Christmas was celebrated by churches and communities by organising various activities and programmes across the state.
SXCC: St Xavier Catholic Church celebrated Christmas with Rector of SFS Seminary, Medziphema and former Principal of St Joseph’s College, Jakhama, Reverend Father George Parumbu Kattil, as main celebrant at church premises.
According to DIPR report, in the homily, Father George said God sent his only son to reconcile with human and that Jesus alone could bring reconciliation between humanity and divinity.
He asked the faithful to proclaim the good news for joy and that the saviour of the world was Jesus Christ.
Confession, baptism, reception (conversion to Catholic faith), novena, sprinkle of holy water and Eucharist along with Christmas vigil followed by fellowship were the highlights of the feast which began on December 16.
BJP: In view of the Christmas, a team led by state general secretary of minority morcha BJP Nagaland, Pintu M. Ghosh and another team led by state president minority morcha BJP Nagaland, visited Rev. Longsa Memorial Orphanage Dimapur and Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home Kohima on December 22 respectively.
NPP Nagaland: As a part of its social and humanitarian initiative, NPP Nagaland State, led by the president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema along with the state executive members undertook a pre-Christmas charity program for the patients and inmates of District hospital and District Jail, Dimapur on December 23.
LHD: Lotha Hoho Dimapur organised a pre-Christmas celebration on December 23 at Lotha Hoho Ki Dimapur.
TBC: Thenyizumi Baptist Chruch (TBC) organised pre-celebration of 75th gospel anniversary celebration-cum-joint Christmas under the theme, “The promise of peace on earth” on December 25 at Thenyizu village under Phek district.
Main speaker of the celebration, Rev. P. Bonny Resu urged the congregation to spread the message of peace through Christ. “Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ,” he said.
Stating that if one believes in Christ they will know peace, Rev Resu called upon the congregation to become the channel of peace through their respective work.
Earlier, greeting was shared by Vahine Thisa, offertory prayer by Duvolu Dawhuo, message in song by local parent choir and Kohima team.
Christmas greetings
Christmas greeting messages received from various sections could not be published as offices of the newspaper were closed on account of Christmas holiday. These messages, received from the chief minister and others, though belated, are being published:
Rio: Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in his Christmas greetings had said that “Christmas is a time to give thanks to Almighty God for the year that was coming to an end, and for the New Year that we are going to enter into in the next few days.” Rio had said, “No matter how special the gift you receive this Christmas, no matter how good the food you eat, this day can never measure up to the gift that we received on the first Christmas, when Christ was born. Christmas would be meaningless if it does not flow from your faith in, and gratitude for, what happened on that first Christmas day.”
With formal negotiations between the negotiating parties and the government of India coming to an end, Rio also made a clarion call to all the “various Naga groups” to come together and unite for the “overall interest of the Naga family as the modalities and competencies are being worked out.”
CNC: Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC) in its Christmas greetings had said that the season should be a time of love, peace, reconciliation and restoration for everyone so that together “we can build our nation for Christ”. The council greeted everyone a Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year.
AAGBA: All Angami G.Bs Association had extended warmest season’s greeting to all and wished that peace and true justice of the Lord prevail. The association also wished that the New Year bring peace, unity and prosperity so that all may march forward together to bring positive change.
CFD: Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) had wished and prayed that the people would focus upon Christ not only in this year’s celebration but also in the New Year to come. CFD also wished all a very happy Christmas and peace filled New Year 2020.
NCRCC: The Central Council of Nagaland Christian Revival Church Head Office Kohima had conveyed Merry Christmas greetings to all the citizens of Nagaland.
NPF minority wing: NPF Minority Wing had extended heartiest Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy NEW year 2020 greetings to the citizen of Nagaland and neighbouring areas.
NIIT: NIIT Dimapur had wished citizens of Nagaland a Merry Christmas.
N Kitovi Zhimomi: Convener, WC, NNPG, N Kitovi Zhimomi on behalf of the Working Committee of the 7 NNPGs had wished each and every Naga, in villages and towns far and near, beyond artificial boundary and across the world a very joyous Merry Christmas.
In his message, Kitovi said, “In such a crunch time in our history, may we all accept and admit the fact that we have wronged and hurt both Christ and fellowmen in our desire to fulfill earthly goals and ambitions, both personal and collective.”
He said it was time for all, whether leaders or followers, to understand that Christ came to teach humility, love, forgiveness, tolerance towards oneself and others.
Rh.Raising: NSCN (I-M) collective leadership member, Rh. Raising said by tradition, Christians celebrate Christmas every year on 25th of December. Raising said, “It is celebrated because it is the beginning of a new world, a new generation, a new law, a new faith, a new culture, a new social system, and a new era. It is a paradigm shift from the old order to the new one.”
While narrating about why Christmas was necessitated, Raising said Jesus who was born in Bethlehem on Christmas day was the Messiah that the world had been looking for. “He is the author of our faith, hope and love. He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings and the everlasting life. Let us adore Him and worship Him.”