Special services at 438 churches

LAHORE: Christmas was celebrated in Lahore like elsewhere around the globe with traditional religious fervour and zeal on Monday and special services were held in 438 churches in the city with prayers for country’s peace, security and solidarity.

The festivities began with special mass service in the specially decorated churches in the morning across the city where priests delivered special sermons while men, women and children vocalised carols and hymns to celebrate the great occasion.

The priests urged upon the believers to promote love, peace and harmony in the world to carry forward the message of Jesus Christ. They prayed for love and peace among the mankind as desired by Jesus Christ so that prevailing situation regarding terrorism could be ended.

Christian community members clad in new dresses attended church prayers as it was the biggest festival. Buildings, houses and residential colonies were illuminated, special Christmas cakes and candies were prepared on the eve.

The day began with the enthusiastic exchange of Christmas gifts among the family members and friends besides eating lavish food and sweet dishes specially cooked to celebrate the occasion.

After the community visited restaurants for dinner with families and buddies. It is pertinent to mention that a less number of Christians visited parks in metropolitan city because of security threats.

Strict security measures had been taken by police around the churches. Main prayer was held at Cathedral Church, Regal Chowk. Bishop Sebastian Shaw prayed for peace and prosperity of Pakistan and said the bond of interfaith harmony should be strengthened and the miscreants working against this should be exposed and singled out.

He said “we are satisfied with the security the government has provided us. Police and administration cooperated with us". Christianity is a religion of love. That is why Jesus gave us lesson of love and it must be spread everywhere with same spirit.

Christmas is an occasion when a hero and visionary leader was born who preached love without any discrimination of colour, creed, caste and region, said Bishop. Santa Clause distributed gifts among the people.