Shillong: Christmas, the biggest religious festival in Christian-majority Meghalaya was celebrated on Saturday with solemnity, religious fervor, joy and caution in keeping with safety protocols due to the ongoing pandemic.
The spirit of yuletide reigned supreme as the state ushered in the advent of the ‘Prince of Peace’, Lord Jesus Christ with mid-night masses last night and special services and prayers on Christmas Day.
Midnight masses were conducted in the churches in keeping with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), even as relatively large numbers of people, including tourists visited the various places of worship.
Bishops and pastors led services and delivered sermons in various cathedrals and churches of different Christian denominations across the state.
Prayers were also offered at the Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong on Christmas Eve with the singing of Carols and discourses.
People offered prayers in the churches and greeted each other. In their sermons, the Bishops and Pastors appealed to people to uphold the ideals of universal love and brotherhood.
All churches, missionary institutions, government and commercial buildings and private premises, shops and market places were also decorated with colourful buntings and lights.
Exchange of greetings and gifts, visits to relatives, feasts marked celebrations across the state where over 80 per cent of the population is Christian.
Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma conveyed Christmas greetings and good wishes to the people.
