Mangalore: The Merry Christmas was observed on December 24 Monday night at city churches by the mass prayers.

The Christian people take part in churches till midnight. Christians decorated their houses with colorful lights, Christmas trees in dark green and colorful paper also hanging lamps with a massage for Happy new year. Their children wondered all over the church colonies in various places of city receiving gifts from elders and wearing new dresses in bright styles. At homes the elderly and adult members of the families cut cakes and distributed khushwar to their children and prayed for god’s blessings and for Infant Jesus to bless them.

In Mangalore Rosario cathedral of Portuguese historic importance was the cynosure of all Christian eyes, who had gathered in a cold night to sing carols and pray to god to bring Infant Jesus once again to this world so that they can follow him and experience ecstasy.

Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha celebrated the Mass at Rosario Cathedral.

There was a high mass at night not only Cathedral but also at churches in Humpankatta (Milagres), Jeppu Seminary, Kankanady Sister’s Cloister, Bendoor St. Sebastian, Bejai (St. Sebastian), SAC Chapel, Vamanjoor and other places. In some areas the mid night mass was performed at 8 pm for the convenience of church-going women and children in their best attires in chilly weather of a winter that has arrived in the port city in November itself.

The entire evening and morning of Monday on the eve of Christmas was spent by Christian families in buying articles for the feast on Dec.25, and for shopping various dresses gifts, Khushwar and other gifts for the children in the name of Infant Jesus. There is a church for Infant Jesus in Bikarnakatte and smaller churches in Shakthinagar near convents and suburbs too.

Dec.25, Tuesday will be the day of feast for all Christians of various categories and the celebrations will be mostly at home with relatives and guests.