Aizawl: Christmas was celebrated on Thursday by most churches in all parts of Christian- dominated Mizoram with religious enthusiasm and traditional fervour to mark and commemorate the birth of Jesus.
Churches of different Christian denominations held special church services, offered prayers and delivered sermons on the birth of Christ in their respective churches to celebrate the event.
Group songs and special items related to Christmas were performed by youth members and children of local churches during church service to convey the message of love, peace and joy.
Traditional congregational singing services called ‘Zaikhawm’ were held by churches to sing Christmas songs and hymns after church services.
Christmas celebration began from Tuesday (December 24) evening locally known as “Urlawk zan’ or pre-Christmas night during which worship service, dedication of Christmas halls and congregational singing were held by churches.
The Roman Catholic Church also organized midnight mass on pre-Christmas night.
Although Christmas is celebrated usually for two days by most churches, sometimes the celebration lasts for a week depending on the convenience of local churches.
December 25 is regarded as the grand day of Christmas, which dedicated and sanctified for worship service, prayer and congregational singing.
High tea called ” Thingpui ruai” were served on Thursday, while traditional community feasts, which forms an integral part of Christmas celebration, will be held on Friday (December 26) by most churches, including Mizoram Presbyterian church and Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM).
However, some indigenous churches held community feast from Thursday.
In Mizoram, which celebrated the centenary of the arrival of Christianity back in 1994, Christmas is a blend of religious and traditional fervor.
Notwithstanding an English way of celebration, the proselytised Mizos follow their own way of celebrations in tune with their historic traditions.
Some Christian denominations, including Seventh Day Adventist, do not celebrate Christmas.