MY CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES By Jeremy Leariwala Christmas time has always been a time to create memories, good ones for that matter. From the festivities; nuptials included, new dresses, shoes and toys to the urban folks strutting across the dusty-rural-streets in style, there is always something unique about the time. At the back of our minds (born 70s, 80s and 90s), images of model cities, created by the frail hands of villagers using clay, at the centre of the village, are tucked and vividly clear as if it is just the other day that we participated in Christmas competitions. When I was a child there were inter-villages competitions every end of the year. The rules were simple: the villagers were to organize themselves and use clay to create a model of Bethlehem, where Joseph & Mary had gone to be taxed. It must show Bethlehem as it were during the birth of Jesus Christ. Depending with the creativity of the villagers and their understanding of the story of Christ’s birth in the bible, the model was supposed to have everything (including that star). The village with the ‘realest’ model was ranked the best and awarded a prize. In fact the best three villages were recognized. For many years I looked forward to every end of year.
With the Corona virus lurking in the shadows, I found myself reminiscing on the old days recently. The Christmas competitions brought together all of us, the villagers. The clay models jogged our minds and forced us to reread the bible in order to be sure of where to place the shepherds, the star, or the manger with the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes... “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” So, the angel and the shepherds were put together, somewhere in the field... Then came the Christmas day itself; a hectic day with a special feeling. The services at the worship places were heart touching and every music system played the carols with the bells jingling here and there. Almost everyone had a new garment, everyone was extra generous and the atmosphere was laden with the aroma, from a delicious meal, that could be perceived half a kilometre away. The merry making, the joy and the attitude of the villagers was the best way to wrap up a year (no matter how tough life had been). Oh, sweet memories... Rejoice my friend, it is the Christmas season; a time to commemorate the coming of the messiah, the son of God and the reason to realize that we have a loving God who is bigger than anything. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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