It’s time to rejoice!:

First Christmas after end of war

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The much anticipated event for Christians all over the world will arrive with the dawn of Christmas later this week. This year’s celebrations are all the more unique for Sri Lankans who also rejoice in the great victory of peace.

This is the first Christmas the country is celebrating after the end of a thirty-year war that created division, hatred and animosity among communities.

Preparations have been made to celebrate this great event in grandeur and splendour, with programs to be held across the country, some with State patronage.

This year’s celebrations will be held with renewed commitment and in true Lankan style following the defeat of terrorism and establishment of lasting peace in the country.

There is no longer fear or anxiety of bomb explosions and threats to life by terrorist attacks. People flocking to shopping malls and busy streets in preparation for the season have been greater in number compared to previous years.

“The celebration of Christmas this year is unique and special for all Sri Lankans who have emerged from a conflict that plagued the country for several decades”, said a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church.

“It is by sharing with the less privileged and helping rebuild shattered lives that the country could reap the benefits of peace”, he said.

Events to mark the birth of Jesus will be held throughout the season, in keeping with the message of Christmas, which is to share with the less fortunate.

The State Christmas Festival was held at the Provincial Library Auditorium in Badulla on Friday under the patronage of Rt. Rev. Dr. Vinston Fernando, the Bishop of Badulla. Minister of Religious Affairs Pandu Bandaranayake was the Chief Guest. The event was organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Department of Christian Religious Affairs. The theme of this year’s celebration was ‘One Country, One Nation and True Christmas’.

Singing of carols, dramas depicting the Nativity of Jesus, exchange of presents and addresses by special invitees were some of the highlights of the event.

Director, Department of Christian Religious Affairs, A.R. Gunawardena said a conducive environment has been created to celebrate Christmas under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rebuilding country

“All Christians should unite to rebuild the country which had been battered by the war. The people in the North and the East urgently need the support of the South”, the Director said.

The National Christmas Festival was held in Galle under the theme ‘Let us be the peace bridge to unite the North and the South’.

The Presidential Secretariat along with the Department of Christian Religious Affairs have planned to hold a Christmas Festival at Temple Trees tomorrow. The Nativity of Jesus invites Christians to share with the poor and the oppressed. Sharing is the central theme of Christmas which heralds a reign of peace, compassion and justice. “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among those whom He favours”. LK 2:14-15

John the Baptist, the precursor of the Messiah, proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.LK 3:4-5. He said “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise”.

He said to the tax collectors “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you and to the soldiers.” He said “Do not extort money from anyone by threat of false account and be satisfied with your wages”.

Opportunities to share with those in the North and the East and help expedite development of the war-torn provinces for reintegration is much called for if the country is to enjoy the true dividends of peace.

Christmas is celebrated according to the traditions and customs of each country. In Europe celebrations start in the beginning of December and continue towards mid-January.

Decorations and lit-up Christmas trees, sharing gifts, visiting elders and relatives are part of the celebrations. Forgiving and renouncing greed and enmity are some of the virtues practised by Christians in line with the Gospel message of Christmas.

People find the festival the best time to visit their relatives, friends and neighbours, to share the seasonal Christmas cake and wine and enjoy lavish lunch and dinner parties.

Feast of the Epiphany

The Christmas season draws to a close with the Feast of the Epiphany, the feast of the three kings who paid homage to the new-born King, in January.

Although the majority of the Sri Lankan population is Buddhists and Christians make up only around seven percent of the total population, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm in most parts of the country. The first Christmas celebrations in Sri Lanka had been held many centuries ago, when Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was ruled by the Portuguese from 1505 to 1650 AD, followed by the Dutch and the British who ruled the country from 1658 to 1796 and 1815 to 1948 respectively.

Early Christmas celebrations could be traced back to the time of the first missionaries, during persecutions of the colonial era.

Outstanding among them were Father Joseph Vaz and Jacome Gonzalves who, despite threats to their lives, celebrated the Nativity and other events from the Life of Jesus Christ.

Preparations for Christmas in Sri Lanka start several weeks before the festival. The festive sound of firecrackers at the dawn of December 1 is the first sign that Christmas is round the corner.

This is the time when every Christian household in the country performs the first ritual of the festive season. The festivity spreads fast, through shopping centres all over the island. Even the small wayside shops come out with festive decorations.

Modern day celebrations are highly commercialised and as a result Christmas has lost its true meaning. Lavish spending for clothing, glamour and glitter, undermining the message of the Birth of Jesus to share with the poor and marginalised, have made this great event another tamasha.