http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\12\26\story_26-12-2009_pg7_3
Christmas celebrated amid tight security By Aamir Yasin ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The Christian community of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated Christmas on Friday with religious fervour, enthusiasm and gaiety amidst tight security. The Christians community decorated Christmas trees and cribs in their houses. The Christians living in slums celebrated the event with more joy and religious zeal. They decorated their house with Christmas trees and organised musical parties where they sang carols keeping in view the dignity of the occasion. The twin cities' churches were illuminated with colourful lights. The cypress trees in churches were also decorated with colourful lights and tiny tinsels to give the occasion a touch of joy and gaiety. Several churches organised midnight services on Thursday where the Christian community offered prayers for peace and prosperity of the country. The midnight services were followed by morning services. Big congregations were held at the churches on Friday where the community offered prayers in the context of the birth and teachings of the Prophet Jesus. They also prayed for peace in the world. In their sermons, the priests stressed the need for religious tolerance, fraternity and brotherhood. They said everyone should make all out efforts and play role in the development of the country. The people also exchanged gifts and greetings on this occasion. Kids were very happy on discovering their gifts from under the Cypress trees commonly known Christmas trees in the morning or in the socks hanging near the fireplace, believed to have been left quietly by Santa Claus at night. "We love the gifts which Santa left for us," said some children at Westridge Church. Some children said they had written letter to Santa Claus for dolls and toy cars and he kept his promise. The local leaders of political parties including Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jama'at-i-Islami (JI), Awami Muslim League (AML) of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and others visited the churches and the residential areas of Christian community and expressed their solidarity with them. Home | National [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
