Christmas celebrated with pomp and gaiety across Assam

Correspondents

Kokrajhar: Along with the rest of the world, Christians of Kokrajhar celebrated Christmas in different parts of the district with pomp and gaiety. Followers of Christian faith were seen thronging the churches and offering special prayers in the morning.

In Kokrajhar town, the John Bosco Church, Baptist Town Church Kadamtala, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mijink Nwgwr held special prayers to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

State Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma visited the Don Bosco Church and offered prayers. She wished the people a merry Christmas and expressed hope that the festival would usher peace and brotherhood among the people of all faiths.

The chief of BTC Hagrama Mohilary also wished the people on the occasion of Christmas. He hoped that Christmas celebration would bring happiness and communal harmony in the region.

Former MP SK Bwiswmuthiary also extended best wishes to the people and hoped that Christmas would bring love and humanity among all communities while former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma also conveyed his best wishes to the people.

Many Christian families were seen preparing special eateries like pitha, sithao, laru and other sweets. Christmas was also celebrated in Christian-dominated areas like Ramfalbil, Dotma, Gossaigaon, Saraibil, Kachugaon, Jharbari, Janali in Kokrajhar district and Bengtol, Runikhata, Tukrajhar, Chapaguri, Kwila Mwila, Amteka, Bijni and Ranipur in Chirang district.

The Bhurpar Baptist Church, Runikhata in Chirang district near the Indo-Bhutan border was also teeming with people who had come to offer prayers.

TANGLA: Christmas was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour in Udalguri, with midnight mass ringing in the festivities to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches of Tangla,Harisinga,Udalguri and Mazbat wore a festive look as the faithful thronged the churches for midnight mass.

At Don Bosco Catholic Church, Tangla People of other religions also joined the mass and celebrations on Wednesday morning. Churches also held a series of programmes such as Christmas carol singing, Bible recital, among others. The scenes of the birth of Jesus were also enacted by faithfuls in the churches.

“Christmas is the festival of happiness, sharing and caring. The message is peace to the people of goodwill and hope that the holy day heralds peace in Assam and the rest of the nation,” said Father Marcus Lakra who led the prayers at Don Bosco Catholic Church, Tangla.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Santiuse Kujur also took part in the morning prayers and wished that the occasion spreads the message of peace, joy and brotherhood among the people. The church witnessed visitors throughout the day. Udalguri district as a whole was gripped in the Yuletide spirit with colourful decorations and Christmas carols. Don Bosco Catholic Church, Tangla was the main centre of Christmas celebration for the Catholic people. People lit candles and incense sticks in the church premises and offered prayers. Visitors of different faiths kept admiring the colourful decorations and decorative lighting works in the church premises.

JORHAT: Christmas was celebrated with enthusiasm in Jorhat district. Special prayers were held at the Borbheta Baptist Church and Don Bosco Catholic Church, Lichubari followed by feast at the Christian Medical Centre Church playground which was attended by Roshni Aparanji Korati, the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat, informed Dr. Sajib Barua, the chairman of the organizing committee.

DC Aparanji Korati officially inaugurated the Christmas extravaganza and attended the Christmas mass organized by the forum at the premises of the Mission Hospital, popularly known as JCMC, said Dr. Barua.

Special prayer session was also held at Kothalguree, Mariani, Eastern Theological College, Na-Kachari, Deberapara Baptist Church and Rajabari Baptist Church where prayer sessions were held for peace and harmony. Prayer was also held to pray for the peace of the departed soul of Sam Stafford who lost his life during the recent anti-CAA stir.

Haflong: Along with the rest of the world, Christmas was celebrated on Wednesday at various places like Umrangso, Mahur, Harangajao and Haflong in Dima Hasao district with special prayers, hymns and masses in churches, followed by the traditional community feasting. The celebrations which began from Tuesday night, will continue for two to three days in different parts of the district.

At Haflong, churches like St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Synod Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church and other churches at Mulhoi, Songpijang and Fiangpui celebrated the festival in a befitting manner.

A large number of people of all ages gathered in churches where special prayers and carols were performed throughout the day. Community feasts were organized on Wednesday at Fiangpui and Lodi where thousands of people from various castes, creeds and religions took part.

The churches were decorated with colourful lights, stars and Christmas trees and Santa Claus. Many Christians in the district marked the day by attending special church services, spending time with family members, wearing new clothes and eating a festive meal.

Some families exchanged gifts and gave small presents or sweets to children. Some also put up a Nativity scene with clay figures or a Christmas tree. Christmas trees in India are usually imitation pine trees or branches of native trees or bushes.

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