| NORTH
EAST ENQUIRER |
| Headlines Vol. 1 Issue No. 3 | Jan.7 - 21, 2002 |
|
Celebrating Christmas the Mizo way in New Delhi K. Lal Nghinglova The
first
Christian missionaries from Wales landed in Mizoram on 11 January, 1894,
with an aim to preach the tribal people of Mizoram, the then Lushai Hills
of the British empire. By 1948-49 almost 90 per cent of the Mizos accepted
Christianity as a true religion which will lead them to an eternal life. By
virtue of working in various fields of services, the Mizos started
spreading this all over India. In New Delhi the
first Christmas seems to have been celebrated by Mizos in
1968 with a very few members. Since then without ceasing the Mizos
in Delhi, like their own brethren in other parts of the country or the
world celebrated Christmas and New Year every year. With a handful of
Mizos in 1960s now the presence of more than 1000 Mizos including students
in New Delhi alone makes such a difference that the celebration is more
lively and joyful. Like their own brethren in Mizoram and other parts of
the country the Mizos in Delhi celebrated Christmas from the December 24
itself where the Mizos in Delhi are divided into four groups singing carol
songs and traditional songs on the birth of Jesus Christ, dancing,
clapping hands and in fact this had always been the time for those who
lost their loved ones in the preceding year to remember and recollect the
good old times and it is not infact a rare case to see either a man or a
woman secretly or openly weeping during this time of the year. As it
happens this is the time when everybody would like to be with their dear
ones be it their family members, friends, girlfriends or boyfriends
because it is the time to celebrate. On
the December 25, Mizos in New Delhi celebrated Christmas in Mizoram House,
No. 3, Teen Murti Lane where a number of carol songs are sung and the
Christmas message was forcefully delivered by Rev. K. Lalzuala, a
missionary based in Dehradun. The
message contained the message when God and all the angles in heaven lost
their loved one to come to the world to save the human sinners. Even
though it is a time to celebrate it is the day of a great loss for
Almighty God who gave his only begotten son to save the whole world. The
message urged the participants that this is not the time to make good life
and enjoy alone but it is the time to dedicate our lives to the gospel and
in fact since God gave his dearest belongings to the world likewise the
believers should also give away their best belongings for the service of
the gospel. It is learnt that around 400-500 people participated in the
community feast. The Mizos will continue to celebrate Christmas even in
the coming years in the same manner. |
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