India, Dec. 25 -- Across Goa, the festive season is in full swing, with Christmas celebrations taking on a more modern and lively character. Bright lights, packed schedules, and large gatherings now shape the season for many. The focus has shifted towards convenience and display, influenced by social media and aesthetic trends, leaving little room for the slower traditions that once defined Christmas in the Pearl of the East.

Isabel Vas, 74, an author, theatre director, and teacher, described Christmas as a deeply religious and family-centred occasion rather than one defined by noise or spectacle. Growing up in a large household that included grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and siblings, she recalled homes filled with people and co...