Religion News – Newsletter for December 25, 2010

Christmas carols, cakes and gifts, it’s merrymaking in Delhi!

NEW DELHI – Soaking in the festive spirit while wrapped in layers of clothing, Delhiites Saturday visited various decked up churches, sang carols, exchanged presents and gorged on fruit plum cakes to celebrate the festival of Christmas.

Braving chilly winds, denizens of the city assembled for the midnight mass at the churches Friday night on [..] Read the original article: here.

Kerala Christmas low key after Karunakaran’s death

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Thousands of devout Christians attended mass at churches across Kerala Saturday and headed home for a special breakfast of appam, stew, baked bananas and cakes, but the usual public revelry was low key following four-time chief minister K. Karunakaran’s death.

While in some churches the mass began soon after midnight, in others it …. Source article  : Kerala Christmas low key after Karunakaran’s death.

Israel braces for tourist influx on Christmas

JERUSALEM – Israel has made all arrangements to provide easy access to its religious places and ensure full security of around 90,000 tourists who are expected to visit the country on Christmas this year.

Israeli tourism ministry estimates the arrival of nearly 2.4 million Christian tourists by the year’s end. One-third of them are pilgrims …. Original source  : Israel braces for tourist influx on Christmas.

Pope leads midnight Christmas Mass amid tight security

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI led the Vatican’s Christmas celebrations late Friday with the traditional midnight Mass, which began amid tightened security measures following last year’s intrusion by a mentally disturbed woman.

Thousands of people flocked to St Peter’s Basilica as Benedict began presiding over the ceremony. Many more followed the proceedings on giant … Read more >>>.

Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas festivities

BETHLEHEM – Thousands of Christian faithful from around the world converged Friday on Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas in the town where, according to the Biblical account, Jesus was born.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, arrived in the city in the afternoon, at the end of the traditional procession from Jerusalem.
The first part …. Original article  : Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas festivities.

Mumbai ushers in Christmas with faith

MUMBAI – Thousands of worshippers gathered in gaily decorated churches across Mumbai at midnight Friday to usher in Christmas.

Churches across the city wore a welcoming look, decorated with stars and fairy lights. The Archbishop of Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias conducted the midnight mass at the Holy Name Cathedral in Colaba in south Mumbai.
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pope to lead midnight Christmas Mass amid tight security

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI was Friday set to lead the Vatican’s Christmas festivities by celebrating the traditional midnight Mass.

The ceremony was expected to take place under tight security in the wake of an incident at the same event last year when a mentally disturbed woman jumped over a barrier and lunged at … Read more >>>.