The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336. In the 3rd century, the date of the nativity was the subject of great interest. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas from 23rdDec. Closing in on Dec. 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine who converted to Christianity As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established PAGAN celebrations.. the Wiki says so.
And so Christmas…just the word conjures up emotions of love, of family, of festivities. There’s a kind of magic that is associated with the Christmas season. To quote Norman Vincent Peale, Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful!
As we know Traditionally, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and spreads the message of peace and hope. It’s a time when families get together, a time for renewing friendships and helping one another. The laughter of kids, the joy of wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, smell of baked cookies and the delicious aromas of cakes and Pudding, savories that fill the households in a way proclaims loudly that Christmas is here!
Christmas of 2020 we all know, is going to be monumentally different from previous years. The situation we are facing this year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented and it is something we all have never faced. So many lives have been lost and due to travel restrictions imposed, there are many families which can’t be together too.
But I hope with all my heart that we won’t let frustration and the feeling of helplessness overshadow this festive season but instead continue to keep the spirit of Christmas alive by having faith in the higher power that has watched over us and show gratitude and compassion towards our fellow humans.
From my family to yours, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May our ability to love one another bring hope and joy into our lives and the lives of others.
Cover Image Credits: Pixabay
Chef Nandakumar Menon or ‘Chef Nandu as he is known evolved into the Super Chef series. He was at the CASINO HOTEL in Kochi and later at the remarkable COCONUT LAGOON in Kumarakom. Both iconic Hotels and restaurants of repute for the quality and consistency of food offered at their restaurants. Coconut Lagoon where Chef Nandu headed the kitchen moulded him to cater to international clientele from all over the world coming in to experience the magic of the backwaters of Kerala and Kerala itself as a unique destination.
From his early Catering Technology days at Adayar, Chennai and training at the famed TAJ MAHAL INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, Mumbai, Chef Nandu was back again at the Welcome Group’s ADAYAR PARK INN, Chennai.
Later he headed the setting up of the various F&B outlets of the ABAD PLAZA group, Kochi as its Corporate Chef.
And then with the Quilon Beach hotels, Chef Nandu created a redefined art of culinary expertise. His clientele were Doctors, Cashew businessmen and of course celebrities from the tinsel world, the cloyed connoisseurs had a different feel with his nouvelle cuisine.
He still loves to cook and share his valuable experience of the world of food with The Daily Brunch and its readers in our series on SUPER CHEFS.
Cheers!
