CHRISTMAS TIME, MISLETOE AND WINE

PANJIM: The churches and chapels resonated with the sound of bells, which along with midnight masses marked the Christmas celebrations in the state, to mark the birth of Lord Jesus. There were grand displays of fireworks also to mark the joyous occasion of arrival of Lord Jesus.

People, dressed in their best to suit the occasion, thronged in large numbers to the churches and chapels in their areas to hear the midnight masses. The people, many of whom have come to the state to celebrate the feast, exchanged greetings with one another on the joyous occasion, which also is marked as a day of reunion.

The churches, chapels, homes have been tastefully decorated to suit the event with cribs depicting the scenario prevailing the birth of Lord Jesus in Bethlehem being set up at various places.

A host of dignitaries in the state, including the Governor, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik and the Archbishop of Goa, Rev Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao, have extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Christmas.

The Governor in his message has said: “On the joyous occasion of Christmas, I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa, especially the Christian brethren. It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to foster the values that Jesus Christ professed and practised for the benefit of humanity.”

Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life. On the auspicious eve of Christmas, let us rededicate ourselves to live together as members of one family and work for the greater glory and progress of the nation, in keeping with the spirit of the message of Jesus Christ, the Governor said further in his message.

The Chief Minister in his message has said: “We celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The message of peace, love and sacrifice given by Lord Jesus and his teachings to care for the poor and weaker sections of the society are relevant even today.”

Let us on this occasion of ‘Natal’ rededicate ourselves to make Goa an ideal state in the country wherein every individual will be employed or engaged in gainful employment and thereby earn decent living, Mr Kamat said in his message further.

In his message, the Home Minister has said that Christmas was an occasion to celebrate and imbibe Lord Christ’s message of brotherhood, compassion and forgiveness which was universal and has timeless relevance.  “His teachings have the power to save mankind from ignorance, turmoil and moral decay. Together, they could help realise the vision of a peaceful, compassionate and harmonious world,” Mr Naik said.

The Archbishop has in his message on the occasion said that Christians all over the world believe that the unseen God took human form in Jesus and was born as a frail babe at Bethlehem, two thousand years ago. And Christmas commemorates that great event, every year.

The feast of Christmas is a universal invitation to humankind: an invitation to fraternity and friendship, to unity and peace and, above all, to make space for God in our life and society. This is actually God’s dream for the humankind he created, the Archbishop has said.  “I take this opportunity to convey my warm greetings and Christmas wishes to the people in Goa and to everyone,” he has said.