Pele, Benaulim’s most famous fisherman, who has taken a dive into tourism via a water sports business, recently expressed hope that the State would be lit up for Christmas just as they do in cities in other countries.
He was back from the Gulf and was soaked in the festive spirit that the decorations out there had left him with. Obviously, he wanted the spirit to linger on here till Christmas or perhaps even later.
The spirit of Christmas or the spirit that Christmas awoke in Pele is the spirit of Goa – of the Goa of old, and that is the spirit that is crying to be rekindled in all of us as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The lights Pele was talking about are the lights of humanity so vibrant amongst all, irrespective of religion, because Goa has always been a basket that has room for good.
The spirit of Christmas or the spirit that Christmas awoke in Pele is the spirit of Goa – of the Goa of old, and that is the spirit that is crying to be rekindled in all of us.
Past Christmases have been occasions where families shared, where families cared, where families moved out to see the smile in others, where families were lights that brought people out of darkness.
And, that was Pele’s desire. Christmas is a time when all of us have a connect with what is good, or what many may call God, Allah or Bhagwan. The name does not matter, goodness does.
For some reason or the other – and digging to find them out now is foolhardy at this time of the year – times are not as bright as they should be, and this is one reason why each one of us should recharge the light in us – the light that has been dimmed by negativity.
For many, Christmas is the time of the year when religion plays a secondary, role and the best of humanity comes to the forefront. It is the time when we think of the other 'self' instead of myself and when everything looks so cheerful – the bright lights glow.
Times are not as bright as they should be, and this is one reason why each one of us should recharge the light in us – the light that has been dimmed by negativity.
Christmas has long been the time when wardrobes are cleaned and old clothes make way for new. Christmas is the time when kids write to Santa Claus mentioning what gift they want, and in a way, this Christmas was special to many who read the letter reproduced below, written to Santa Claus by an 8-year-old girl.
The letter read: 'Dear Santa, This year give me what you wish to since you have given me the things I have asked for. Thank You, Carla.'
This letter to Santa Claus, by this 8-year-old girl, is the light, the decoration and everything festive that in many ways, was said by our own Pele. The light of festivity is in the heart of Goans. At least, it was there and is still not lost.
Greed, the letter of the child indicates, is what is taking the shine off Goa. The shine is not lost, but has just fallen dormant and it is during this festive season that we all need to replace it on the pedestal where it belongs.
Carla says, and most probably many other children will be saying, that there are better things in life than presents or, in other words, the best presents children want is the presence of their parents.
One could be wrong, or it could be another experiment in wishful thinking, but the truth is that our world will be lit up if we start to re-ignite the embers that we have been doused with greed.
It’s easy. Just, re-connect with good, be there instead of thinking presents can replace us. The gift of being is, often times, better than the gift of giving. Happy Christmas!
