The tradition of giving gifts during Christmas has its roots that goes back as far as the Nativity story, whereupon the three wise men gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant Jesus.

 The Romans had their own tradition of giving gifts during Saturnalia, which was a festival that began on December 17 and lasted until the December 23.

 St. Nicholas was perhaps one of the most famous gift givers in Christmas history, as he delighted children and adults alike in the surprise presents he left behind in the shoes that were left outside their homes.

 In the 13th century, many French nuns made and gave gifts to the needy on the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas which is celebrated on December 6.

 But it was in the 18th century that gift- giving became a central tradition of the Christmas festivities.

The gifts that were given were to remind those of the wise mens journey and of God’s selfless gift to humanity, and to help those who were unfortunate.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai

Today is Christmas day and with it commences the week-long programs organized by the various parishes in the state. The programs could include Carol singing competition, competitions in crib-making, star-making, Christmas tree competition, etc. Having competitions during the Christmas season may not be in the true spirit of Christmas. Instead of competitions it would be desirable for the parishes to have presentation programs for the parishioners where there is no winner and no loser. Presentation programs should be held to bring out the latent talent among the parishioners and each participating individual/ group should be presented with a token gift for taking part in the program. Having competition can have feelings like jealousy, disappointment and dejection on not winning a prize, a feeling of being better than the others or a sense of being a loser creeping in. 

All these negative feelings are not in the true spirit of Christmas and not according to the teachings of Jesus Christ where all are equal. Parishes should hence have presentation programs instead of competitions during the Christmas season.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

For Ribandar this Christmas is a very special one as our renovated Church premises nears completion. We all remain very indebted to our dear Parish Priest Fr Antonio Lourenco Fernandes for having tirelessly overseen the refurbishment of our Church premises which for years had been in a dilapidated state. Our Ribandar Church for decades was lacking in the very basic amenities while the infrastructure within our Church was awful.

Let our firm resolve always be to relentlessly strive for a better Ribandar which is currently lacking in basic facilities while our locality has remained neglected despite being on the outskirts of Goa’s capital. Ribandar may be part of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) but as far as overall development and civic amenities is concerned, we remain utterly neglected and in a decaying state despite the very high municipal taxes we pay. There are some villages in Goa that are much better off.

Ribandar has for decades been demanding a football ground, a community hall and a proper market but it is very anguishing that these long standing demands of Ribandarites are yet to be fulfilled. We do not have a Children’s park or a garden nor a public library and there is lack of proper sanitation with garbage strewn all over. Erratic power and water supply is the order of the day. It’s high time there is a sewage pipeline in place.  And in the Fonduvem Ward of Ribandar even the dead are denied a proper crematorium to Rest in Peace.

Christmas is a time for hope and joy to triumph over adversity. Let us pray that God will bring order out of chaos and this renewed hope will ensure that our residents experience better days ahead.

Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Christmas message 

Make your Christmas simple and meaningful. Reflect on the birth of Jesus. Imagine a young mother placing her newborn in a manger, no nurse to help her, no medical attendants to guide her, only her lone husband, Joseph, by her side. What must have crossed her mind as Mary laid her babe in the cowshed for shelter. 

The shepherds were the first to see the baby to adore and worship him. The wisemen, though knowledgeable, struggled to find the child. God Almighty humbles himself for the love of mankind and takes the lowest place he can find in this world. These were a reality two thousand years ago but today we only celebrate the event to keep us reminded though times have changed God's love remains infinite for us all Irrespectably.  Humanity is just one race of human beings. I quote Gen. 1.26 ... And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. That's mankind. Let us not tear apart humanity into pieces to divide and separate us; to create hatred, jealousy, revenge; to bring wars, misery and destruction. That was not the plan of God at the time of creation but that we live in love and unity in brotherhood. 

This Christmas as we sing: Joy to the world and Oh, come let us adore him, let us celebrate love, touch a life and build a home, for these cost us nothing but build a treasure into the unknown. 

Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo

It gives me immerse satisfaction that SOTTO is finally in Goa, all thanks to Adv. Wilbur Menezes and the petitioner of The Mango Foundation to awaken the Goa Government specially the health Minister that’s this was needed in Goa.

I have seen the procedures taking place in Mumbai as regards to live organ donation, my sister-in-law was a kidney precipitant where an ABO transplant was done in Goa I guess that’s far away to be done or started.

In Mumbai SOTTO was in place and Goa been a small state we didn’t have SOTTO which was very sad & disturbing. There are so many people with diabetics & high blood pressure would need a kidney transplant at any given time.

Hope the HM and doctors start awareness programs & educate people to under the set of SOTTO how it works, how cadaver organ donation does takes place etc, there are some doctors who are willing to spare time from their busy schedule for this cause

Hope fully someday Goa has some kidney foundations where people can benefit in getting medicine/blood test with great discount. Like foundations in Mumbai which my sister is linked. http://www.narmadakidney.org/ & many more.

Goa can set an example to rest of the country so let’s pledge to donate our organs.

Gabriel Pereira, Mapusa

Not too long ago, we were one nation, one people. And then the politicians arrived and took over from where their political masters had left off. They not only divided us, but went one better, by further sub-dividing us, so that they can live happily ever after!

The current protests must be seen as a cry for course correction.

Robert Castellino, 

Calangute