Panaji (Goa): The street next to Mary Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji city was flooded with the parishioners and tourists last night as State celebrated Christmas, one of the most important religious festival of the coastal state.
With the peeling of Church bells in the midnight and the masses praising Lord Jesus Christ, Goa ushered into Christmas festivities with the coastal state heralding parties that will continue till the year-end.
Goa has around 27 per cent of its population following Christian faith, while State also witnesses huge inflow of tourists who arrive here to participate in the festivities.
The mid-night masses were held across all the Churches in the State from 11 p.m. onwards which culminated with the main service at 12 mid-night celebrating Birth of Jesus Christ.
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao in his message appealed the people to spread the message of God of peace, love and harmony.
“It’s Christmas again and the message it brings every year has not changed. The Feast of Birth of Jesus Christ represents the victory of light over darkness, of joy over sadness, of hope over despair, of love over conflict,” the Archbishop has said in the message released last night to the parishioners.
“It returns every year to remind us that God has entered human history as a member of the human race in order to take it back to where it belong; Goa, the eternal source of joy, of peace, of love,” he said.
Further in his message, the Archbishop has said “at Christmas the distant God becomes the Immanuel, the “God with us”, and we are called to re-discover Him in every other human being, especially in the poor and marginalized, with whom He has identified himself in an eminent way through his very birth in a stable.”
“When we do so, we become the leaven of a new society wherein everyone is welcomed, accepted and loved, without consideration of colour, creed or race. This Christmas may God find a ready home in each of our hearts as we seek to recognize him in our fellow human beings and to spread his message of peace, love and harmony, both in word and deed,” he added.
The State is already abuzz with the tourists, the trend which will continue till new year.
Goa police had kept strong presence of its personnel around the Churches to avoid any untoward incident. The police presence along the beaches has also been increased.
Several Christian houses in the State have set up cribs displaying the birth of Jesus. A larger than life crib installed in front of Mary Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji has turned into a tourist attraction with thousands of visitors paying visit there last mid night.
The streets of Panaji and Margao were full with vehicles till wee hours as people participated in the traditional dance parties after the prayer service.
