Lucknow gears up for Christmas celebrations
LUCKNOW: The city has geared up to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The celebrations began with church choirs going from house to house singing Christmas carols and prayers everyone’s peace and joy.
The prominent church of the city, St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hazratganj, will have the holy mass at the midnight of December 24 presided over by the Bishop of Lucknow, Gerald John Mathias, and other priests. Hundreds of people attend the midnight service and many of them are also from other faiths.
On December 25, besides divine services in the morning in various churches, there would be an exhibition in the Cathedral School compound depicting the message of Christmas, along with a dance drama depicting the Christmas story in the evening, said Donald HR De Souza, chancellor and spokesperson, Catholic Diocese of Lucknow.
Governor Ram Naik will be attending the main Christmas function to be held on December 26 at 4.30 pm in the Cathedral Church compound.
Christmas will be celebrated with the same fervour in other churches of Lucknow.
The city witnesses various cribs depicting the scenes of birth of Lord Jesus in churches and houses, exchange of Christmas greetings and cakes and Christmas carols.
In his Christmas message, Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow said, “May this Christmas bring us real peace and joy offered by Lord Jesus Christ.”
He appealed the Christian community to return to the true spiritual message of Christmas and not to commercialize the holy festival.
BISHOP GERALD MATHIAS APPEALED TO THE CHRISTIANS TO RETURN TO THE TRUE SPIRITUAL MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS.