Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 25: A spirit of festivity pervaded across the State as midnight masses, resonance of carols and merriment ushered in Christmas today.
As bells tolled, worshipers thronged churches and cathedrals decorated with twinkling lights for the midnight service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Sparkling Christmas trees and gift items adorned marketplaces that wore a festive look as community feasts, exchange of greetings and colourful processions marked the occasion.
Traditional Christmas carols rendered the air festive with gospel bands enthralling the merry-makers with songs. It was a busy day for Santa Claus, the man in red with a flowing white beard, who went from place to place cheering the revellers.
The winter capital tuned to a celebratory note with the yuletide spirit reflecting in tastefully decked up churches and santa caps dotting busy marketplaces.
Special prayers for world peace and brotherhood were held at churches. The main gathering was witnessed at the St Merry Garrison Church, Gandhi Nagar road, where devotees assembled in large numbers to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.
The church was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons and wore a festive look.
Not only Christians, but people from different faiths also visited churches along with their families and offered prayers.
“With so many disturbing things happening across the globe, especially terrorism which has affected every nation, we prayed for peace in the world so that every human being lives without fear,” said Mitali.
“I also prayed for the safety of women in the country so that they can roam freely in any part of India,” she added.
Apart from this, fool proof security arrangements were made across the churches and the busiest market places so as to avoid any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, Christmas was celebrated today in Kashmir valley with religious fervor and gaiety as members of Christian community thronged Churches for prayers across the region.
The biggest Christmas gathering in the Valley was held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Moulana Azad Road here in the heart of Srinagar city, where hundreds of Christians including women, men and children assembled and held special prayers for the peace, prosperity and brotherhood.
The church was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons and wore a festive look. Besides local Christians, the tourists and other non-locals residing in Valley also joined the believers at the Church in prayers and prayed for World peace.
Similar prayers were held at Saint Luke’s Church and All Saints’ Church in the city, Saint Joseph’s Church in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, the oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir and at the Church in the tourist resort of Gulmarg.
“We celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ and it is a moment of happiness. On this day, we give the message of peace of Jesus Christ and throw light on his teachings. We prayed for peace in entire world. God loves everyone and that love is shown by humans too by celebrating together, greeting each other and giving gifts,” Father Roy Mathews, the priest at the Holy Family Catholic Church, told reporters here.
However, people missed ‘White Christmas’ as there was no snowfall in Srinagar on this occasion. “Like before, we celebrated Kashmir with fervour. Christmas means love peace and harmony. However, we missed Christmas without snow (in Srinagar),” said a female tourist.
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