In the heart of Jamshedpur, Christmas came alive at the stroke of midnight as churches hosted special masses, resonating with the joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the timeless message of love and universal peace.
The city's churches transformed into stunning showcases of festive spirit, adorned with Christmas trees and stars, painting a vivid nativity scene. Christians flocked to the churches, gathering for the candle-lighting ceremony and heartfelt prayers at Beldih Baptist Church, St Joseph Cathedral, and St. Anthony's Church.
The devout filled prayer halls with anticipation as priests delivered messages echoing the qualities of compassion and love, central to the teachings of Jesus. Bishop, presiding over the prayer at St Joseph Cathedral in Golmuri, called upon the faithful to embody these virtues.
Midnight witnessed a cherished tradition led by Auxiliary Bishop Telesphore Bilung, as the child Jesus found his place on the crib inside the church. Carol singing, starting at 10:30 pm, and the subsequent prayer service at 12:15 am, enveloped the air with the enchanting sounds of bells, creating a festive atmosphere around the impressively decorated churches.
Beyond prayers, the community exchanged sweets, lit up the night sky with crackers, and united in the spirit of Christmas. All six Roman Catholic churches in the city commenced their programs in the evening, with Lupita Hall, Telco, initiating their midnight mass. Members of Lupita Hall spread messages of love and peace among Christian families in the week leading up to Christmas.
While the midnight mass was conducted in Hindi, the morning prayer service transitioned to English. The Roman Catholic Churches maintained a synchronized rhythm, starting morning prayer services at 6:30 am and a second session at 8 am.
In a poignant reflection, social worker Dominic D’souza emphasized, "Lord Jesus identifies with the downtrodden... Christmas should spread a message of love and universal brotherhood in society." These celebrations in Jamshedpur went beyond the superficial, encapsulating the essence of selfless love and meaningful existence.
