
Christmas is being celebrated worldwide with much pomp, gaiety and devotion with markets and churches glittering and households preparing special dishes for the day.
Across the world, Christians began marking Christmas with services, with Pope Francis holding midnight mass at the Vatican.
Pope Francis in his Christmas eve mass urged the world not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants who are “driven from their land”.
Thousands of tourists and devouts arrived in the holy city of Bethlehem, the West Bank town where it is believed that Jesus was born, for prayers and other Christmas celebrations.
Christmas marks the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated across the world on 25th December.
Celebrations across the globe are marked by cakes, candles, Christmas trees, exchange of gifts and the young and old singing carols.
The festive spirit is also very high across the nation.
In his Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis urged the world not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants who are driven from their land.
The pontiff compared them to Mary and Joseph, recounting the Biblical story how they had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
In Goa, people thronged churches on the Christmas eve for the traditional midnight mass.
Special prayers, carols and hymns mark the celebrations at the state’s ancient churches including the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji.
Reports of grand Christmas celebrations are also pouring in from various parts of the country, including Nagaland, West Bengal and Kerala.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the people on the occasion.
In his message, Mr Kovind hoped that this day will promote the universal message of love, sacrifice and compassion.
Mr Naidu said, Christmas reaffirms people’s faith in the values of compassion and forgiveness taught by Jesus Christ for the enlightenment of humanity.
Mr Modi said, may this festive season enhance the spirit of happiness and harmony in society.