The Christmas theme is the same the world over, but the celebrations differ from country to country, state to state, village to village and home to home, depending on the connect with God.
This is the time of the year when restrictions on eating and drinking are set aside, and lights add to the spirit. Christmas in Goa is when the debate between insider and outsider melts away.
“I have been coming to Goa to spend Christmas for the last eight years. Christmas here means going for a party and joining the family I live with for lunch. It is a feeling of being at home,” says Eva from Italy.
For international tourists, who are regulars during the Christmas season, the ‘festive season is a time of eating extra, drinking extra and lazing on the beach the whole day long’.
“The streets are lit with stars, the area around the church is well done up and there is a special depth in comradeship during this time of the season,” says Walter from Sweden, who is back in Vagator for his second Christmas.
“There is no snow in Goa as in my place, and I think that is the biggest and best difference between celebrating Christmas here and at my place. At this age, the cold in my country seems to bite through the warmth of the festivities,” reflects Walter.
In Goa, Christmas starts with the celebration of midnight mass, and foreigners as well as Indian tourists tend to join the spiritual experience.
“I have been going for midnight mass as a child, and Christmas looks incomplete without it,” admits Chrisann from Shimla, who has decided to spend the last holiday of the year in Goa.
“We travelled around various villages last night and were mesmerised by the way they have been lit up. Goa is so differently decked up for Christmas. It lends a mystical feeling to the place,” adds Chrisann’s mother, Violet.
“We are aware that many clubs are hosting parties, but we are looking for a function where the locals will be going. We are still searching for a venue which will be organising a Christmas dance,” throws in Chrisann.
And, those here for the first time end up surprised. “After we had finished lunch, we were served a basket of sweets. At first, we were astonished, and that astonishment turned to joy when we realised we were being offered Christmas sweets. This is the beauty and love only experienced in Goa,” admits Shenaz, from Uttarkhand, on his first trip to the State.
“It is so beautiful to see so many people dressed as Santa Claus, and even better when one Santa stopped us and offered my son some sweets. This is going to be one Christmas he is not going to forget,” shares Shenaz, with a wide grin.
Restaurants and shack owners along the coast started Christmas merrily with an increase in footfalls. For a change, Christmas carols could be heard wafting through the coastline.
“There are domestic tourists who come to spend Christmas holidays in Goa, and foreigners, after spending time together at their homestays, come out to join our celebration,” says shack owner, Cristalina.
Christmas, whether the tourists are there or not, always lights up the spirit of those staying in Goa with merriment. It was a spirit lit by our forefathers and continues to guide all into good times.