KARACHI: The Christian community in Karachi celebrated the joyous occasion of Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ on Wednesday with traditional zeal and fervour.

The scene of baby Christ in his crib lined with straw in a manger with mother Mary and Joseph along with The Three Wise Men beaming over him along with the stars in the sky and animals showering blessings on him was re-enacted or reproduced at many places where celebrations were under way, including the churches.

All well-decorated Christmas trees in Christian homes had the carefully wrapped gifts for friends and family under them ready to be opened. Everyone was dressed up in new or their best clothes and the kitchens gave off aromas of the delicious food being prepared or being cooled to be enjoyed with relish.

On the city’s roads, too, one saw Christmas decorations, especially on Sharea Faisal near Gora Qabristan or the Christian cemetery where besides the decorated trees there were also reindeers pulling sleighs and Santa Claus of course, not to forget the dummy Christmas gift boxes.

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The main celebrations began on Christmas eve with the lighting of a 52-foot-tall Christmas tree that had a big bright star on the top at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

The lighting of this tallest tree in Karachi was carried out by Cardinal Joseph Coutts, who was joined by several priests and members of the Christian community there.

The tree was erected next to the white marble Christ the King monument outside the Cathedral.

The bilingual midnight mass at St Patrick’s drew in the biggest congregation despite the cold weather. Unfortunately, it could not be attended by Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, who was away in Lahore for carrying out extra responsibilities. The other familiar parish priests, namely Father Robinson, Father Amir or Father Shakil, were also away from St Patrick’s to help other churches.

On Christmas Day, there were also masses at 7.30am and 9.30am in English and at 11am in Urdu at St Patrick’s. More masses were organised at other churches all over the city in these languages and also Punjabi.

The government of Sindh provided special security to all churches for Christmas.

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Many Christmas carols were sung in different languages by the various choirs besides readings from the holy Bible and special prayers held for the country.

Later, in the evening there was a spectacular fireworks display in the skies above Azam Basti to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas cakes and other delicacies were prepared in all Christian homes and shared with friends and neighbours belonging to other faiths. Bakeries, especially those in and around the Saddar area, also offered Christmas plum cakes and other delights.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024