THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

21/XII/2023

The weather has started getting ‘Christmassy’. Chill in the air has now got that little ‘bite’. Cheeks are turning red, noses have started dripping slightly, woollen caps, mufflers and hand gloves are out. Except for the snowfall, everything is just right to usher in Christmas.

Our ‘star’ is up, the Christmas tree is deployed, the garden has been lit and the flowers too are in the red and white theme. Baking of cakes has commenced. Of course, the ‘fruits’ have been soaking in rum since almost a week plus.

This time is so hectic. It will be ‘Pakwan’ frying time soon. The items on the menu will be ‘Goojiya’, ‘Sakhen’, ‘Bajre ki tikiya’, ‘Matthi’, ‘Doughnuts’, ‘Khajoor’, ‘Dal ke pakore’ with minty chutney. I am not counting the dry fruits. Neza/chilgoza or pine nuts are my favourites. Rewari and Gajak would also be on the spread.

Being ‘non veg’ lovers, it would be ‘roasted meat’, marinated in just salt and fresh lime and then roasted. In the good old days, it was ‘venison’. Another item is melt in the mouth ‘kebabs’. ‘Bar-be-cue’ and fish is on one of those nights in the week after Christmas would go without saying. All credit to my wife and her cooking and baking skills.

This afternoon, we would go to a bakery, which has been assisting our community since ages to bake cakes in traditional wood fired ovens. The variety this year would be walnut and rich plum cakes.

Christmas week starts with a bang with the ‘Cantata’ service. It is drawn from ‘canere’ which means to sing or chant. It is a Latin word, which also means a piece of music, with voice and instrumental accompaniment, in the form of a solo performance or chorus accompanied by an orchestra, where Christmas Carols and Hymns are sung. These days we have competitions for various choirs.

Followed by this is the door-to-door Carol singing. Earlier when the town was small and resources were few, boys and girls who are the mainstay of the ‘gasht’ or a typical round, where folks went singing carols from home to home on cycles and walking. Now, people have spread to various locations of the town, a mini bus is hired for the purpose. However, the spirit of singing and ushering Christmas stays the same. Yesterday, the party blessed our home.

I recall, as a 2 Lt while posted in Jaisalmer one would be lucky if I could manage a Temporary Duty to the Sun City and accompany the party in my fauji jeep, loaded with ‘josh boosting liquids’ and ‘chabena’ for ‘quickies’ which seniors would ‘maaro’ during breaks. For children my pockets were always full of toffees and chocolates. More than the bus, people preferred to travel in that open jeep in the biting cold for obvious reasons.

The human internal combustion engine was warmed up slowly and steadily, till all fuel finished by the wee hours of the morning when we used to break off. This used to last for three to four days on the trot. The ‘Chanda’ or donations collected is utilized to organise a ‘community picnic’ for the whole congregation. Everyone lends a hand to help prepare a sumptuous meal at the end of the day. While the rest of us play games and sports and socialise.

Then one day we have ‘pot luck service’. Vegetarians, which are few and far between, have a tough time. Imagine if fifty families get a dish each, what a spread it would be. Mind you, not one can say that he or she didn’t over eat.

The main festival is just a few days from now but the spirit of spreading peace and joy is already on. We the Ellis family wish you Compliments of the Season, Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year in advance. Hope you all have behaved well for Santa to bring you gifts which you have prayed for. May our friends stay blessed, happy, healthy and lift each other's spirit like always.

Who all will be joining us this Christmas? I wonder!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Sun City.

JAI HIND