Santa takes a bow

Christmas is also a time for people like Peter to take a trip down the memory lane. Way back in 1955, Peter, then employed with the Air Force, used to ride a cycle from his house in Palam to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption near the Central Secretariat every Sunday. 8220;When you are young, distances are of no consequence,8221; he says, recalling his first Christmas in Delhi. He agrees with his friend

M D Booth that the spirit of Christmas hasn8217;t really changed over the years.

For Booth, secretary of the All India Anglo-Indian Association, the change that he perceives in the last 30-40 years is that celebrations have become more and more secular. A retired Railway official, Booth says he would be celebrating along with his Kashmiri daughter-in-law and Rajasthani son-in-law. 8220;The other change is the fact a large number of members of the Anglo Indian community has migrated elsewhere. But then there are 478 families who get together during Christmas,8221; he adds.

However, there are others who say that the change is much more than home-baked cakes being replaced by those bought from bakeries. Retired DU teacher and a senior member of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee Cynthia Masih points out the changes that have taken place in the way the Carols are sung these days. 8220;The traditional Christian hymns have been replaced by general prayers. Perhaps the individualistic approach of each sub-group within the community is the reason behind this change. Also, the traditional tunes are gradually being replaced by 8216;modern8217; Rock tunes, in keeping with the fact that a new generation, in tune with fast-paced music, is taking part in Carol singing,8221; she says, pointing out that the elaborate morning procession around the Velankanni Church at Khan Market has become shorter.

Arnold James adds that a fast-paced lifestyle has resulted in everything becoming 8220;crisper8221;. 8220;Time was when 15 days prior to Christmas, groups of Carol singers used to go from door-to door and after the Christmas service people used to linger on in the church premises to wish one another. Now, everyone wants an abridged version. People leave almost immediately after the service is over.8221; James, a Member of the Delhi Minority Commission, is treasurer at Saint James Church, the oldest surviving church of Delhi. While his wife, Reverend Suzana James is busy with activities leading up to Christmas at a church in Pitampura, James is anxious to ensure that the historic Saint James Church8212; built in 18368212;is ready for the occasion. Being associated with the church for a long time, he knows almost every member personally. 8220;We have even fifth generation worshippers coming to this church.8221;

One such member, Lyra Paul, a retired Delhi University teacher, is busy buying gifts and ensuring that the church looks spick and span. 8220;As a school student, I had experienced colour bias to the extent that when Queen Elizabeth visited the church, we children were not allowed to enter and had to wait outside in the lawn. Now of course, the church is open for one and all,8221; she says.

Arnold says the management is trying to ensure that the church, which normally stays open only for the Sunday service, stays open day-and-night during the Commonwealth Games so that tourists from all over the country and world can come and see the western classical design, Greek cross plan and the dome that bears resemblance to that of the Florence Cathedral, along with the church8217;s stained glass windows that were restored by INTACH in 1996. This midnight mass, at least the dome will be ready8212;painted exactly the way it was when it was built by James Skinner, the legendary soldier born to a Scottish father and a Rajput mother.