Jamshedpur, Dec. 24: Christians across the city soaked in festive spirit as they sang carols in decked up churches while attending special mass prayers on Christmas Eve. Late night, Church bells rang and Christians across the city celebrated Christmas with religious fervour and enthusiasm. Amidst the shadow of Covid-19, prayer ceremonies were held at several big and small churches in the city amidst limited gatherings.
The mass precedes the Christmas day and the church resounds with joyful singing of Christmas carols and thanksgiving. The people of Jamshedpur also soaked themselves in the festive spirit as Christmas brings with it goodwill and festivity, which seemed to overwhelm people as they made merry.
On the eve of Christmas day, a mass midnight prayer was organised in elaborate decoration will be done on this occasion at all the churches in the city including St Mary’s Church, Bistupur, Beldih Baptist Church, Northern Town and St Anthony’s Church in Pursudih.
Almost all the churches in the city started their first prayer service between 11 pm- 11:30 pm night. The St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Golmuri, the biggest church, saw a crowd of devotees attending the mass. There are seven Roman Catholic churches in the city are -Bistupur, Golmuri, Telco, Sonari, Parsudih, Kitadih and Mango. The total number of churches in the city is 26.
For many churches, Christmas celebrations and welfare activities go hand in hand. Each member of Bistupur-based St Mary’s Church will pool in items to be donated to the poor.
Emmanuel Baptist Church at Sitaramdera will observe the festival with social work too. The members of the church this year have decided to donate clothes to about 100 poor people situated in Loco Colony under Tatanagar Railway station. They will also distribute sweets.
Officials of St Mary’s Church said that the tableaux of Jesus Christ were specially made for this auspicious occasion. The entire premises has been decorated where people belonging to all sections will light up candles on the Christmas day.
Meanwhile a lot of shops in Bistupur and Sakchi are decked up with Christmas and New Year cards, decoration items, not to mention stars and Christmas trees-the city will be painted in red and white to bring in the Yuletide with fervour.
Mouth–watering Christmas cakes have been displayed at famous shops like Relish, Howrah Bakery and Brubeck Bakery. The youth are especially excited to celebrate the occasion with devotion. People are making a beeline for shops to buy attractive Christmas trees, cakes, gifts and decorative bells, despite skyrocketing prices.
Special holy mass was organised at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral and other major churches. Just before the mass, an image of child Jesus was brought by the priest preceded by rows of children holding lighted candles that were placed in the crib set up in the churches.
Special prayers were offered at churches and the pastors rendered select chapters from the Holy Bible. They exhorted the community members to be good to others and set an example.
