IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN

IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

23/XII/2024

Christmas time is here. We waited all year for the ‘yule tide’ to come. Cold weather, celebrations, parties, carol singing, pot luck dinners, picnic, socialising, variety of winter flowers, Christmas trees, non veg preparations, baking Christmas cakes and Pakwans is synonymous to Christmas. Last but not the least we fondly remember the ones who have slept in the Lord.

The house looks Christmassy and smells Christmassy too. Buntings, decorations, lighting up the home, and decorating the Christmas tree is done. The Carol Singing party visited our home and sang with full josh.

Rejuvenating friendship, kinship, relationships, bonds, and ties is the essence of Christmas. Rekindling and remembering good old days and friends are part of the merry making. Festivities, feasting and gifting will extend well into the new year.

Our kitchen would be the hub centre of activity with puddings and snacks being churned out for our friends. While cakes will remain the mainstay every Christmas. The spread would be mouthwatering and smells enchanting throughout these two or three weeks, till we will crave for the leftovers.

Let me make a clarification here. Most of our friends relate to Christmas as just the ‘midnight mass’ and wishing/visiting us on 25^th Dec. They are not aware that our home remains open for the next two weeks. It doesn’t mean that the festival is over the same day. You guys are most welcome anytime.

Our preparations have begun already, with cakes baked to perfection. They smell delicious and taste delightful too. Fresh out of the oven, a little warm, soft, and aromatic, with smells of not only the cake but spices which go in. Surprised? No Christmas cake is complete without a dash of nutmeg, cinnamon, and mace or ‘javitri’ etc. Lungs are full of aroma.

‘Rum cake’ is what most friends look forward to. The cake is not dipped in rum but it is the ‘cake fruit’ consisting of orange peels, ginger, resins, sultanas, tutti-frutti etc which takes a soaking for a week or more in XXX rum. People are also sensitive to eggs, so we avoid serving it unless friends ask for it. Aim is to enjoy and savour the goodies, rather than complicating issues.

Vegetarians and those who preach about cruelty to animals kindly excuse because Christmas is not complete without meat. A ‘brigade’ of such kinds would start circulating forwards to spoil the festival.

Dressing is at its best in this season besides smiles and happiness are seen abundantly during this time. It is time to air my favourite, the scarfs during this time of the year.

Santa is always there to lift our spirits. He is the soul of the season. Kids desperately await for his arrival to fill their stalking’s. Love hangs in the air and carols can be heard in every home. That is the spirit of Christmas.

Music reverberates in homes. All those like me who cannot sing also try to let the vocal cords to exercise. Standing in the choir, even a non singer like me can pass through. The sing song meetings with musical instruments make evenings more enthralling.

Pets too enjoy this season. Some find eats unattended, which they attend to. The Christmas tree can be knocked over many times over by them because of their excitement and enthusiasm to welcome guests. They are family and love to listen to our conversations and even enjoy music. Why should they be left out?

How fast did this year pass by like a blink of an eye. The ups and downs are all forgotten and we await to welcome the New Year on a positive note. So, join us my friends to celebrate Christmas.

May we love humanity more. May every family have food on their plates. May all wars end. May there be peace, tolerance, and tranquillity in our country and on earth. That’s our prayer.

My wife and daughter join me in wishing each one of you “Compliments of the season, A very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year ahead”.

Who all are joining us? I wonder!!!!!

🎄🎅🤶🎅🤶

JAI HIND

©®NOEL ELLIS