THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT BASTORA

December 18, 2022

THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT BASTORA

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. I went to the church here in Bastora for the first time for Sunday Mass. Usually we go to MBBS Paliem on Sundays but today they had to host the Bal Mela and therefore had no Mass.

I was very impressed to see Fr Robert, MSFS, call the senior citizens to light the fourth candle. The readings were read by a newly married couple. This gave a truly family atmosphere to the celebration.

As is our custom at home, we usually remove some of the Advent decorations like the wreath and flowers to prepare for the grand birthday of Our Lord. This year, I bought some gold net to decorate the living room window. Our theme this year is BELLS so we ordered papier mache bells to give to those who visit us for Christmas or to whose places we visit during the 12 days of Christmas. These bells were ordered online from a Srinagar based website called Gyawun.com (in case anyone reading this is interested).

I had a Santa Claus visit from a friend of a friend who brought the saree and jeggings.

So, what exactly do we do in the week before Christmas?

We continue with the Jesse tree that ends on Dec 24. Baby Jesus will be hidden till Christmas morning or rather till we return early morning after midnight Mass. This year, we plan to go to MSFS seminary chapel for the Christmas celebration.

In the Nativity scene, the ox and ass are already in. Mary and Joseph are on their way....today they are on our coffee table.

Tonight, we also put up the lights in the porch. I still have to buy a star and also a two pin plug so I can plug in both from the same socket.

We also put up a Christmas banner later in the week, around 24 Dec.

What we don't do during this week is Christmas sweets. Strange, yes? The reason for this is that we have seen so much wastage in the past that our hearts are not into making sweets just for the sake of making them. We do however make sweets after Christmas day, during the latter part of the 12 days of Christmas in preparation for the feast of Epiphany.

Instead of making sweets then, we prepare a birthday party for Jesus. So, there's snacks and soft drinks for anyone who visits on Christmas day. We will put up the Happy Birthday banner too and balloons. We sing the Happy Birthday song to Jesus after we return from midnight Mass.

We also make the gift envelopes during this week. In it, we put some cash. These are then given away during the 12 days of Christmas as we are led by the Holy Spirit to bless those who serve us. For example, the garbage collector, the breadman, the petrol pump attendant, the maid, etc.

Gift envelope design for this year.

We take a break from homeschool the week before Christmas until Epiphany. The children and I practise carols in preparation for the big day. We do a bit of deep cleaning, but this year, since we just moved in, there's not much to do really.

I bought a lovely set of sofa throws for the sofa and they look gorgeous. The coffee table will also change from white to red soon. As days pass, the purples and pinks will be replaced by red green, white and gold.

I also started another Nativity scene in my garden bed. Maybe next year, when I get my live Christmas tree, I'll do a Nativity scene under it.

It's nice living on the ground floor. You can decorate the outside beautifully and make others happy to share your joy. This season is so special to us Christians because God came down to be with us and died to save us.

May you all prepare well for the birthday of Our Lord. Don't let the holiday mood spoil that. Its a special time between your family and the Holy Family at Bethlehem. Do enjoy the day and spread the love of God to everyone you meet in this ACE SEASON of JOY.

Update: 20 Dec