Musings: Christmas Eve in Dubai

When I was a kid in Bombay, and I am talking of the years 1955 – 1960, there was a sizeable Christian population there. India had recently got independence and was finding its footing. Therefore there were quite a few British and other western expat managers.

On Christmas Eve groups of small children would move around and sing carols in front of each building. I can still hear in my mind their melodious renderings of “Silent Night”, “Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer” and other carols.

After singing five or six carols they would come knocking on each flat and it was a tradition to shower them with gifts or sweets. Eeven money.

All communities gave happily – Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists.

These children were the best ambassadors for Christianity and did a lot to promote inter-religious harmony.

On the 24^th December eve, the tradition was to drive around Bombay marveling at the brilliant lights that decked the city for Christmas and New Year.

India gradually got rid of its non-Indian managers and with their departure this tradition too deed down.

One of the significantly large blocks of Christians in India were the “Anglo-Indians” – “descendants of British men, generally from the colonial service and the military, and lower-caste Hindu or Muslim women.” (source: angloindian.com). These “Anglos” as they were called could not find their foothold in India as they were not accepted as a community and they moved away to England, Australia etc.

With the departure of the expat Christian managers and the Anglos, Indian streets fell silent during Christmas.

Last night, keeping alive a tradition that is now over 40 years old, my wife and I drove through Dubai’s streets and visited malls and hotels to check out the Christmas Cheer. Sadly, it was muted.

I wonder how Christmas Eve is in places around the world.

Cheers,

Prakash