Dibrugarh churches lit up as Christmas preparation gathers steam

DIBRUGARH: With just a day to go, churches across the town are making last-minute preparations for Christmas.

Churches across Dibrugarh, including the Catholic Church at Khalihamari, Baptist Church at Jail Road, Church of Jesus Christ at Kadamoni, Presbyterian Church of India at Paltan Bazar and Church of North India at South Khalihamari, are all decked up with colourful flickering lights, balloons, ribbons and Christmas trees. Artists are putting the final touches to the Nativity scene.

Like other years, the Catholic Church at Khalihamari, which was built in 1931 and is one of the oldest churches of the northeast, has been elegantly decorated with sparkling lights, stars and an illuminated Christmas trees. A beautiful tableau of Jesus has been set up at the altar of the cathedral along with other prettily decorated cribs symbolizing the birth of the Christ. Parishioners were busy decorating the statue of Mary inside the church compound with ribbons, candles and lights. Every year on Christmas day, over 10,000 people across all faiths come here to light up candles at the base of the statue.

On Sunday, the festive mood was evident at the Catholic church with a local gospel band practising popular Christmas songs like ‘Feliz Navidad’, ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Oh Holy Night’, ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ and ‘I Will Be Home For Christmas’.

“The holy communion service will start at midnight on Monday. Around 3,000 people are expected to participate in the midnight mass. The church choir group will also present Christmas carols on the occasion,” said Father Nicholas Kerketta, the parish priest of the Sacred Heart Cathedral at the Catholic Church.

Bishop of the Dibrugarh Diocese Reverend Joseph Aind said, “I extend my love and best wishes to everyone on Christmas. It is an occasion to pray for harmony and goodwill, a time for love and forgiveness. We should all celebrate and rejoice.”

The Baptist Church located at Jail Road has also been spruced up for the special day. Pastor CW Marak informed that a midnight service has been planned on Christmas eve. It will be attended by 200 devotees. On Tuesday, a prayer session has been scheduled from 10am, which will be followed by a community feast.

The Missionaries of Charity at Boiragimoth has planned a prayer session for seeking blessings for the ailing and the needy on Christmas Day. Fruits and cakes will be distributed among the inmates of the charity home.

In the Christian neighbourhoods, people were seen putting up Christmas trees adorned with silver and golden bells, tulle swags, striped candy sticks, satin ribbons and poinsettia candles inside their houses and porches. Confectioneries and gift shops are doing some brisk business ahead of the festive season. Restaurants, malls, coffee and card shops across the town have been adorned with Santa Claus figurines and stars in various colours and shapes.