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* * * 2006 ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET - GOA * * *
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WHERE: Foodland Cafe - Miramar Residency - Miramar, Goa
WHEN: December 21, 2006 @ 4:00pm
More info:
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2006-December/051747.html
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CHRISTMAS IN ANJUNA IN THE 1950s!
Oh! How times change! Christmas in Anjuna, Bardez, Goa in the 1950s was
totally different than today - very quiet and spiritual. The Holy Mass was
celebrated in Latin, a language only a few select understood, with the
priest standing at the altar with his back to the congregation. A sermon
was the only activity that was preached in Konkani. People in those days
were God-fearing; they prayed to God and followed Him in every step of their
lives - they began work with prayers; they prayed when they stepped out of
the house and thanked God when they returned home. They never started any
work without making the sign of the cross; people still do this but not as
discreetly as before. Although the congregation did not fully understand
the Liturgy, they prayed with faith and always participated in the Holy
Eucharist. The elderly always carried a rosary with them and were busy
counting the beads throughout the mass service.
Christmas for those of us who were born in the 1940s was a yearly ritual
go to church, attend midnight mass and return home. The whole focus was on
the midnight mass service.
Today, Christmas has become more of merry-making than devotion. People
eagerly wait for the month of December to arrive in order to stitch best
clothes, to attend parties, gala dances, etc. They make all the worldly
preparations at Christmas, but forget to prepare themselves spiritually. We
welcome relatives and friends during Christmas, but forget to welcome the
Infant Jesus in our hearts.
We all know that children are innocent; thats why they say: You can see
God through childrens eyes. Its altogether another story that some of us
become the opposite when we grow up. During our childhood, parents
explained us how the Son of God humbled himself and was born in a manger
among animals. They referred to the Infant Jesus as a role model and asked
us to be humble like him.
In those days, there was no indication of whatsoever that Christmas was
approaching. The only outward signs were: Painting of a house, making of a
star, arrangement of a Crib and preparation of kunsvar (Christmas sweets.)
At the beginning of December, one would see laborers scrubbing off monsoon
dirt from a few newly built compound walls and the lower part of house walls
in preparation of giving them a fresh coat of chuno (white-wash), which
would give Goan houses that bright white majestic look! Churches and
chapels all over Goa were also given a white coat at this time of the year.
Painting the houses in pure white from the inside and outside was not
enough. What was also required was to clean each ones soul and prepare
oneself to receive Infant Jesus; people never failed to do this. In fact,
they gave this requirement the top priority over everything else.
As far as young boys were concerned, each one of us welcomed Jesus by
preparing a star because we knew that it was the star that had led the three
wise men to the stable in Bethlehem.
By the first week of December, each one of us planned to make a star, which
would become an individual pride of his artistic work. After boys returned
from their school, they took a machete and either went up on a hill or in a
neighbors compound, of course, with their permission, and brought a couple
of whole bamboos (not hollow ones) nobody, not even bhattkars, ever
refused us bamboos to make stars. Most boys worked in pairs; our sisters
also helped us. Those who didnt attend school were available all the time;
interestingly, they had better art than us who went to school. Before we
cut pieces of bamboo, we had to decide on the size of a star. A bigger
star, especially on display from houses by the road side, attracted more
peoples attention than those on display in the interior of the village;
obviously, a bigger star involved more planning, labor and expenses. Most
of us, whose houses are located by the road side, preferred to have a large
star so everyone could see it when they passed by our houses.
Once the sticks were ready, we arranged a design of the star on the ground
and tied the five corners as well as middle joints with a strong string.
The two flat sides of the star were then tied together and given a bulge in
the middle by placing equal supports at the five joints. Once the star was
given the required shape then came the meticulous part of decorating it with
multi-colored foli (thin sheets of paper), which had to be fixed without
any wrinkles. Here, craftwork knowledge came in handy, but our local
friends who didnt go to school, overall possessed better craftwork
knowledge than us who had learned it at school. Usually, sizlele xitache
gotte (cooked rice grains) were used as gum to paste the paper on the edges
of sticks, but some boys planned cashew gum in advance. Sometime in the
month of November, they made gashes on cashew trees with a machete through
which sap oozed and gradually the cuts produced fine strips of gum, which we
collected and placed in an empty tinteiro (ink bottle) and, voilà, we had
the best homemade gum, which was better than xitache gotte. Once the
whole star was covered with paper, the top smooth part of each stick, where
foli were joined, had to be covered with paper frill; we sometimes used
shiny silver or gold paper for the frill, which gave the star a better look
than ordinary paper. The top side of the star was left open to serve as
access to place and light a candle/oil lamp. When the star was complete, we
carried it carefully inside the house and kept it safely in a room. In the
1960s, time permitting, we also prepared different novelty items out of
bamboo sticks - like a car, caminhão, aero plane, comet, etc. Furthermore,
we prepared small stars to hang by each window of the house.
On the eve of Christmas, we proudly fixed the star to a razu (rope) and
hung it from a branch of a nearby tree. Some of us tied a rope to trees
across a road and hung the star or novelty item at a height in the middle of
the road. For large stars we sometimes used a pulley. Before we left for
the midnight mass, we placed a light wooden plank or a thick piece of
cardboard on the middle supports and lit a vath (candle) or telachi
pontti (oil lamp.) As a precaution, in order to avoid fire, we placed the
candle on a small piece of roof tile. We also lit a candle or oil lamp in
each of the smaller stars.
Today, due to availability of electricity, people illuminate their houses,
Christmas trees and compounds with various light fittings, including
dazzling serial lights which mesmerize the eyes. In days of yore, folding
type round lampianv (lantern) made of paper with different printed designs
and colors were hung to a pakaddi (thatch over a window) by each window
and sometimes all around a house. A candle was lit in the middle of a
lampianv before leaving for the midnight mass, which would burn out by the
time we returned home from the mass. A fresh candle was placed and lit in
the lampianv as soon as we returned home. Some people placed small
mathiecheo pontteo (lamps made of clay) on the top of compound walls, on
balcony steps and on French design sope (seats made of stone) on either
side of the balcony. They also lit these before leaving for midnight mass.
The pontteo lasted as long as khobreachem tel (coconut oil) lasted in
them, provided there was no breeze.
There was no star-making competition in those days. All we received was a
good word from the passers by - Mr. X has done a beautiful star, jet, bus,
etc. Most everyone today buys ready made stars, which cannot be compared to
homemade stars; the present generation misses the fun we had.
The next thing that engaged our minds during Christmas season was a Crib.
We didnt have any Christmas trees then, but we surely prepared Cribs.
Although a few crosses were found in Goa prior to the arrival of the
Portuguese, it is an established fact that Christianity began in Goa in
1510. Thus, it is believed that the first Christmas in Goa was celebrated
in December 1510. The Portuguese introduced Crib displays in churches and
chapels and the practice continues to date. As Christmas time approached,
young and old juggled ideas in their minds as how best to prepare a Crib.
Yes, Christmas time was the only time we, the children of the 1950s, looked
forward to devoting ourselves to the Infant Jesus and we did it by preparing
a Crib in our houses and attending the Nativity ceremony in the church.
Not everyone was able to prepare a Crib, as there were a few basic things
that were required to prepare it. First of all, one had to have at least
the main statues Mary, mother; Joseph, father; the three wise men, a
shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders and Infant Jesus. Animals such as
camels, cows, sheep, made the Crib look complete but here again not everyone
could afford these, but I had all of them. In those days, these statues
were sold at the annual Milagr Saibinninchea festachi feri (Our Lady of
Miracles feast fair) in Mapusa. I had bought a complete set from the
above-mentioned fair in the mid 1950s, which I used until I left for the
Gulf in 1972. Though locally made, the statues were of good quality and
well-painted; they were around seven inches tall.
We mostly prepared Cribs indoors. We would decide to have a Crib outdoors
when we wanted to have green pasture and this obviously required
preplanning. Ten days prior to Christmas, we would prepare a small patch of
ground on the chosen spot in front of the house, sow nachnne (millets) and
keep watering it every morning and evening. Seeds would germinate and by
Christmas time we would have the desired patch of green pasture ready as
part of the Crib. I always kept the Crib in the background and placed all
the animals - standing and seating camels, cows, sheep and even fowls on the
pasture, which gave a real feel of Jesus taking birth in a manger. Each one
of us spread the word around about our Cribs so people could pay us a visit
and appreciate our work, and when they complimented us we felt on the top of
the world. Since there was no electricity, we kept an oil lamp inside a
crib, but sometimes we were innovative - we used torch batteries and a bulb
to provide light in the middle of the crib through wiring. We lit the bulb
only when people visited us and this is where some of us scored more points
than the others through innovation. No, we didnt have Crib competitions in
those days; we did everything out of love for our Prince - the Infant Jesus.
Crib competition began in the 1960s and continues to date. The
Mapxenkars introduced live Crib at the entrance of the New Mapusa Municipal
Market in the late 1960s. Anjuna church has very nice, large statues,
which must be at least a couple of centuries old. The Crib was always
arranged in a corner next to the left side altar.
Clothes Fashion at Christmas was not on anyones mind in those days. We
didnt receive clothes at every occasion or birthday but we got them once a
year at Christmas and that was a great thing for us. Boys received a new
pair of short pants (only grown up boys received a pair of long trousers,) a
long-sleeve shirt, a pair of shoes and socks. Girls received a new dress
along with a petticoat, a pair of shoes and socks and a beautiful veu
(veil) the two shops Mapxenkar and Calangutcar in Mapusa stored a
variety of veils with them. Yes, in those days a veil was a must without
which one could not go to church. Women, who wore saris, placed paluv
(top end of the sari) on their heads; elderly women wore a vol (pair of
dress sheets which covers a woman from head to ankle only face, hands and
feet could be seen.) Our poor friends, who wore used or given away clothes,
kept looking at them until they reached the church and they continued to
look at them even in the church; they went to church without any footwear.
Nobody told us that we had to do charity but we did it automatically out of
love for our friends.
Christmas is the time of the year when people exchange love and goodwill.
Goans fulfilled the latter through kunsvar. They joyfully prepared sweets
and distributed them to visitors and neighbors. For Goan Christian folk,
December definitely was and is still the busiest month, as they prepare for
the joyous Christmas season. The ladies, in particular, had so much to
achieve within those few busy days. Preparation of kunsvar was the biggest
preoccupation for them preceding Christmas, when one hardly gets the time to
think of anything else.
Once cleaning and painting of the house was over, women would get ready to
prepare kunsvar. Preparation of kunsvar at home and the aroma of nevreo do
not only bring about a different feeling among family members but also puts
everyone into the Christmas mood.
The main item of kunsvar was and is still nevreo without which Christmas
sweets are incomplete. They made two types of nevreo muganchea
pitteacheo ani narlachea churnancheo. The former was made out of ground
powder of fried mung (green grams.) The powder was made at home on a
dantem (a set of two round grinding stones placed on each other.) The
lower grinding stone had an upright metal shaft on which the upper grinding
stone fitted. The upper stone had a hole by the edge about an inch in
diameter into which a solid bamboo piece was fixed; sometimes a thin piece
of cloth was placed in the hole, which served as packing.
Two girls/women sat opposite each other, applied one hand each to the wooden
bar and rotated the top grinding stone clockwise while at the same time
singing songs/mandde and cracking jokes. The top stone had a round cavity
in the middle through which a handful of whole fried mung were placed
every now and then; proportionate sugar was also added and grounded along
with fried mung; fried cardamom were also added through the cavity.
Grinding the powder on a dantem was real fun, as it took quite a long time
to grind it fine, but help was never a problem because Christian as well as
Hindu neighbors always pitched in to make the kunsvar - there was not a
single Muslim in the whole of Anjuna then. Kunsvar-making was a good
opportunity for women to engage themselves in the gossip of the year.
Children kept visiting the place where nevreancho pitto was made and the
moment ready powder was gathered in a utensil, they took a spoonful and
placed it in their mouth. Oh, the powder was so sweet and tasty that we
were tempted to return and take a spoonful every now and then until one of
the women would ask: Arre, he baxen tumi kelolo pitto khait ravlear,
pitteacheo nevreo koxeo zateleot? (If you keep on eating grounded powder,
how can we make pitteacheo nevreo?
Pitteacheo nevreo last longer than churnancheo nevreo which is why they
were made earlier and the latter were mostly made on the eve of Christmas.
Here is the recipe for grated coconut filling and making process:
1 Kg maida pitt (cornflour)
A pinch of salt
4 tablespoons ghee
For the filling:
1 Kg sugar or maddanchem godd (coconut jaggery)
1 cup water
2 (half-ripe) coconut, grated fine
100 grams cashew nuts (chopped very fine)
200 grams raisins
4 tablespoons ghee
12 cardamoms (powdered)
Oil for frying
Mix flour, salt, and ghee well, add just enough water to knead into soft
dough. Keep aside.
Heat sugar and water till syrup is formed or use coconut jaggery. Add the
grated coconut, ghee and nuts. When the mixture has thickened, add raisins
and cardamom powder. Remove from fire after the mixture turns quite dry.
Cool and keep aside.
Divide the dough into small balls, roll out into thin rounds, put a spoonful
of the coconut filling or grounded powder on each round, wet the edges and
press down to form half-moon shapes; make sure you press the edges hard
enough or else the filling will spill in the oil. Trim edges preferably
with a cutter and deep fry in hot oil. You get a special tool known as
katrem to cut the edges; it resembles western cowboy spurs. It is
attached to a metal rod about six inches long and 5mm in diameter. When
pressed and rolled on the edge of a nevri, it trims it and leaves it with
a fancy cut. People also pressed the wheel sideways all around the edge in
order to get its imprint and make it look more fanciful.
Sometimes, people kept awake for two consecutive nights prior to Christmas
in order to prepare kunsvar because somehow everyones kunsvar had to be
ready before they left for the midnight mass on December 24.
Homemade nevreo were always big; people did not economize on the size. Each
family made large quantities of nevreo sufficient to last until January 6
when the Christmas season comes to an end. Usually, one big panttli bhor
(basketful) pitteacheo nevreo were made; churnancheo nevreo were
comparatively less, and the rest were kolkol, odddde, dhodol, bebinca,
batika, nankatais, doce, etc. and, of course, sanna without which a Goan
feast is incomplete or at least was. The panttli containing kunsvar was
covered with a bed sheet and kept in a quart (room.) Once we knew the
location of the panttli, we frequented the room and walked away with a
nevri every time we visited the room.
Today, as I write this article, the life style in Goa has totally changed.
People are so busy that they dont have time for anything, not even to make
the yearly kunsvar; so, the question of preparing kunsvar does not arise.
However, this negligence on the part of our women has given rise to
commercial Christmas sweets business to bakers who prepare and sell
Natalancho kunsvar at nominal price, but it cannot be compared to homemade
kunsvar; it may look the same but it doesnt taste the same.
Here are the lyrics of one of the oldest songs by the veteran singer, Joe
Rose, in which he compares olden-day Natalancho kunsvar to todays kunsvar:
NATALANCHO KUNSVAR by Joe Rose
Adim Natalank konnaimgerui vochonk jivak re kaiborem diso
Edde vhoddle tray-in jinsancho kunsvar, soglleanger mezacher aso
Batq, bibik, doce, dodol, nevreo, odde, kolkol, kitench unnem tantun naso
Atam eddexe pirin kaddtat don nevreo, chear odde ani doxicho eddoso
Chorus
Te adle kunsvar pott futtomsor konn re khatale
Eddeo vhoddleo nevreo ek khelear dhadoxi zatale
Atamcheo nevreo zaleat nevruleo ani odde oddule
Tea nevreank ani bhitor poit zalear oxeo vazoilear distat ferientle
khivkulle
II
Borem narl, tandu ani maddachem godd poddlear, dodlachi ruch borich vaddta
Atam sarem kosleim dekun te tandui te tosle, ani goddanui mistur kiteim
korta
Adim muino bhor pasun dodlak kaim zainaslem, atam rokdoch itlo batho bhorta
Magir novea vorsak dodlachim kapam korun, tim kailir bazchim poddta
Chorus
Atam vochot thuimsor pollovnk gelear koslim re kamam
Pinagricheo muttleo lhan zaleot ani toxinch kolkolam
Tim kolkolam pollovn daktto cheddo khevonk laglo temam
Tannem kitem mhuttlem zannoi mummy mhaka chavoita she making kolkol like
my small mum-mum
III
Adlo lok matininchem mis zanvchea adim poilo ghoran boson kunsvar kori
Kunsvar korun neson kitlich vatt cholon, taimancher misak pavot tori
Atam Pascoalager Mapxeam kunsvar ready made mevta, dekun bailanchi unni
zalea worry
Torui astanannam mis ievn tennem Jezu zolmolo ennem practice korta Mary
Chorus
Avoi margai disandis vaddta re matui denvonam
Kitloi kunsvar kelear ghora lagim to bhurgeank pavonam
Cheddean adlem suit ghatlear cholta punn cheddvank cholonam
Novo vistid nam zalear kitem kortat zannoi tim ragan ghara nidtat magir
Natalancho amkam kisui mevonam
(From Doms antique shelf)
In Goa, when a Christian passes away, the whole family mourns for him/her
for one year. Not only functions are not held during the mourning period
but families also do not prepare kunsvar as a mark of mourning. In such a
situation, early in the morning on Christmas day, each neighbor sends
his/her child with a plateful of kunsvar to the bereaving family. As a
result, they end up receiving more kunsvar than they ever prepared! In
reciprocation, the bereaving family places some sweets or fruits in the
plate, as according to Goan custom, it is impolite to return the plate/dish
empty.
Similarly, mourning families in Goa do not send Christmas greetings and this
practice, too, continues to date though those bereaving families watch TV
programs, attend functions, dances, etc., but when it comes to sending
greetings, they are mourning!
As soon as kunsvar frying was over, people dressed up hurriedly and left for
the church to attend the midnight mass.
Today, almost every family has some kind of transportation and yet they
never reach the church in time for the mass. In the absence of
transportation, people from as far as Xapora or Kaisua, Praias, Danddo and
Peddem walked the distance from their homes to the church in groups and
always reached the church well in advance of the Liturgy. The Vagatorkars
(people from Vagator) also joined the Kaisukars in marching to Anjuna church
before they could have St. Anthonys church, which was established only in
the middle of the last century.
There is no winter season in Goa but nights during December are quite cold,
especially during Christmas week. Men put on their suits; so, they didnt
feel cold. Women wore long dresses or draped saris; so, they, too, were
well covered, but children were the ones who suffered. Most boys wore short
pants; so, they really felt cold. Unlike today, we didnt have sweaters or
jackets. The only way to get rid of cold was to walk to church briskly.
Sometimes we felt like running but parents wouldnt allow us to do that in
the dark, as the red mud roads were full of pot holes. Actually, we knew
the roads well because we went to church quite often, especially for
catechism classes; yet, our parents wouldnt allow us to run because if we
fell down and suffered bruises that would be end of Christmas, and it did
happen to some mischievous children who didnt listen to their parents. As
there was no electricity, we carried a battery torch with us but most people
carried a coconut shell with a candle piece lit in it.
Once we reached the church and said prayers our eyes were set on the Crib
and the comet-like star which was fixed in the direction of the Crib. In
the absence of electricity, a few petromaxes provided light to the whole
church. Today, although we have electricity, we have to have a back-up
kerosene/petrol-based generator to switch it on as soon as electric current
goes off, but we didnt have to have a back-up for petromaxes. All one had
to do was to pump air into them to keep them alive. Unlike today, we
couldnt see everyone present in the church at night. The only place from
where we could get a glimpse of the congregation in the church was from
maver (choir balcony), but boys below ten years of age were not allowed to
be there. Pin drop silence was always maintained in the church.
As soon as it was time to start midnight mass, the mistir (master) struck
the chord on his violin and the choir boys from Anjuna lead the mass
ceremony with their angelic singing all the singers knew how to read and
write music notes; hence, synchronized singing, which is lacking today.
Even though we were children, we were not allowed to sleep in the church,
and mind you we were required to kneel down throughout midnight mass, just
as we were required to kneel down throughout daily rosary at night. In
those days, festacho sermao (feast sermon) formed an important part of the
mass which is why a special pregador (preacher) was always brought at
feasts, including Christmas. During his sermon, the preacher explained in
detail the meaning of Christmas and requested everyone to be humble like
Jesus and spread the goodwill around. The sermons were quite long, between
30 and 45 minutes, but people never got tired of listening to the word of
God. Boys who did not sit with their parents in the church, were asked to
narrate a summary of the sermon preached as soon as they reached home as a
test of their attentiveness in the church. If they failed, they were
punished.
As children, we anxiously waited for the moment when the altar boy would
ring the kampinn (bell) and the priest would sing Gloria In Excelcis Deo
which would send a signal to the pedo on the torre (tower) through his
colleague waiting by the choir balcony door to ring the church bells
continuously heralding the birth of Jesus, which was sometimes followed by
bursting of crackers and setting off of fozne. This was the happiest
moment of Christmas for us. The next happiest moment was a visit to the
Crib at the end of midnight mass. I specially liked the ringing of Anjuna
church bells which were heard throughout Anjuna and even in the adjoining
villages of Assagao and Parra on a still night.
In the past, every church in Goa held midnight mass on the December 24;
nobody objected to it, but now we have restrictions to have functions beyond
11:00 p.m., including midnight mass. Its a shame some parishes cant have
midnight mass though the practice continues in villages.
In the olden days, there was strong unity among relatives and neighbors;
people were concerned and cared for the other. Even if there was any
misunderstanding and/or enmity, they forgave each other on Christmas day and
this took place in the church soon after midnight mass. In a way, their
action was the result of sermon which called for forgiveness.
As soon as the midnight mass was over, everyone hugged and wished each other
Boas Festas de Natal or Feliz Natal and stole a kiss along with the
wish. Very few used the greeting Merry Christmas keep in mind I am
talking of the period when we were under the Portuguese regime. People then
visited their relatives, friends and neighbors on their way back home,
wished them a Joyous Christmas and tasted their assorted kunsvar, which was
offered in a soup plate or a platter. Children always went for pitteacheo
nevreo and kolkol. Elders were served liquor and children were given a
small cup of red wine. This early morning service was an exception once a
year.
Today, almost every household owns a music system, on which they play songs,
Christmas Carols, etc., or watch TV programs. During our childhood there
were no radios or cassette players; only a few owned a phonograph. We
didnt know any Christmas Carols. Neither Santa Claus nor our parents gave
us any Christmas gifts; the only gifts we received were nevreo and sweets.
If I knew how to sing the Silent Night Carol in those days, it would be
most befitting, as the whole atmosphere then was really silent there were
no motorcycles or cars or buses or trucks plying on the roads at night; the
only occasional sound one heard was the barking of dogs. Here are the
lyrics of Konkani Christmas Carol XANT NIXEA:
XANT NIXEA (Silent night) Sung by Sharon
Xant nixa, shud nixa
Kalloki, sogleank nid
Mari Jose kortat paro
Dulob ballok nidla boro
Khavnnechi korun khatt
Khavnnechi korun khatt
Xant nixa, shud nixa
Gonvlleanim, deklo uzvadd
Sorga vele Devdut denvtat
Sontosan modur git gaitat
Krista roz zolmola
Krista roz zolmola
Xant nixa, shud nixa
Devan kela putak
Rupkar tujea mogros rochnank
Kurpechem fanklem fantem
Ivn tum amchea modem
Ivn tum amchea modem
(From Doms antique shelf)
The only entertainment for the common masses of Goa on Christmas day was a
tiatro, which no one missed. Of course, the elite had their Christmas dance
in Mapusa Municipal Garden with Johnson & his Jolly Boys in attendance.
When we grew up, Christmas dances were a rarity but by the late 1960s boys
formed small musical groups and played for dances on a small scale. A
musical band was formed in Anjuna in which Albert DSouza, the violinist
from Danddo, played guitar and my late friend, Michael Botelho from Peddem
crooned for the band.
During our childhood, we returned home after the midnight mass but by the
late 1960s youngsters arranged small dance sessions immediately after the
midnight mass. The dances were held in houses. One of the first dances was
held in the house on the main road opposite the bakery in St. Sebastian
ward. Subsequently, dances were held in Lulus house, behind Anjuna Church
and at Fr. Agnels Center, second house to the left of the stairs leading to
the miraculous cross. By the mid 1970s dances in Anjuna were held at the
Rose Garden Bar & Restaurant at Tembi and sometimes on Tembi ground.
The year 2006 is about to come to an end and we are about to celebrate yet
another Christmas at which we remember an event, the birth of the Infant
Jesus, which took place more than two thousand years ago. Yes, the city of
Bethlehem was gripped with shivering cold and on a night like this Joseph
and Mary were roaming the streets looking for a place to give birth to her
son, but they couldnt find any. Finally, they entered a stable and there
the Redeemer was born in a manger. It was mentioned in the Holy Bible that
one day a child would brighten the dark world that word was fulfilled on
that day.
That very cold night, while the shepherds were grazing their sheep, all of a
sudden they heard a sweet voice from far afar and with it the whole sky was
filled with light and they heard the angels sing a song: Glory to God in
the highest, and peace on earth to all persons of goodwill.
That very midnight, three wise men who were traveling on their camels
towards the east, suddenly noticed a strange star which would halt at times
and then advance. They continued to look at it with awe; the star wanted to
convey some message to them.
As forecasted by the prophets, the shepherds carried gifts with them and
proceeded towards Bethlehem. On the other hand, that star, which the three
wise men had been following, halted exactly above a stable in Bethlehem
city. So, what did they see in that stable? The Son of God was lying on
straw in the manger wrapped in papers with a smile on his face; he was
surrounded by animals and by his adopted father and mother Mary.
God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to this world to redeem us from sin.
Yes, he is the King of Kings and shelter of sinners who was born in a manger
without a single piece of cloth on his body and yet he was smiling. The
King of Kings humbled himself for our sake. He requests us to lead a humble
life and to follow Him. When we say Happy Birthday to Jesus, let us try
to bring about a change and improve our lives. Let us adore Jesus and
promise him to purify ourselves by singing the following Konkani devotional
song:
Ontroll pettlam noketranim
Uzvadd atvech torecho
Boddve gaitat gaionnam
Sorv thavn sorgincho
Sondes dita sogott munxeak
Sondes khuxealkaiecho
Moronn nhoi amcho xevott
Punn oromb sasnnanchea jivitacho
Glo-oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ria
In excelcis Deo
Glo-oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ria
In excelcis Deo
Here is a beautiful Christmas Carol in which the late Jim Reeves explains
the meaning of each of the letters of the word Christmas:
CHRISTMAS by the late Jim Reeves
C is for the Christ child, born upon this day
H is for Herald angels in the night
R is our Redeemer
I means Israel
S is for the star that shone so bright
T is for three wise men, they who traveled far
M is for the manger where he lay
A is for all he stands for
S means shepherds came
And thats why there is a Christmas day
T is for three wise men, they who traveled far
M is for the manger where he lay
A is for all he stands for
S means shepherds came
And thats why there is a Christmas day
And thats why there is a Christmas day
Let us in a simple way distribute Christmas gift of love with our families
and enjoy the true happiness. Let us also share our love with fellow
neighbors, especially with the poor and the downtrodden, partake in their
worries and sorrows and show our brotherly love towards them. Let this be
our gift to the Infant Jesus; Mother Mary will definitely be pleased with
us.
I wish one and all a Joyous Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New
Year!
Thats all for now from Doms antique shelf!
Moi-mogan,
Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA
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