By Tom Holland –
Remarkably, Christmas is widely celebrated in India, though its scale and nature vary significantly across the country due to its predominantly Hindu religious landscape. While Christians make up only 2-3% of India’s population, Christmas has become a culturally significant holiday that is embraced by people of various faiths, particularly in urban areas.
For example, Christmas markets were booming in India during December, an unexpected phenomenon in South Asia where people bought gifts, indulged in sweet treats, and many were introduced to the story of Jesus.
“When we go to foreign countries, we always think these flea markets are beautiful and now everything is here in India,” said one woman as she immersed herself in the spirit of a New Delhi market. “We love all the beautiful colors and the beautiful collections.”
Who would have ever dreamed up this way to evangelize on the subcontinent where Christians make up such a small percentage of the country’s population?
Their celebrations constituted a big splash in a country where the fanfare is usually for the Hindu pantheon of gods.
While Muslims are appalled that God would come down to earth and walk among men, many Hindus are tolerant. Typically, they regard Jesus as just another of the millions of gods.
But sometimes Hindus are resistant to “foreign” religions, so a Christmas market can be a perfect way to plant seeds for the Gospel. The person goes for fun, food and fancy crafts but winds up hearing the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
“You shouldn’t give only to your loved one,” says Megha Kakkar on WION news in India. “I feel you should give it to others, the needy. People don’t mind spending those days for a little kindness.”
Beginning in November, churches were decorated with lights, balloons, garlands, paper stars and Christmas trees. Members went caroling. All of these activities tend to draw friendly attention, sometimes a first step to faith.
The Calvary General Baptist church used to pull out Santa Claus to draw people and present the gospel, but this year they went caroling in the Siddipet district in Telangana.
“Caroling in the villages involved a whole new method of outreach,” reports missionary Jessey Vemula on GBJournal. “The event lasted three hours or more and included preaching, a visit from Santa, traditional dancers (telling the Jesus story in a cultural way), showing the JESUS film, and a cake cutting to share with everyone.”
Small business owners who make handcrafted goods can come and hawk their products. They too will hear the good news about Jesus.
“We are less than 3 percent of India’s population, but Christmas is celebrated universally in the country,” says P. D. Valson, a Christian baker from Bangalore, in Arab News. “Streets are lit up, shops are decorated, there are special sales in the market and people from all faiths come to participate in the Midnight Mass. The popularity of Christmas shows the beauty of secular India, where people celebrate all festivals no matter which faith they belong to.”
In regions with large Christian populations, such as Goa, Kerala, Northeast India (e.g., Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya), and Mumbai, Christmas was celebrated with enthusiasm. Many homes were decorated with stars, fairy lights, and Christmas trees, and traditional sweets like kalkals and neureos were prepared.
In Goa, the Portuguese influence was evident in the vibrant church services and unique cuisine.
In Kerala, traditional Syrian Christian dishes were part of the feast.
In the Northeast, Christmas is deeply integrated into tribal customs and community gatherings.
Schools and workplaces celebrated with Christmas parties, Secret Santa gift exchanges, and performances, making it a culturally inclusive occasion.
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Related articles: Trouble for Christmas markets in Europe, Christmas markets a target for terrorism, toys at Christmas time link to perversion.
About this writer: “Spiderman” studies at the Lighthouse Christian Academy near in Los Angeles.
