Christmas preparations in full swing

With a few days left to the grand festival of Christmas, members of Christian community of the twin cities are busy in their preparations to celebrate the festival in a befitting manner.

The members of the Christian community are participating in the preparations of the grand festival with great enthusiasm and the chiming of church bells can be heard to announce the day of birth of Jesus Christ.

The cheerful occasion of Christmas has filled the atmosphere with Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Christmas gifts and carols.

“Christmas is an occasion for us to enjoy and celebrate. We decorate Christmas trees with ornaments and visit family and friends to exchange gifts and greeting cards,” said a group of young girls shopping for bells to ornament a Christmas tree.

“We have almost completed our preparations and now we are preparing to decorate the Christmas trees in our homes,” they said.

The festival of Christmas includes events from official gatherings to cake-cutting ceremonies. Girls and boys studying in various educational institutions run by churches are rehearsing for tableaus and carols to add charm to the Christmas functions.

All young and old are visiting Sunday bazaars and markets of the capital to shop for themselves and their loved ones while youngsters are showing interest in buying Christmas cards and gifts to show their love.

The main ritual of the Christmas celebration, among others, is decoration of Christmas tree to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus who is also known as Father Christmas.

The Christmas tree is usually decked with different ornaments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of different shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons.

An angel and star is often placed at the top of the tree.

Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations for the people belonging to the Christian faith.

With the world becoming a global village, the spirit of Christmas transcends borders and people can see how enthusiastically the festival is celebrated at different locations across the globe.