Christmas spirit lives on in Goa

Panaji, Dec 27 (ANI): Christmas might have been over, but the festival spirit still lives on in Goa in form of cribs put out by locals recreating the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

Numerous cribs in various sizes depicting Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the three kings, sheep and camels, set against a backdrop of a manger adorn the houses, churches across the state.

For the Catholic families, the tradition of crib making is as special as the festivity of the Christmas.

These cribs are made by the people themselves, from different materials such as thermocol, paper, wood and clay.

They are done up beautifully by the people in an effort to replicate the exact setting of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

In today's times of turmoil, these cribs have also come to be associated with peace and harmony.

According to the Christians, Jesus was a messenger of peace so by making these cribs, they want to spread the message of peace and harmony.

"He has influenced the whole world. This is a new era of the Christian gospel that has to go around especially at a time when there is war. We want peace, Jesus is a priest of peace," said Father Ivo Consecao Souza.

A classic crib has infant Jesus in centre, framed by Mary and Joseph, and accompanied by an ass and an ox.

The cribs, which are thrown after midnight mass on 25, are on display till January 6, the day when feast of three Kings is celebrated. By Arvind Tangse (ANI)