Christmas celebration in Kerala

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/

YouTube

Comments

The Nativity - by Gari Melchers

This could be my first ever critique of art that I have ever written and that is because it is only recently art has captured my interest as much as this work. This write up is made both in English and German as I want to practice my German. 'The Nativity' by Gari Melchers. I am not an art expert and my critique is from a layman's point of view, but bear with me. I have tried reading some information about the art and the culture behind it and I have my two favourite blog posts about the same work and yes, I have shamelessly copied some of their thoughts. Woebegone but Hopeful and other is by Lisa VO . Julius Garibaldi Melchers (August 11, 1860 – November 30, 1932) was an American artist. He was one of the leading American proponents of naturalism. He won a 1932 Gold medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.[1] - Wikipedia The Nativity is painted during the peak of realism movement - in a gritty and less idealised manner . For m

2 Kings 5 | Part 2 | Naaman and the Offense of the cross

This section of the story in 2 Kings chapter 5 focuses on Naaman. We know that Naaman was the commander in chief of the armies of Syria and possibly the right hand man as he was incharge of strategic, political and warfare and security. This was a very prestigious role that Naaman had earned. Some Jewish Rabbis say that his ruthlessness and his power resulted in God punishing Naaman with Tzaraat which is translated as Leprosy. For the sake of these notes, I would consider the word Leprosy. Naaman was powerful and wise. In fact, it was God who had blessed him from the start. The verse says that Naaman was a powerful and influential man valued by the king greatly. His victory was a gift from God to Aram. Why would God bless a foreign nation to attack the Israelites? In Deuteronomy chapter 28, Moses tells the people that God would make the enemies of Israel punish the people of God if they are disobedient. Jehoram, the then king of Israel was the son of Ahab. Ahab and his wife Jezebel le

Studies Through 1st Peter | 1 Peter 1: 1 | About Peter

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: Preface: Why are we looking through this book? Unlike the letter of James, this book is written to a Jewish / Gentile Christians who are scattered across various provinces that are outside their ideal world. In the last two weeks we have been looking at what it means to live as people who love God. Today and the weeks to follow, we will look at how this is meant to be worked out as people living among other nations. Written by Silvanus (he is the typist) - probably Silas along with Mark From "babylon" .. well babylon did not exist in that time as an important place. It was a code, a code for what Babylon stood for. Enmity to God - Where was the enemy? in Rome - Who was the enemy - Introduc

Renewed to Honor

Search This Blog