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JOY OF CHRISTMAS @ PUSHPASHRAMA
“And Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day...”
The feast every Christian household looks forward to, a day that marks a
renewal in Christian life and an occasion that binds all the children of
the most high is Christmas. After intense spiritual preparation and
completing the humongous tasks of preparing huge Choir bound, Santa
themed star and the Crib based on the Ascent of Mount Carmel, the
fathers and brothers prepared themselves to celebrate the incarnation of
our Lord on the 24th of December at 9: 30 PM in our beautifully
illumined Shrine. Melodious carols were sung by the brothers during this
time. The mass which began at 10:00 PM was presided over by Fr. Oswald
Crasta who preached a meaningful homily based on the symbols we use in
Christmas like the star, gifts, tree etc.
This year, the community decided to celebrate Christmas differently with
the sole intention that the lay faithful should also participate fully
in this feast. Hence a creative representation of the nativity of Jesus
was presented by the brothers after the penitential rite. Subsequent to
the celebration of the mass, people were entertained with variety of
games like Tambola (Housie- Housie) and Lucky star of Pushpashrama.
Prizes were also distributed to best star and Christmas tree which were
displayed in the shrine campus. The faithful also shared Christmas joy
by savoring coffee and cake after the mass.
After greeting the people, the fathers and brothers gathered in the
refectory and as one family and wished each other. Kuswar was relished
along with the sip of the home made wine prepared by Fr. John. The feast
also put a solemn end to the three days of house caroling, wherein
brothers with guitars, tambourines and cymbals spread the Christmas
message and also invited them to the Sadbhavana day.
On the 25th of December, English mass was held at 8: 00 AM which was
celebrated by Fr. Pradeep Pinto. Cake was distributed after the mass and
people went home after appreciating the meaning and beauty of the Crib
and the Star.
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