It is a time when traditionally all Mauritians will spring clean their homes and, depending on circumstances, some will even put up new curtains and paint their houses. Often a new outfit is made or bought, thus ensuring that everything and everyone is ready to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. It is a special season for families to spend time together, attend a Christmas church service and read the Christmas story from the scriptures together on Christmas morning.
One of the natural symbols of Christmas is the Flamboyant tree, which flowers every year at Christmastime. In Mauritius we associate the flowering of the Flamboyant with Christmas just like people in the northern hemisphere associate snow with Christmas.
'He was born so I can live.'
