CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN NEPAL

Rev Singa Tamang, Pastor-in-charge of Abhishek Methodist Church and West District Superintendent of the Methodist Church in Nepal.

More than 50 festivals are celebrated yearly in Nepal. But even most of the educated classes still consider Christmas as a foreign festival, so it is not very well accepted. Christmas celebration has faced extreme discriminatory behaviour by the state. The main cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara have accepted it as a festival for its commercial value whilst other small towns and cities do not celebrate it at all.

Christmas Celebration in MCN Churches

The Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) celebrates Christmas openly, and it does not matter if the state does not celebrate it. The churches in Nepal celebrate Christmas in different ways. MCN churches celebrate in the following manner:

Decorating the Houses

In the case of decorating the house, it has not yet become widespread among members because of the lack of availability of decorating materials, partly due to the cost. Over the last few years, our members have started putting up Christmas trees and other decorations to remind us of the Christmas season.

Carolling

Our churches conduct carolling mainly for the purpose of evangelism and to declare our faith and beliefs. All members of our families are involved in carolling. Our children and adults sing carols in Nepali and dance in true Nepali style, creating a party-like atmosphere. We go to the houses of our church members, and they invite the surrounding neighbourhood, and we share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Celebration in the Church

25 December is the most important date in our church calendar. Our church members invite their close friends and families to attend church, worship with us, and have a time of fellowship with a good meal. Some of our churches conduct baptisms during their Christmas service.

The church worship programme includes our youth and Sunday School children performing dances, singing songs, and even re-enacting the birth of Jesus Christ. Everyone enjoys these activities. We convey the message that Christmas is not only a religious festival but also a cultural festival. Because dancing, singing, and having fun on any especial occasion is a fundamental characteristic of Nepali culture.

Feasting is also a very important part of the day. Without a feast, our Christmas celebration would be incomplete. Feast in church varies in each church according to geographical deference. In villages, people contribute goods like grains, lentils, vegetables, and chicken for the feast. In the city, people donate money as love gifts to help families who may be financially burdened. When we give love gifts to help these families in need, we encourage the practice and discipline of giving voluntarily. After all, Christmas is a time of giving and God’s greatest gift is His Son Jesus Christ.

Celebrating with Family

Christians are a minority community, and we get only one day off on Christmas Day. Even if we want to have family gatherings, it is very difficult to gather from different places, due to geographical limitations. Therefore, during Christmas time, meeting with family members and going on vacation is not the norm but exchanging Christmas greetings with each other is always preferred and done with great fervour.

Christmas is an excellent opportunity to share the love of Christ.

Conclusion

For our MCN churches, Christmas is an excellent opportunity to share the love of Christ. We view Christmas celebration as an opportunity to share with our families and friends who are non-believers the message of God giving His Son for the people of the world.

A Blessed Christmas to you!!! Immanuel, God with us! Merry Christmas! Kristjanmauthsaw ko subhakamana क्रिस्मसको शुभकामना