Kakinada: Churches aglow in festivity on Christmas Eve

Kakinada: All the churches in the East Godavari district have been illuminated and huge stars adorn the street corners and individual houses. Families are rushing to finish some last-minute shopping. But beyond all the glitter of Christmas celebrations, is the underlying message that Jesus Christ came into the world to save mankind. The message of peace and goodwill would be given in all churches. The community people by singing songs praises the birth of Jesus Christ in churches.

The Christmas crib dates to St Francis of Assisi. It was in 1293 that the first crib was made in the woods of Greccio near Assisi, on Christmas eve.

Locally available materials like grass, hay, wood, leaves, paper etc are used for making a crib.

The crib will be decorated with stars, balloons and festoons. Crib is a replica of the nativity scene of Birth of Jesus.

Citizens of Kakinada are attracted to a big manger about 30 feet, made by psychologist APJ Vinu and his wife Ginu, who were from Kerala and settled in Kakinada. They say that they make this crib with natural material only.

"We have a great feeling of joy a month before Christmas, we all unite, sit and plan and work together to welcome baby Jesus into our hearts and home. We love Christmas celebrations with crib, cake making, traditional Kerala dishes etc," the couple said.

In the wake of Covid-19, the spirit of Christmas was restricted with protocol and physical distancing. Faithful are praying the saviour for a solution from this testing time.