CHRISTMAS

The next season is early winter or HEMANTH RUTU.The Gregorian Months of December and January Coincide withMargashirsh and Paushin India.

We are now going to talk about the jews who live in india. The Jews pray at the synagogue, just as the Hindus pray in a temple and muslims pray in a mosque.

The Jewish festival of HANUKAH,which means "DEDICATION", lasts for 8 days. This is the stroy of HANUKAH. At the temple of Jerusalem, eternal lamps, which symbolised the presence of god,were always kept burning. But the Greeks invaded Jerusalem and put out the lamps.

Eventually, the Jews recaptured Jesusalem and the temple was dedicated to god again by lighting the lamps. A miracle took place then, and the festival of HANUKAH commemorates what happened.

Then the Moment came to relight the Candles, there was only enough oil to keep them burning for ond day. However, Special prayers were offered and somehow the lamps kept for burning for eight days, Until more oil arrived!.

Families and friends gather together and light the special nine branched candlestick called MENORAH or HANUKIAH.

The first evening one candle is lit. The next day, the second candle is lt and so on,until on the eigth evening,all eight candles are burning. The ninth candle is called the SHAMMAS or THE SERVANT CANDLE. It is used to light all the other candles.

Potato Latkes or Pancakes, are cooked in oil and eaten as a reminder of the Miracle. Cards and gifts are exchanged and the game of dreidels is played,though not in india.

The dreidels have four sides and are spun like tops. Each side has a HEBREWletter written on it which begins the words "A Great Miracle Happened There.

The Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th December. It is the BirthDay of Jesus Christ. Not only in India but all over the world, people rejoice on this day.

Long long ago, there lived a Roman EmperorCAESAR AUGUSTUS. One day, the Emperor announced that all the Jews in the Empire would be counted.

In the town ofNAZARETH,lived a humble jewish couple name Joseph and Mary. Every jew was asked to present himseld in his home town by December 25th.So, Joseph and Mary left for BETHLEHEM, inorder to register their names. After the long journey, they reached BETHLEHEM late in the evening. The town was crouded with visitors who had also come to register their names. All the inns were full. Mary and Joseph had to take shelter in a stable. That night,Mary gave birth to a baby. She wrapped him up in swaddling clothes(Narrow strip of cloth) and laid him in a manger. Some shepherds were watching over their flock of sheep near by. Suddenly, an angel appeared before them and announced the birth of Jesus. The shepherds were naturally curious to see the baby and were guided to the stable by a beautiful star. The shepherds saw the baby Jesus and offered their prayers.

Jesus was a son of God who came to earth to guide men and show them how to live a life of truth. On Christmas eve, Church bells ring and christmas Carols are sung. The Christmas tree is decorated in homes. Presents are exchanged. Santa claus is believed to visit homes and leave presents for good children. Christmas is a happy day for all.

A Week after Christmas comes the New Year.This falls on January 1st. It is the first day of the first month of the Gregorian Calendar. It is celebrated all over the World. New year resolutions are made by both young and old people. It is good keep these.