivities. My mom was occupied with church and community work, while my dad had his own responsibilities, making appearances during the celebration quite rare. We found solace with our second and third aunt (yet third Aunt won’t be there this year at the community ground, as she is in a better place now), who took care of us, treated us to local delicacies like Sinju, and occasionally bought special treats from the shop.
Despite not having the opportunity to wear fancy dresses or join our friends, the bond between my sisters and me strengthened. I took on the role of the big sister, responsible for their well-being in the absence of our parents. Occasionally, our peer groups would ridicule us for not being part of the larger group or not dressing as smartly. This, along with mom’s peculiar restrictions, further distanced us from our peers.
This Christmas tradition continued until I started my degree studies. Since then, my participation in the festivities dwindled due to exams, short holidays requiring expense savings, and later commitments in the workplace. Initially, I didn’t mind being away during Christmas, but as time passed, I started feeling homesick and longed to be with my family.
This year, being far from home, I anticipate spending most of my time inside the four walls of my room. My prayer is that, regardless of our locations, we will welcome Christ into our hearts and let His presence dwell within us. May we learn to submit to His care and be instruments of His love, no matter the circumstances. I extend warm wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas.
