It’s the one day in the year that we wait for – Christmas. While the birthday of Jesus Christ is the central focus, Christmas is awaited by all; the young and old for it holds different reasons to each one and also brings back memories of Christmas previously celebrated…
Nostalgia
Christmas, probably is the best time of the year, a time to wallow in nostalgia too. My memories go back to my days as a boarder in the Sacred Heart Convent High School, Hubli run by the order of nuns called Daughters of the Cross. I remember the nuns wearing warm black habits instead of their regular white ones. Many of the boarders were also wrapped up in woolens. The air before the Mass was so solemn and all of us used to be filled with a sense of awe and the beautiful voices of choir transformed the whole chapel into a veritable heaven. My favourite hymn being ‘O Holy Night…’ I still get goose bumps whenever I hear it being sung.
Of course, Christmas sweets and making them have a place of honour because family and friends and their collective efforts, with bits of ‘wisdom’ thrown in by senior aunts or some such persons. I don’t know whether it was the making process or the ‘licking’ business that drew us youngsters to the scene of preparations.
Oh, can the hush, hush crib making be forgotten? Because invariably it was the one up-manship to give that individual touch from the neighbours’ crib!
As to whether we had more fun than the present day kids, I am not sure. For as, Shakespeare says, “comparisons, sir, are odious…” I am sure they enjoy Christmas season in their own way as we did and do. It is just the joy, peace and fun of Christmas season that should continue to inspire each one of us.”
— Marie Raj, retired principal,
Don Bosco College, Panaji
Distinguishing Christmas then and now, I feel that for few, Christmas now marks the oncoming of fun-filled activities rather than celebrating the birth of Jesus. Around 15 years ago, there was a compulsion that we as family attend the mid night mass followed by which we would return home singing the carols/hymns and making merry. Another change which has taken place over the years is that people have switched to purchasing Christmas sweets from shops instead of making them at home. This too can be justified as people are busy and cannot make time of their busy schedule. This is not the case with all as there are a few houses that still make sweets at home. For me Christmas is a time to get-together and spends time with the family either dining or making merry.”
— Esteciosa Dias, Housewife, Caranzalem
Sharing and caring
When I was younger, we would be bothered about gifts, the star, decorations and clothes. As I grew up the meaning of Christmas changed with my maturity. While I still make time to ensure my house is decorated to welcome Jesus Christ, it’s not my priority. Today, it’s less about materialistic goods, and décor but more about reflecting on the birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary. While I have wonderful memories of the great feast, today I prefer spending time with my family. For me it’s not about throwing money on the less fortunate, but instead extending a hand of help and support. Not everyone wants money and goods.
— Cynthia Miranda,
social worker
It is heart breaking to see that over the years the traditional practise of making Christmas sweets at home has reduced drastically. Recollecting old days, I remember that 15 days prior to Christmas my whole family would come together and make sweets like neureos, dodol, bebinca, batica, doce, vode, kormolas, kulkuls among other delicacies. The whole idea behind making these mouth watering delicacies at home was to get that Christmassy feeling and enjoy the joy of togetherness. Although there is a tedious and tiring process involved in making these delicacies, the satisfaction you get at the end cannot be described. I was encouraged to make sweets as my mother-in-law preferred making sweets at home instead of purchasing them from out. Another practise that has faded over the years is the practise of going to houses and helping each other. There was a time when around eight to ten ladies would get together and help in making Christmas sweets at home.”
Annie Pinto,
caterer, Anjuna
Change is the only constant
Christmas was more of a family affair but over the years it has become more commercialised. Back then there were no parties and no dance performances on Christmas Eve instead the whole family would unite and spend quality time together. The way of living has changed as we have moved into the 21st century and this can be seen in the way people live and dress. About 15 years back sending cards to near and dear ones was mandatory which marked the sharing of Christmas warmth. With the advancement in technology and introduction of new electronic gadgets people have switched to sending messages via email or social network. At home I do make neureos, bebinca, and batica but I recently quit making dodol due to the tedious process involved.”
— Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues,
Writer, Panaji
“Christmas has changed over the years. The practice of buying greeting cards to send to our dear ones who have settled in far off places has kind of become extinct. Gone are the days when we would hang all greeting cards as part of Christmas décor, which has been taken over by instant messaging. Exchange of gifts today is more of a formality than something done with love for the person. I remember helping my mother and others to make sweets prior to Christmas which I miss a lot. We sadly opt for readymade cribs, as compared to ones that we used to painstakingly make. We used to go serenading with enthusiasm and have small parties with families. Today, the youngsters have their own parties.
I miss my cousins and the time that we spent while doing cribs, Christmas tree, decorations and sweets together. Now as all are busy in their own life we hardly have time but we definitely have lots of good wishes for each other.
Lifestyles have changed but still Christmas brings joy, smiles, happiness and feeling of being blessed…”
— Celeste Saldanha, Lawyer
“When I was younger Christmas was just a normal thing. We couldn’t understand much – attend mass, come back home and sleep. But as I grew up we started having parties with friends that would last till dawn. For me Christmas is just a normal day. But if I go to look at it spiritually then it’s important for me as I celebrate the birth of our Saviour. It’s a day I spend with people who matter to me and that are what creates beautiful memories.”
— Amber Pereira, student
(Compiled by Danuska Da Gama and Sheras Fernandes)