As few days left in the Christmas, the Christian community in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has started making preparations for celebrating the event with zeal and fervor, while the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has also installed several Christmas trees at different points of the city. The Christian community of the metropolitan looks busy in decorating trees and in exchanging gifts. At the same time, shopkeepers have also established stalls of Christmas cards and other related items in front of their shops to attract maximum customers. Christmas day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ celebrated on December 25 as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide. Christmas, a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians and is an integral part of the holiday season. In Pakistan, including the federal capital, Muslims also express solidarity with the Christians on the occasion.
In this regard, the civic body of the city also erects Christmas trees at different points as a number of employees of the CDA belong to the Christian community. During a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, it was noted that despite alarming inflation, the shopping for Christmas was in full swing as the followers of Christ, wanted the day to be celebrated as a special day. The Islamabad Police have also made special security arrangements for the Christmas and the police officials will also be deployed in front of all major churches of the city. The administration of the churches has started decorating their worship places for the special day. “We will have to clean the church on Christmas day for the sake of our religion and worshippers,” said Qaisar Masih, an administrator in at Fatima Church. A special candle service will also be held at the churches of the twin cities. The old carolers will take their lanterns to walk and sing till late at night and then coming home with cold-nipped faces. In a bid to attract the children and youngsters, the Christmas trees will also be displayed at churches. Talking to Pakistan Today, a local priest of a church said preparations were made to signify the birth of Jesus Christ, adding that the Christmas brought a message of peace and to remain united irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion.
