• Prof Dr Nishant A. Irudayadason
  Pontifical Athenaeum Jnana Deepa

As December approaches, the air fills with anticipation of Christmas, a season celebrated for its spirit of joy, goodwill, and togetherness. In India, Christmas transcends the boundaries of its religious origins, embraced by people of diverse faiths and cultural traditions. Yet, amidst the glittering decorations, carol recitals, and festive cheer, Christmas in contemporary India carries a heavier burden: it unfolds in the shadow of growing secularism and religious fundamentalism. These forces, seemingly opposite, pose challenges to the celebration of religious festivals as inclusive, unifying events.

India’s pluralism has always been its strength. Our festivals—be it Eid, Diwali, or Christmas—have historically served as occasions for interfaith camaraderie. Christmas, with its universal message of peace and goodwill, has often stood as a bridge, linking diverse communities. Schools, markets, and public spaces across India have traditionally echoed with Christmas hymns and festive greetings, uniting people in celebration. However, the shifting social and political climate is altering this dynamic. On one hand, secularism is increasingly interpreted as the erasure of public expressions of religion to avoid offending others. On the other, religious fundamentalism, marked by majoritarian attitudes and the politicisation of faith, fuels division. These twin pressures make the public celebration of Christmas a litmus test for India’s commitment to its pluralistic heritage.

• At its heart, Christmas is about love, compassion, and solidarity—values that resonate across religious and cultural lines. The birth of Christ, celebrated as the arrival of a saviour bringing hope to the marginalised, carries a universal relevance. To reclaim this spirit, we must resist viewing Christmas as solely a religious event or, conversely, as a purely commercial spectacle devoid of spiritual depth. Instead, Christmas can serve as a moment to reflect on shared values: caring for the poor, embracing the outsider, and working for peace.

Secularism, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, implies equal respect for all religions. But in practice, it has often morphed into a call for the exclusion of religion from the public sphere. Schools are sometimes hesitant to host Christmas events to avoid appearing biased. Public institutions may sideline festive decorations, fearing accusations of favouring one religion over others. While such caution stems from a desire to maintain neutrality, it risks eroding the cultural richness that festivals bring. True secularism does not demand the suppression of religious expression but rather the creation of spaces where multiple faiths can be celebrated equally. When the joyous commemoration of Christmas is seen as a threat to neutrality, we lose an opportunity to foster interfaith dialogue and mutual respect.

Contrasting this trend is the rise of religious fundamentalism, which seeks to monopolise public and cultural spaces for the dominant faith. In such an atmosphere, minority religious celebrations, including Christmas, are often viewed with suspicion. Fringe groups have disrupted Christmas carol processions and accused Christian communities of proselytization, casting a shadow over what should be a time of joyous celebration. This hostility reflects a larger issue: the diminishing willingness to see festivals as shared cultural events. The more Christmas is perceived as a “foreign” or exclusive celebration, the more it becomes alienated from India’s broader cultural tapestry. Such narrow perceptions undermine the spirit of inclusivity and mutual respect that India’s festivals have historically embodied.

In this divided context, the true spirit of Christmas offers an antidote to the forces of both excessive secularisation and fundamentalism. At its heart, Christmas is about love, compassion, and solidarity—values that resonate across religious and cultural lines. The birth of Christ, celebrated as the arrival of a saviour bringing hope to the marginalised, carries a universal relevance. To reclaim this spirit, we must resist viewing Christmas as solely a religious event or, conversely, as a purely commercial spectacle devoid of spiritual depth. Instead, Christmas can serve as a moment to reflect on shared values: caring for the poor, embracing the outsider, and working for peace. Churches and communities can use the occasion to engage in acts of service that transcend religious boundaries, such as distributing food, hosting interfaith dialogues, or organising events that celebrate diversity.

As we light our Christmas trees and sing carols this year, let us remember that the essence of the festival lies not in grand displays but in simple acts of love and kindness. Whether it is sharing a meal with a neighbour of a different faith or supporting initiatives for the underprivileged, these small gestures embody the spirit of Christmas. In a time when secularism and fundamentalism seem to pull society in opposing directions, Christmas can remind us of the middle path: one where respect for all religions coexists with the celebration of each in its unique beauty. This path requires courage and imagination, but it is the only way to preserve the soul of India’s pluralism. Christmas in India is not just a celebration; it is a symbol of the nation’s enduring ability to find unity in diversity. As we confront the challenges posed by growing secularism and religious fundamentalism, the festival offers a timely reminder of the values that bind us together. Let this Christmas be a season of renewal, where we reaffirm our commitment to love, compassion, and inclusivity—values that can guide us in healing the divides of our age.