Christmas celebrated with fervour, spirit of goodwill in Kittur Karnataka region

Members of Christian community - both Catholics and Protestants - celebrated Christmas with religious fervour and spirit of goodwill by attending Christmas mass at various churches and prayer halls across various towns and cities of Kittur Karnataka region on December 25. Festivities included saying prayers, feeding the poor, cultural programmes and singing carols. The celebrations were vibrant, particularly in Hubballi and Dharwad where both Catholics and Protestants reside in good numbers. The centuries-old Hebich Memorial Church, the Church of All Saints, the Holy Cross Church in Dharwad, Basel Mission Church, CSI Maier Memorial Church and other churches in Hubballi were illuminated as part of the celebrations and witnessed a large turnout during the Christmas mass. As part of the celebrations, Christians in the twin cities put up the traditional Star sign in front of their houses, and various localities inhabited by them are illuminated with colourful lights. In fact, the festive spirit pervaded the twin cities for over a week with bakeries and shops selling cakes, puddings, chocolates and sweets, and stores selling Christmas gifts and clothes doing good business. Restaurants and malls wore a colourful look with Christmas trees being erected and Christmas decorations. Some non-Christian families received sweets and cakes from Christian families. A few Christian families invited friends and acquaintances to join them in the celebrations. At the CSI Maier Memorial Church in Hubballi, Rev. Sattyababu Samuel, Presbyter in charge of the church, along with Rev. Raju Medgoppa and Rev. Moses Huggi, led the Christmas service. Bible reading and prayers were conducted by Isaac Putlar and Shobha Shotakki. Prayers were offered and prizes were distributed to church members who had excelled academically. The church choir presented special Christmas hymns, and offerings were collected by the ushers. The offertory prayer was led by Rev. Sattyababu Samuel. Delivering the Christmas message on the theme ‘Preciousness of Life’, Rev. Samuel said that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolised hope and salvation, and urged the congregation not to live in fear but in faith, ‘as God had sent his only son for the redemption of humanity’. The service concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and benediction by Rev. Sattyababu Samuel. CSI Karnataka Northern Diocese Bishop Rev. Martin Borgai was among those who took part in the Christmas service at All Saints Church in Dharwad. Similar Christmas services were held in various churches across the region. Children and elders alike came dressed up for the occasion. Festival of compassion In his message on the eve of Christmas celebrations, Bishop of CSI Karnataka Northern Diocese Rev. Martin Borgai Christmas has said that Christmas is a festival of compassion, peace, love, and sacrifice that Christ gave to the world. “Christmas is not a festival limited only to the Christian community. We must love one another without considering caste or differences. Christmas, the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, is a festival in which people of other faiths actively participate along with Christian brothers and sisters. It is a celebration that brings joy to the entire land....

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