AMN /
Christmas is being celebrated in different parts of India today with, singing of carols and exchange of greetings and gifts.Special midnight mass were held throughout the country to herald the festival.
Christians attended midnight mass by singing Christmas hymns and prayers. Churches, homes and streets have been decorated with lights. In states like Nagaland, Meghalaya, Puducherry and Goa, lanes are dotted with the Cribs, depicting Birth of Jesus Christ.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the people on the occasion. In his message, the President hoped that the spirit of Christmas will fill the hearts of people with love and compassion. He said, the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ will inspire people to contribute their best for the welfare of humanity.
The Vice President, in his message, said Christmas reaffirms peoples’ faith in the values of compassion and forgiveness taught by Lord Jesus Christ for the enlightenment of humanity. He hoped that the festival will bring peace, harmony and happiness in peoples’ lives.
Mr Modi said, in a tweet, that the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his message of peace, unity and compassion inspires us all.
At Vatican, Pope Francis celebrated a late-night Christmas Mass amid heavy security. The head of the Catholic Church denounced the continuing suffering of children. He mentioned those who faced hunger, danger on migration routes and bombing in Syrian cities such as Aleppo.
In Bethlehem, pilgrims gathered for Christmas Eve despite tight security in the shadow of the Berlin market attack. Celebrations culminated with a midnight mass at the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.