Northeast soaks in Christmas celebrations

Northeast joined the rest of the globe in celebrating Christmas, as the entire region immersed in joy and festivities to mark the birth of Jesus. Morning Mass Prayers were held in all Churches across the region as people offered prayers to the Amighty so that peace, unity and brotherhood prevails in the society.

Nagaland soaked in festive spirit as people were seen thronging the Churches and extending greetings to their loved ones on the auspicious occasion. Our colleague Chiben Khuvung was in Wokha to capture the moments in Wokha as the entire state was agog with celebrations.

Sharing food and feasting are very significant part of Christmas celebrations in the Naga society. It is during this time that the entire community comes together and merry making. Residents of Wokha too celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ in the traditional way. Aroma of exotic indigenous herbs, vegetables and various other cuisines filled the air as people’s joy knew no leaps and bounds. Music, Dances, Fun games were too part of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Sikkim too prayed for lasting peace and prosperity as people congregated at the Churches to offer prayers in the Morning Mass service.

Mizoram too celebrated Christmas with pomp and gaiety which indeed is a moment of enthusiasm and traditional fervor for the Mizos. Presbyterian Church, the largest denomination in the state, organised the Christmas church service today as the Church was decked up with lights, angels and Christmas trees.

As praise and worship services on Christmas Day is a traditional practices for all Church denominations, the community feasts would be held tomorrow in majority of the villages and localities of the urban areas in Mizoram.

On the other hand, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha took part in the Christmas celebrations at Mariamnagar Church in Khayerpur in the outskirts of Agartala. After offering his prayers at the Church, Chief Minister Manik Saha also participated in the cake cutting ceremony along with local MLA Ratan Chakraborty.

What is significant is the fact that people belonging from different religious communities took part in the Christmas celebrations at the Mariam Nagar Church truly exhibiting the bond of love and unity.

Chief Minister Saha said that though it is Christmas and a festival of the Christian community, but in Tripura, people from all faiths also participate and send the message of peace, love and humanity which is very important.

Meantime, local villagers many of whom are Portuguese, and the first Christian settlers in Tripura expressed their happiness and appreciation as they celebrated the day with great fervour and enthusiasm.

The gloom of two years of Covid-19 pandemic has been replaced by cheerful Christmas spirit this year in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, with the return of pilgrims lifting the mood of the locals so heavily dependent on tourism.

Some five groups from different parts of India comrpising 250 individuals have gone to Bethlehem this year to attend the Christmas celebrations.