Christmas messages

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 25: Christians in Nepal and beyond are celebrating Christmas on Sunday. Issuing a message for the festival, President Bidya Devi Bhandari wished for the happiness, peace and good health of all Nepali Christians living in the country and abroad.

She expressed confidence that such festivals promoted harmony and tolerance among communities coming from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and strengthened national unity. She also hoped that the occasion would inspire everyone to build a prosperous Nepal.

Meanwhile, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun also extended best wishes for Christmas and said that unity in diversity was the beauty of Nepal. Adherents of Christianity celebrate Christmas on December 25 every year as the day Jesus Christ took birth on this earth. He was born to mother Mary and is believed by his followers to be the son of God. He is also praised by Christians as the Messiah - or Christ – the King chosen by God.

The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ and is celebrated as a time for families to come together and cherish each other while remembering the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. People, especially children, also associate the occasion with Santa Claus and the giving and receiving of presents.

The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25 was in 336 AD, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who is held as the first Christian Roman ruler. However, there is no official date given in the Bible and no one knows for sure when exactly Jesus was born.

Christmas was recognised as a national festival in Nepal in 2007 and many Nepalis, regardless of their faith, celebrate it with great zeal and enthusiasm. Ceremonies are held at schools and workplaces too. A day before Christmas, which this year was Saturday, is celebrated as Christmas Eve.