Christmas celebration in Kerala - memoir

Christmas is celebrated for a full week in South India, particularly in Kerala, where I was raised. My fondest recollection is of the Christmas carol rounds, where the whole household, including the kids, would visit each home regardless of whether or not their neighbors were Christians. The Christmas Papa, also known as Santa 🎅, would almost always join in, even going so far as to "breakdance," 🕺sing, and give the kids candy. The carol group enters each home to the sound of loud drumming and harmonies, shouting, അത്യുന്നതങ്ങളിൽ ദൈവത്തിനു മഹത്വം - ഭൂമിയിൽMeaning "Glory to God in the highest and Peace to all mankind, God is here to be with man," which was the message given to shepherds searching for a savior at the birth of Jesus. 

The children and the housekeeper would open the doors, and there would be dancing and singing of Christmas carols. Huge paper stars and crosses were a common sight on the carol singers. The family would serve the carolers often "Plum cake" (Fruit cake with dry fruits, nuts, spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg etc. that were socked in alcohol).

 The story of the wise men from the east who traveled to Bethlehem to see Jesus arrive as the great King is symbolized by this rich, spicy, and sweet cake. At home, every penny was spent to get the necessary spice mixtures, the finest wine, and dry fruits as early as November. Christmas was more of a time for family to get together and dine together when I was a kid, rather than a time for receiving gifts. Along with our cousins and other family members, we would deck up our homes with festive decorations, Nativity scenes, and lights to symbolize Jesus' claim that those who follow him will walk in both light and truth. Since we knew the next batch was being made, as kids we made a special effort to be especially truthful and admit if we had eaten the last piece of cake. Every family member would attend church on Christmas morning before returning home to have appam, or rice pancakes, and hot duck stew. In the afternoons, neighbors and friends join together to enjoy games and even better cuisine.

Recipe: https://www.cookingandme.com/kerala-plum-cake-christmas-fruit-cake/

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