United in a lockdown that is not natural for us, the great challenge imposed on the world throughout this year was to reinvent relationships and define a new normality with habits that made us, many times, question the nature of human beings.

And when we reach the month that celebrates love and peace par excellence, we are invited again to reinvent ourselves in affections, in this different Christmas, a Christmas that is distant in touch, but strong in emotions.

With or without a pandemic, Natal is synonymous with noble values. And in the last news@ FMUL of the year, we prepared an edition that reflects this, in a selection of excellence that shows the commitment, rigor and dedication of our community, every day, in a strong alliance with no insurmountable barriers.

In view of the announced pause in social distance, we understand that the freedom with which we were presented should not be synonymous with irresponsibility, and we call for prevention in the words of Professor Fausto J. Pinto, who addresses the entire community with a message of Christmas and Hope in this festive season.

We presented the irresistible proposal of our Advanced Nutrition Centre, a Christmas menu that combines the best of traditional flavours with health and sustainability.

We focused on the solidarity initiatives of our students and on what was a unique Christmas dinner in times of pandemic.

Imbued with the spirit of this time, we reflected on the importance of religion in illnesses in an memory itinerary.

And in the most recent episode of our podcast, we challenged you to explore the Universe, crossing planets and galaxies, on a journey led by Professor Edson Oliveira. The sky is the limit in yet another treatment Not subject to medical prescription.

We also remembered the best of December and talked to Professor António Gonçalves Ferreira, Coordinator of Anatomy, about what is a historic milestone for Portuguese medical schools, paying attention to the detail in the more than 800 pages that represent the new Human Anatomy Textbook in  Portuguese language.

We shared the Mentoring 2.0. Up We Grow initiative, with an overview of the Job Talks series that clarified our students about important decisions in the future.

And after knowing the students' perspective on the 7th edition of Beyond MEd, we bring you the view of our lecturers who were present at the largest Medical Education Congress in the country.

We also noted in Professor Ana Catarina Fonseca's research project on "Cardiac imaging in ischemic stroke of undetermined cause", which was distinguished with an honorable mention from the "Banco Carregosa/SRNOM award".

We understand how teaching, research and cardiology complement each other in Daniel Caldeira's journey, in yet another inspiring profile interview.

And as Fernando Pessoa wrote, “We are the size of our dreams”, we understand that nothing is impossible when the will to overcome barriers is stronger than any other doubt or obstacle. And it is our attitude that defines how high we have managed to reach, so that next year we will continue to consolidate the path that we have proudly followed so far.

May the spirit of this season radiate hope to all those around it and be, for you and for others, the Light that eradicates not the virus, but the fear and insecurity that disturb the World.

Sofia Tavares
Editorial Team