Its Christmas Time! - Newskarnataka.com
The Christmas Spirit
Childhood memories of Christmas are the most cherished ones. An 84-year-old woman Ms Pinto (name changed) says, “Christmas was great during childhood here in Mangalore (then) our family had a traditional lunch on the 25th of December every year, with lavish food and roasted turkey. She says children would play around and sweets were of so many varieties and all made at home”
However today things are different – her family still does have a traditional lunch, but she is no more invited - . She resides at Ave Maria Palliative Care in Vamanjoor. She has a kidney disorder and is bound to bed care, even as her family celebrates the grand event elsewhere – Perhaps, she is in their hearts and in their prayers however she is not with them.
She feels the Christmas in the air, every day, as her every physical, emotional and mental need is cared for, by the Institution’s staff. She says, “There are so many people who have terrible lives – I am blessed to be in this home – loved and cared for so much. I would rather be here and live, than die at home”
Mangaluru: “The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school”, said Alice Cooper, the American rock singer.
Yes indeed, it’s that time of the year, when, the air smells of cakes and bakes, the climate is cool and there is love and joy everywhere, not just under the mistletoe of the Christmas tree. It’s that time of the year when the evenings are pleasant and every home is lit-up and radiant. Yes, it’s that time of the year again.
It's Christmas time
It’s that time of the year
Christmas, coming so close as it does to the dawn of a new year, is for many, a time to celebrate - to party, to marry, to network, to fine dine and generally be merry. And that’s how the ubiquitous greeting – ‘Merry Christmas’ came to be. But is that all what Christmas is about?
No, it’s also about quality family time, when families split by geography, become whole again as they come together out of affection and coinciding holidays. They get the opportunity to again eat and pray together. They love, they care and they share, in the true spirit of Christmas.
It’s that time of the year when memories are created that sustains life till death.
It’s Christmas time
It's Christmas time
It’s that time of the year
Christmas, coming so close as it does to the dawn of a new year, is for many, a time to celebrate - to party, to marry, to network, to fine dine and generally be merry. And that’s how the ubiquitous greeting – ‘Merry Christmas’ came to be. But is that all what Christmas is about?
No, it’s also about quality family time, when families split by geography, become whole again as they come together out of affection and coinciding holidays. They get the opportunity to again eat and pray together. They love, they care and they share, in the true spirit of Christmas.
It’s that time of the year when memories are created that sustains life till death.
It’s Christmas time
The Christmas Spirit
Childhood memories of Christmas are the most cherished ones. An 84-year-old woman Ms Pinto (name changed) says, “Christmas was great during childhood here in Mangalore (then) our family had a traditional lunch on the 25th of December every year, with lavish food and roasted turkey. She says children would play around and sweets were of so many varieties and all made at home”
However today things are different – her family still does have a traditional lunch, but she is no more invited - . She resides at Ave Maria Palliative Care in Vamanjoor. She has a kidney disorder and is bound to bed care, even as her family celebrates the grand event elsewhere – Perhaps, she is in their hearts and in their prayers however she is not with them.
She feels the Christmas in the air, every day, as her every physical, emotional and mental need is cared for, by the Institution’s staff. She says, “There are so many people who have terrible lives – I am blessed to be in this home – loved and cared for so much. I would rather be here and live, than die at home”
Ave Maria Palliative Care, founded by Dr. Lavina Noronha is one among the many Christian organizations living the word of God and spreading the true meaning of Christmas. As the carols play softly in the background at the Palliative Care centre, patients gather around, cheerful, playing games and talking to each other.
Its Christmas time
White Doves, run by Corrine Rasquinha is another organization run by a lay Christian that spreads the true essence of Christmas every day – it caters to approximately 120 destitutes, irrespective of caste or creed in two homes and runs purely on the generosity of people.
Its Christmas time
White Doves, run by Corrine Rasquinha is another organization run by a lay Christian that spreads the true essence of Christmas every day – it caters to approximately 120 destitutes, irrespective of caste or creed in two homes and runs purely on the generosity of people.
The apostle Paul said, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.
These principles are echoed in the activities of many institutions and personalities caring and sharing their love, time, resources with those who most need them not just during Christmas, but everyday of every year.
Its Christmas time
What will you ask of Santa?
Another organization, that breathes the Christmas air, is the Samavedhana Aids Home for Children at Adu Maroli for girls and at Pumpwell for boys. Run by individuals under the mentorship of the Citizen Alliance for Rural Development and Training Society (CARDTS), the Home is a center for HIV positive children imbued with the essence of Christmas – for years. Around 56 children are accommodated in these two homes.
During a recent visit, when I asked a child her name she sang to me, “Saa-wiii-triii” - Savithri is in her early teens and wants to be a singer, and when I asked her the one wish, she would like granted by Santa Claus this Christmas, the ever cheerful and confident girl said “Dairy milk Chocolate” – she did not want anything more. It surprised me that this young girl, who was HIV positive since birth, who had lost her parents and has been living in the house for over a period of five years now, did not want anything more.
I also noticed a 12-year-old boy, sitting isolated in a corner. I learnt from Jayalatha, the caretaker, that he was brought to the house just a few months ago, after he was burnt with hot water by his uncle following the death of his parents from AIDS. When I asked him what he would desire when Santa came visiting on Christmas eve, the child said he would just like to play with him as no one plays with him. Incredible, the simple things that children desire.
These principles are echoed in the activities of many institutions and personalities caring and sharing their love, time, resources with those who most need them not just during Christmas, but everyday of every year.
Its Christmas time
What will you ask of Santa?
Another organization, that breathes the Christmas air, is the Samavedhana Aids Home for Children at Adu Maroli for girls and at Pumpwell for boys. Run by individuals under the mentorship of the Citizen Alliance for Rural Development and Training Society (CARDTS), the Home is a center for HIV positive children imbued with the essence of Christmas – for years. Around 56 children are accommodated in these two homes.
During a recent visit, when I asked a child her name she sang to me, “Saa-wiii-triii” - Savithri is in her early teens and wants to be a singer, and when I asked her the one wish, she would like granted by Santa Claus this Christmas, the ever cheerful and confident girl said “Dairy milk Chocolate” – she did not want anything more. It surprised me that this young girl, who was HIV positive since birth, who had lost her parents and has been living in the house for over a period of five years now, did not want anything more.
I also noticed a 12-year-old boy, sitting isolated in a corner. I learnt from Jayalatha, the caretaker, that he was brought to the house just a few months ago, after he was burnt with hot water by his uncle following the death of his parents from AIDS. When I asked him what he would desire when Santa came visiting on Christmas eve, the child said he would just like to play with him as no one plays with him. Incredible, the simple things that children desire.
The stories of the children of the home and how their lives have changed bring out the true meaning of Christmas – the day, that God sent his only son to earth, so that the people he created in his image - but went astray - may be saved from eternal damnation. A greater sacrifice that embodies love, caring and sharing has never been found.
Jayalatha says that one of the inmates, a girl, was thrown in the dustbin, one girl was abandoned under a tree, a few children have a single parent, who are themselves ill, and thus can’t take care of their child and a few just dumped by the their relatives or someone who found them.
Jayalatha says that one of the inmates, a girl, was thrown in the dustbin, one girl was abandoned under a tree, a few children have a single parent, who are themselves ill, and thus can’t take care of their child and a few just dumped by the their relatives or someone who found them.
And in true Christmas spirit – some of these stories that begin with a tragedy have a happy ending as well. Two young women inmates of the house have been married and settled – they are married to men who are HIV positive, but now they have a family, togetherness, love and compassion towards each other. One of these girls is even expecting a child and the due date is near.
Its Christmas time
The true meaning of Christmas
As Thomas Monson said “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values”. This in essence, is the true meaning of Christmas and this thought was echoed by Roy L. Smith, the American minister, when he said, “He who does not have Christmas in his heart, will never find it under a tree.”
He was referring to the Christmas tree that all who celebrate Christmas enjoy making and displaying – it’s a part of Christmas folklore and merriment. However, Christmas resides in the heart is what he said, and rightly so.
Yes, it’s Christmas time, but this year, lets reframe our view of it….
Its Christmas time
The true meaning of Christmas
As Thomas Monson said “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values”. This in essence, is the true meaning of Christmas and this thought was echoed by Roy L. Smith, the American minister, when he said, “He who does not have Christmas in his heart, will never find it under a tree.”
He was referring to the Christmas tree that all who celebrate Christmas enjoy making and displaying – it’s a part of Christmas folklore and merriment. However, Christmas resides in the heart is what he said, and rightly so.
Yes, it’s Christmas time, but this year, lets reframe our view of it….
Newskarnataka wishes its readers a very merry but giving and forgiving Christmas!!!
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