Lady of Mount Carmel Church

The Church Peace Wishing Peace Star

Christmas bush/tree

one of the many nativites

Tree on the beach

Home made stars

Roadside shrine to Mother  Mary 

Goan Christmas

I have so enjoyed seeing ho the Goan people celebrate Christmas with all its Catholic Portuguese heritage. Most house  have a home made nativity and Christmas tree/ bush by the front door of their house. Great care is taken into decorating just right and getting every detail of the nativity perfect. Paper stars that light up at night are the most popular decoration, they add a fairytale/ magical air to the coconut groves and village back streets. The Catholic Church here is just beautiful, complete with stain glass windows, gold painted alter and paintings of the life of Jesus adorning the walls.  I missed the midnight mass but did attend a part of the Christmas day service. The ladies came to church dressed in their best sequence and chiffon saris or bright coloured satin dresses and were dripping in gold jewelry. The men were dressed in pressed short sleeves shirts and trousers with hair combed perfectly. The children too were all dressed up and were on their best behaviour, with the help of the odd serious look or nudge from mum to stay still. Funny how some things are the same the world over. Anyway the elderly nun tended to the alter and the nativity scene and a sermon  was said in the local language. However while the priest was talking I had to leave for class but I am sure the church was the center of activity that day  as their were table set up outside serving refreshment after the service. Santa too has not been forgotten here, many of the decoration sport hi jolly face and I am told the children receive sweets from him on Christmas day.