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| Prayers, exchange of gifts mark Christmas celebration in Jammu | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 25: Festival of Christmas--the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety on Wednesday in this region of the Union Territory.
All churches of the Jammu city and in outskirts were decorated and illuminated where the rush of devotees continued from midnight.
The prayer meetings were held in various churches including the St Mary's Garrison Church, Gandhi Nagar, CNI Church Residency Road, St Peter's Church and others. Large number of devotees including children participated in the celebrations.
The members of Christian community attired in colorful dresses were seen greeting, hugging and conveying Christmas greetings to each other.
Special cakes were cut and sweets were distributed among the devotees while prayers were held on the occasion for the peace and prosperity of the region.
The head priests gave sermons on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ who gave world the message of peace, brotherhood and love.
Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were made at various venues for smooth celebrations.
The miniscule Christian population of Kashmir on Wednesday celebrated Christmas with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour as the devotees thronged churches for mass as special prayers were held for peace in the valley.
The biggest mass in the Valley was held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road in the heart of Srinagar city, where hundreds of Christians including women and children assembled to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ and held special prayers.
The church was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons and wore a festive look.
Among those who prayed were tourists from different parts of the country who joined the locals on the auspicious day and prayed for peace in Kashmir and rest of the world.
Similar prayers were held at other churches in the city, at 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.
This year, people missed ''white Christmas'' as there was no snowfall ahead of the celebrations, however, early snowfall this winter ensured that the tourist resort of Gulmarg had plenty of snow. |
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