A different kind of Christmas celebration

“Christmas comes once a year. But this year we all have to celebrate Christmas when there are many problems in the country. Our parents can’t cook us delicious food, buy us a beautiful dress, and buy us gifts for Christmas this time like they used to do. This time our Christmas trees are burdened with our sorrow”, said some children who sang carols at a Christmas party.

That Christmas party was recently held in the Mutwal (Colombo 13), Picchamalwatta area of the Colombo Archdiocese and it was not as colorful as the usual Christmas celebrations. There were no different types of tasty food and drinks. Those who sang carols were not dressed in elaborate costumes. It was a very elegant yet simple celebration that reminded us of the goodness of Christmas.

This simple Christmas event, which took a different approach, was held at Picchamalwatta Child Development Center in the evening of the 16th, and the chief guest of the event was Father Rohan Silva, director of the Centre for Social and Society in Colombo 08.

Instead of the Christmas tree of Picchamalwatta children being decorated with colorful Christmas decorations and toys, the Christmas tree was decorated with several pieces of notes written on the hardships children are facing at home currently. Children got permission to dress in whatever they are having and no need to prepare any new costumes for any events.

“Instead of decorating our Christmas tree with Christmas decorations, the children said that they thought of decorating the Christmas tree with the problems we children face at home and school, and Christmas or the birth of Jesus came to us when we were all very tired from severe financial and economic problems.” said some children to Mojo News.

“The price of shoes is very high”, “malnutrition has increased”, No money to buy school books”, No food” , ” No milk powder” , “Poverty has increased” , “Drugs are consuming us”, etc. the Christmas tree was decorated with leaves.

“Due to the economic problem and various problematic situations in the country, today we are celebrating this Christmas in a very simple way. But its message is very deep. According to our belief, Christmas commemorates the coming of the Son of God to live among us. The Son of God came to live with us means that we are valuable people no matter what status we live in. So we are all the same. There is no difference between high and low. Likewise, there is God within each of us. Therefore, we should love that God by loving others. God should be kept alive in society by sharing with others, with those who cannot be lost.” Said Father Rohan Silva giving a short speech during the carol service.

In addition, Father invited all to stand together to find answers for the sake of justice and fairness in the face of the issues that are shown through this Christmas.

Sanath Fernando, the Coordinator of Picchamalwatta Child Development Program, addressed the gathering at the end of several Christmas carols in Sinhala and English presented by individuals and groups of children.

“50 percent of the country’s children under the age of 05 are malnourished. And 15 percent of normal children suffer from malnutrition. There are 63 lakh, people, without food. It is in this environment that we remember the birth of God this time. We need to work wisely to change these conditions”. he said.

The Picchamalwatta Child Development Program is a program run by the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) Maradana, to provide free education to school-going children of low-income families living in the Picchamalwatta area.  About 30 children are getting good service from this education program which is conducted by four teachers paid by CSR everyday evening from 3.00 to 5.00 pm. The classes have for grades 3 to 10.