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Pahan Tharu Rayak – Christmas Fiesta 2021 – by Clifford Lazarus When it comes to Christmas, you know the spirit of the festival is in the air. Truth be told, how could you not?  Sri Lanka’s Friendship Society (SLFS) in Hamilton, New Zealand, successfully hosted Pahan Tharu Rayak – Christmas Fiesta 2021 on December 18th 2021. At the heart of the Christian celebration are the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus.  Most children are familiar with the elements of this story, like the appearance of angels, the experiences of Jesus’s parents, Mary and Joseph, and the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus on the night he was born.  To exist in a multi-ethnic society, where different religions and ethnic groups inhabit and share their lives, it was heartwarming to witness other cultures and faiths join in celebrating this joyous occasion. For the many non-Christian children who attended and participated, they will ...