Christmas being the main festival for those practising Christianity, the community is in high gear to celebrate what is known as the season of the good cheers through exchange of gifts, love and merriment. The celebration for the much-awaited festival starts from the first Advent Sunday which is the fourth Sunday before the day of the Christmas.
When asked what Christmas signifies for them, the Christian community people say that it means reunion of the family members in an ambience of delight. “Gifts and foodies, cakes and cards constitute the quintessential Christmas. Besides, new cloths add merriment to the occasion,” said Ramesh Timothi, residing in Rajpur Road area.
The city’s churches were illuminated on Thursday, a day before the Christmas and the people would pray at different churches in the city at midnight that marks the advent of the auspicious day on which the lord of love, Jesus was born.
Dinesh Prasad from Central Methodist Church based in Dehradun said the celebration for the Christmas had started from November 29 which is known as the first Advent Sunday. Carols by the church members and performances by the kids have marked the day, he said, adding that the church had been decorated by the youth and other church members. The Service would start from 9. 30 am to continue till midnight, he said .
Things to bake cake and to buy gifts had started a week ago, said Premlata Timothi, a resident of Neshvilla Road. “We prepare cakes in larger quantity as we distribute them among friends and families. Mostly, we give the ingredients to the bakers who bake them for us. We have bought new clothes for the family members, particularly the kids. The day also happens to be our child’s birthday,” she added.
PJ Singh from Morrison Memorial Church on Rajpur Road said the Christmas stands for love, joy and brotherhood of one and all. “The lord came to rid the world of the things that stand contrary to what is divine. love is what constitutes the innate foundation of life. The Christmas comes every year to remind us of what the lord wants us to be and to inspire us to shed what stands against the divine attributes of life,” he said.