PANAJI
Christmas is only second in importance to Easter in the Catholic calendar. Post the Eucharistic services, the faithful exchanged greetings, and many others continued the festivities till early dawn by participating in musical programmes and dances organised at prominent venues all over the State, and visiting life-sized cribs that depict the Scene of Nativity.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and Governor Mridula Sinha offered their greetings to Goans.
In his message, Parsekar said, "Christmas is being celebrated across the world with great joy and fervour. This season of giving, remembering and sharing the love assumes significance to follow the principles and moral values preached by Lord Jesus Christ and to spread his glorious message of peace."
Archbishop Ferrao said, "Christmas is, first and foremost, a feast of joy. 'Joy is in the air,' sings a well-known Christmas Carol. At the deepest level, the joy of Christmas celebrates the fulfillment of a basic longing of the human heart for God. And Christians the world over believe that the unseen God took human form in Jesus and walked this earth like an ordinary human being. We will never be able to tell how many pages have been written and how many songs have been sung about this great reality: God in our midst!"
Greeting Goans, Governor in her message said, "On this occasion, we fondly remember Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year. During this festival, each of us should open our heart and re-dedicate ourselves to the principles of peace, tolerance, compassion, sacrifice and brotherhood, taught by Jesus Christ. Our country is rich in tradition and diverse in culture where all the citizens celebrate every festival with great zeal and happiness irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival as a member of one family with co-operation and mutual understanding. On this auspicious occasion, let us all dedicate ourselves for greater peace, brotherhood and progress of our nation, keeping in view the eternal message of Lord Jesus Christ."
