BY FRANCIS RODRIGUES
MANGALORE: In a show of unity, Christians are coming together to celebrate Christmas in different parts of India.
In the northeastern state of Assam, various denominations gathered for a pre-Christmas celebration on Dec. 5.Twelve Churches met in Guwahati, Assam’s commercial capital, to celebrate Christmas with the theme “Jesus the prince of Peace and our Hope.”
They presented carols, skits and mimes on the theme.
“The celebration was meant to strengthen unity and mutual cooperation among Christians and to pray for our state,” said Reverend Michael Henry of Church of North India.
He also said Christmas is the time for Christians to share the message of peace and love and the Churches to respect each other.
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, the chief guest, urged youth to work for peace in the strife-torn northeastern India. The Catholic prelate said the Churches in the region have been working to bring peace to the region.
He also reminded the youth not to forget Christ’s teaching when they succeed in life.
Meanwhile, Mangalore diocese in Karnataka in the south of the country is preparing to celebrate the festival with people of other religions in villages. The diocesan Small Christian Community (SCC) began preparation for Christmas celebration in November.
The diocese has 1,588 SCC units, each comprising 20-50 families. Their leaders plan to celebrate the festival in villages during Dec. 17-19.
“At the local level, we share social and business transactions with people of every caste and creed. So we can also celebrate Christmas together,” said SCC director Father Gilbert D’Souza.
The SCC leaders have prepared CDs with skits and carols to celebrate Christmas with Hindus and Muslims. They have also printed a booklet of skits, Christmas quizzes and guidelines for distribution during the village celebrations.
“We will evaluate the celebrations through coordinators in January,” Father D’Souza added. UCAN