'Its the most wonderful time of the year....' sang Andy Williams in his 1964 album. Indeed, there's something about Christmas, that just makes the season completely magical. And the scene in Goa is no different. Here's a look at how Goans keep the Christmas cheer alive
The cobwebs have been brushed away from the christmas decorations and prettily hung up all around the place.The nachni meant for the cribs has been planted. The letters to Santa posted. Happy Christmas carols have begun playing on the radio. There's a sweet aroma of Christmas sweets being prepared wafting through the air as you can see the ladies of the house leafing through the pages of their family chrismas recipes.While in the shops, you can see people busy ticking off items on their christmas shopping lists. And the jolly old man in his red suit has already begun doing the rounds much to the delight of kids everywhere. Yes, indeed. Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Goa.
One of the most popular festivals in the state, preparations for this joyous festival which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, begins much in advance. To spiritually prepare themselves for the coming of the Savior, Christians observe the Advent season which begins four Sundays prior to the festival and ends on Christmas eve. “As a family, every year we make it a practice of trying to cultivate some good habit or virtue during each week like patience or humility, and at the end of the week we recount our experience,” says Evelyn Martins, a homemaker. “One need not be perfect at following it, but it is the effort that counts. Christmas is not just about making the crib but also being a live one.” Churches in Goa also put up a christmas wreath with four candles - three purple and one rose coloured, each representing one of the Advent Sundays. A fifth white candle is place in the centre and is lit at Christmas time.
Yummy in my tummy
From the delicious bebinca, dodol, karambols, kulkuls,bols, neureos and the variety of cakes, Goan sweets are legendary. Preparations of these goodies is usually a family affair with family members both young and old coming together as children eagerly hoping to steal a taste of the heavenly sweets are shooed out of the kitchen. One of the most important things on the list is the preparation of the traditional christmas pudding. “We usually soak the fruit, raisins and nuts in wine way back in March to give it ample time to develop. The longer the mixture is soaked, the more heavenly it tastes,” says Martins. These sweets are then exchanged with neighbours, friends and relatives at Christmas time. For those families that are in mourning, it is customary for friends to send christmas sweets to the family. “ This is because families that are mourning are not supposed to prepare any sweets or festive food during this time,” says Maria de Lourdes de Bravo da Costa e Rodrigues.
A carolling we go
Apart from carol singing competitions happening all over the place, many parishes also four groups and go around door to door singing christmas carols and spreading christmas joy all everywhere. “This is the most awaited part of the year for our youth group i.e. The Appy Alto Porvorim Parish Youth. We have an open tempo which we decorate with balloons and banners and use while caroling, while others join on cars and bikes. Everything is so much fun!” says Malusha Dias. “We dress us in christmas colours of red, white and green, don christmas hats and bring out the Christmas spirit in everyone right from small kids to the oldies during the six days that we go around singing from ward to ward. Plus we have a Santa Claus who distributes chocolates to kids and dances with them.”
A time for togetherness
Apart from carol singing, various other programmes are organised in the festive spirit. “ Christmas is about sharing of joy with people and the different wards have programmes which help bring people closer. There are traditional dances, star making contests and the children and youth from different wards also put up various items for sale,” says Chenol Fernandes from St Cruz. In Panjim, different wards also put up skits in front of the Panjim Church. These are usually organised by the leaders of the different groups. “ Santa Claus, buying of gifts etc occupy a prominent place and we often leave out Jesus from the celebrations. We forget that it is actually the birthday of Jesus Christ.So through these skits we try and remind people about him and show that he comes to us in different ways,” says Bertha Rocha, who has been involved with the organising of these skits for quite a few years. The people of the ward also get together and make beautiful community cribs, which are a delight to see.
The joy of giving
Christmas is all about love, peace and happiness. And it is important to share this joy with those less fortunate as well and many organisations usually hold events for these people too. The annual Bal Mela organised by Don Bosco charities on December 19 is one such event where children from shelters and orphanages are treated to a day of fun and laughter. Many of the volunteers for this event are usually youngsters like Vivian Desousa who has been a volunteer for the event right from his college days in 2008. “ There are different sections like the game section, creative section etc and as an artist I am a part of the creative section which includes face painting, mehndi, drawing, craft and jewellery making. It is a different environment all together as children of different backgrounds come together here. It is a wonderful yet hectic experience but I always make sure I keep myself free on this day. Christmas is all about sharing and making time and it is wonderful to spend time with those who don't have the best things in life,” he says. Some other events include the Food Bank initiative started by the Communicare Trust where lubs and individual can donate pulses and other food items, soaps, books etc which are them distributed to children in different orphanages.
Christmas Day!
On Christmas Eve, many people make it a point to go for midnight mass after which many churches usually distribute cake and coffee as people exchange Christmas wishes. Following this people sometimes go out as a family to a restaurant to celebrate while others go for dances which end only at sunrise. A family tradition that is still followed in many Goan houses is the grand Christmas lunch where the entire family comes together. “ Somehow throughout the year we're all too busy working and never really get time to sit down for a meal together,” says Renee Pinto. “But on Christmas day, no matter how dead we might be from the previous nights dancing we all make it to the table to share this meal which prepared with so much love and care.”
