By Christina K Sangma
What fun is the holiday season, said Andrew.
One of Andrew’s favourite festivals was Christmas. Andrew grew up in a diverse neighbourhood where festivals of all kinds were celebrated together. Christmas, however, was special to him because it was this one time where the neighbourhood felt all joyful and uniting.
Christmas skits, carols, food and church was something that made Christmas even more meaningful to Andrew.
A day before Christmas eve at sharp 7pm, Andrew and his crew gathered with photocopies of hymns in their hands and wore their warmest clothes and set off for their carol singing around the locality. An early ritual followed every year. In the joy of singing, it did not matter whether the families celebrated Christmas or not. Doors opened, smiles appeared, and everyone joined in. The neighbourhood came alive, filled with the wonderful spirit of the season.
Then it was Christmas eve.
Andrew got ready around 6pm and left for church as there was midnight service and he left for some preparations to be done beforehand. Christmas Eve meant the yearly Christmas skit and this year Andrew was a part of it, he was one of the three wise men. Dressed in a long robe and holding a small box as gifts, he waited backstage, listening to the soft hum of people filling the church.
Andrew had always loved the story of the birth of Jesus. As he waited, His thoughts drifted to the story he loved so dearly, the birth of Jesus. He remembered how Mary and Joseph had travelled a long distance to Bethlehem, tired and unsure, only to find that there was no room for them anywhere. With nowhere else to go, they took shelter in a humble stable. And it was there, among animals and hay, that Jesus was born.
There were no riches, no grand celebration, only a quiet night and a newborn child. Yet that child was believed to carry a message meant for the world, a message of love, humility, forgiveness, and hope. Shepherds were the first to hear of His birth, and wise men from distant lands followed a bright star to find Him, bringing gifts not of wealth, but of meaning.
That was why the day came to be called Christmas, a celebration of Christ’s birth, not as a king in a palace, but as a symbol of light in dark times. The birth of the prince of peace. To Andrew, this story showed that goodness did not need grandeur. Even the smallest beginnings could change the world.
As the skit began, Andrew stepped onto the stage under the warm glow of lights, following the star just as the wise men once had. While delivering his lines, he no longer felt like he was acting. He felt connected to the story, to the meaning of Christmas, and to everyone watching. For Andrew, the skit was more than costumes or applause. It was his way of being part of something sacred and timeless.
As the skit came to an end, the church lights dimmed. A gentle silence filled the space. Then, as the clock struck midnight, soft bells rang through the church. The sound echoed softly, wrapping everyone in warmth.
Merry Christmas! Everyone in church wished one another as smiles spread across faces. Hands were shaken, hugs were shared, and quiet laughter filled the church. Andrew looked around, his heart full. This was his favourite moment; the exact moment Christmas arrived. As he walked out into the cold night, the stars seemed brighter and the air calmer. Andrew knew that Christmas was not just a festival or a holiday. It was a feeling, found in songs sung together, stories retold with love, and the simple joy of togetherness.
And no matter how much he grew, Andrew knew he would always carry that feeling with him.
