Houston Community News >> Holiday Traditions Come Closer

12/23/2006-- But his Hindu beliefs don't stand in the way of him celebrating Christmas with family and friends.

Xu Lin, a 23-year-old who immigrated from China to the United States at the age of 13, also celebrates Christmas even though he is Buddhist. Lin says he also believes in Christianity and that he is like many younger Chinese-Americans who celebrate the holiday.

Ranganathan and Lin are part of a growing number of people from different religious backgrounds who celebrate Christmas. Many have developed their own celebrations that they blend with traditional American customs to create their own holiday memories.

Ranganathan grew up attending a Catholic school in India and celebrating Christmas with midnight Mass.


Christmas in India wasn't about Santa Claus, he said, nor was it surrounded by the commercialism of the season.

It was a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and a time of hope for people in India and around the world, Ranganathan said.

The Ranganathans celebrate Christmas by decorating their home, giving gifts to friends and neighbors and watching "Frosty the Snowman."

At home, they don't exchange gifts and none are left under or near their 2-foot fiber optic tree.

"Our sense of Christmas is not focused on gifts," he said. "It's a day that gives hope for all people that focuses on the birth of Christ."

Ranganathan has passed on his spiritual views of Christmas to his 12-year-old son, Athri, who he's also tried to expose to a variety of religious beliefs, customs and cultures.

"He certainly has a lot of exposure not only from school but also from his American grandparents," Ranganathan said of Athri's relationship with Miriam and John Dunn. The Dunns and Ranganathans spend most holidays together and view each other as close family.

"From the time he was born, he's been exposed to all of the American celebrations," Ranganathan said. "I think he's probably got a broad exposure."

On Christmas, Ranganathan plans to spend a little time focusing on the birth of Jesus with his wife, Vandana, and son. They will then have Christmas lunch with the Dunns.

"He knows what Christmas is about because we talk to him about the meaning," Ranganathan said. "Coming from India, Christmas was not about Santa Claus. Christmas truly meant midnight Mass where you celebrate the birth of Christ, and that's what I try to give to my son."

Xu Lin, who many call "Mike", also has his own ways of celebrating Christmas. Lin recognizes the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. He also views the holiday from the American perspective that includes Santa Claus, Christmas trees and gifts.

His exposure to American customs and religious beliefs have also influenced his views.

"I was educated here so I learned a lot of things here from the church," he said.

More and more Chinese families celebrate Christmas as the message of Christ's birth is told in China by American missionaries. Older Chinese generations don't observe the holiday as much as younger generations, Lin said.

"People over in Asia, a lot of them now do celebrate Christmas," he said. "Older Western holidays are entering the East."

Lin's parents don't take part in Christmas celebrations but Lin does by giving and receiving gifts and spending part of the day with family.

Lin will spend part of Christmas working at Wilson's Good Taste Buffet, where a Christmas tree is centered near the front door. After work, he'll spend time with family.

"We have a big meal," he said. "It's just like a family reunion."

Some Americans do not observe the holiday at all.

Barbara Barshay, a Jewish woman who grew up in Wilson, has never celebrated Christmas. As a young girl, she took part in many of the Jewish holidays that were regularly celebrated by Wilson's Jewish community.

"It's difficult when you're a child and you're different," she said. "You kind of go through this holiday and everyone wishes you a 'Merry Christmas'. People automatically think everyone is a Christian and everyone celebrates Christmas."

Barshay isn't offended by Christmas celebrations or Christian-themed holidays. She just doesn't participate. She does, however, respect other's beliefs and expressions of faith.

"Christmas is like another day to me," Barshay said. "We were taught all religions should be respected."

Barshay grew up celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which usually occurs around the Christmas season. The celebration focuses on the liberation of the Jewish people during the 2nd Century B.C. when they reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem from the Greek empire.

The Hanukkah tradition of lighting candles for eight days is connected to the Jewish victory when one day's worth of oil remained miraculously lit for eight days inside the temple. Hanukkah involves family celebrations, some gift giving and the lighting of candles for eight days.

Christmas is still a holiday Barshay recognizes as important to most Americans.

"Christmas is a holiday that most of the people I know celebrate," she said. "It's a time to celebrate their holiday."

(Contributed by WilsonDaily.com)