Christmas is being celebrated across Maharashtra with pomp and fervour. The jolly festivities began last evening with churches holding the Christmas Eve mass. The Christmas Eve service, including the gospel of Christ’s birth, prayers, singing competitions, Christ’s birth story drama, decorations and competitions marked the celebration. Markets across the state also decked up to attract a festive mood.
The birth of Jesus was celebrated with enthusiasm at midnight in various churches in parts of Maharashtra. In Mumbai, the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, addressed the people at the Holy Name School Ground, Colaba at midnight mass. In Nasik, a special community program marked Christmas held at Saint Anna Church on Nashik Road at 12 o’clock in the night. On this occasion, Father Gilbert Dinis, the head priest of Saint Anna Church Mahamandir conveyed the holy message to the people. In Dhule, Christmas was celebrated in the presence of representatives of all religions. A special prayer meeting was held this morning at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dhule city. On this occasion, cake was cut in the presence of representatives of all religions and Christmas greetings were conveyed to all.
MP Dr. Shobha Bachhav, MLA Anup Agarwal, Father Wilson Rodriguez, Joseph Malabari etc. were present on this occasion. Prominent churches in various Mumbai suburbs including Colaba, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Mahim, and Vasai, are decorated with lights and a Christmas theme. Musical programmes are also being organized in many churches in the evening. In some places, people and organizations joined Christmas festivities with homeless and pavement dwellers while distributing cakes and fruits to them. Lighting, decorations and thematic Christmas cribs set up in homes in Christian-dominated localities of Mumbai like Borivali, Kandivali Malvani, Andheri, Santacruz, Bandra, Mahim, Mazagaon, Byculla and Colaba, and the fishing villages in the coastal Konkan belt has created festive mood for the tourists. Hotels, restaurants and eateries have made special decorations and menus for Christmas, which will continue till the New Year. Marketplaces are full of attractive Christmas goods.
