ah, its the time of the year again.. the season of giving and sharing... well, not really though.. its more on the adults spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars, sacrificing precious time pushing through crowds at the local mall to buy last minute presents, and the children recieveing with glee at the sight of their presents... yes, its CHRISTMAS again!!... a tradition that has been relived for the past 4000 years... for the next 12 days, Christmas will commence with the bright fires, the yule log, the giving and more importantly receiving of gifts , Christmas carolers, the FEAST, as well as the church processions... to christians, it is a way to celebrate the birth of Christ...but what really is the true story of Christmas?...

some sources quote it as a european celebration of light and birth during the darkest days of winter, when they could look forward to the birth of a new and energised sun... where they could enjoy the comforts of warmth and longer days in the coming months...

it was also said that in Scandinavia, the norse had Christmas from the 21st of december for the usual 12 days... fathers and sons would bring home the yule logs and light it, feasting till the fire went out... which in most cases, would take around 12 days to burn out... they were also deemed to have believed that each and every spark from the fire represented the new cattle that would be born in the coming years...

but here in malaysia, i think that Christmas is still put a little below of what its worth... i guess that this could be because of the fact that malaysia is an islamic country and that the Christian community here represents a drop of water from a big well representing the citizens of malaysia.... well, not exactly a drop, maybe a pint or two... hehe... but at the same time, while Christmas is celebrated only by christians in other countries such as the US, UK and more closer, Australia, here in malaysia, we have a different situation... looking at our populace which consists of various cultures, backgrounds and religions, we have come to accept Christmas as one of our well, in a sense, national celebration... (though i still think Christmas is below what its actually worth... ) you see, if it weren't so, we wouldn't have shopping malls decking their halls with lights, giant stockings, 'snow'men, as well as the 2 things truly synonymous with Christmas, Santa Claus and The Great Christmas Tree... to name these malls, KLCC for one, with its gigantic tree with purplish decorations... and Midvalley with the giant backdrop and Santa Clauses on their little excursions around the mall wishing merry x'mas to all who're in his path... (along with his elves.. of course... females to be precise... hmmm... i never knew elves to be females... it was never in any show that i recall seeing female elves... hahaha... )

but overall, i guess and truly hope that Christmas would be given its true recognition as a wonderful, wonderful way to express love, hope and peace around the country... i am a buddhist myself, but i acknowlegde Christmas as an integral way to keep the spirit of love and peace alive... especially with the world in its state of war and misunderstanding... may the magic Christmas shower us all with harmony and peace during these testing times...
and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

PS: my sources for the above history on Christmas...
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real.html
http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm