Christmas in Lahore was celebrated in Lahore with religious festivity and fervour on Saturday. The administration has issued directives for maintenance of strict security on the occasion of Christmas. Christmas festivities started on Friday midnight with Mass services in churches. The Christian community attended the services in large numbers and greeted each other after the service was over.
Naulakha Presbyterian Church witnessed the biggest congregation in the city, while a large number of Christians also gathered at the Cathedral Church and Church of Pakistan Lahore Diocese. Special prayers for peace and prosperity of the country were held on the occasion. Men, women and children wore new clothes, decorated their houses with Christmas trees and held feasts.
Almost all the churches have been decorated with colourful lights and illuminated Christmas Trees. Special prayer would be offered for prosperity of the country. Different programs and ceremonies are being organised in the areas where Christians are living in majority. Cake cutting ceremonies are also being arranged by prominent political figures. Meanwhile, Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik felicitated the nation on the eve of Christmas on Friday.
"Christians have no monopoly on Christ. He belongs to all whether black or white, yellow or brown, young or old, men or women," he said in his Christmas message issued. He said the forces of evil and darkness could not extinguish the light that Christ had lighted in the world through His life and teachings. The bishop prayed for peace in the world and prosperity and solidarity of Pakistan.