Churches decked up for Christmas fete

Anantapur: Christmas celebrations in the city reached a feverish pitch with the 100-odd churches in the city bracing up their congregations for the Christmas worship services which would start on the midnight of December 24 and conclude with the major worship services on December 25, the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ.

Christian localities in the city like Aravindnagar and Jesusnagar is dotted with multiple stars which are symbolic of the ‘Eastern Star’ of the Holy Bible which guided wise-men from the Eastern countries to visit the Saviour born in Bethlehem, a tiny countryside in Israel.

All over the city one can see illuminated stars which are adding beauty to it. One of the major attractions of Christmas celebrations is the white-washing and decoration of houses symbolic of heralding a new era in their lives.

As the evening dawns and darkness deepens in the cold winter nights, the multiple stars dotting the rooftop of houses in the city resemble the milky way with colourful stars making their presence felt and bringing new hope in their lives.

Bishop Raghunath Daniel in his Christmas message said that the star has a special significance in the holy scriptures. When the Holy Child was born, a star emerges in the heavens suddenly to signify the birth of a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

The star appears to three astronomers from the Eastern countries, who knowing its significance study the scriptures of the day only to find that a Saviour from the celestial world was born and finally they zero in on Jesus. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and worship the Saviour after finding him.

The famous classic hymn reflects the mood of wise men who sang “We three Kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we travel so far, Prayer and Praising, all men raising worshipping God most High. Oh! Oh Star of wonder, Star of Night, Star with Royal Beauty Bright, Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light,”. The celestial star acted as a guide to what the scriptures call as wise men from the east.

The stars, illuminated with lights, on the horizon were traditionally used to remind the followers of Christ that they are called to be the light of the world. Churches are full of decorations, Christmas trees, illumination, love feasts, poor feeding and distribution of gifts and clothing etc.

Church services on Christmas day will be the most colourful with men and women and young boys and girls in their new attires adding glitter and glamour to the universal celebration. Christmas celebrations however will continue until December 31 extending the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, politicians are busy reaching out to Christian community. Anantapur MP J C Diwakar Reddy has on Monday organised a massive Christmas celebration event while the State government has organised an official Christmas event on Tuesday.