X-mas carols ring in Yuletide spirit

BHOPAL: They are at it for almost 15 days ahead of Christmas. Carol groups are busy spreading sweet melodies of 'jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way' and other carols in the city.
Members of several churches across the city have started going from home to home singing carols late at night, marking the arrival of Christ on December 25.
Santa Claus with these groups is already driving kids crazy, who are quietly leaving small chits about wishes and dropping them in Santa's bag.
Jerry Paul, a resident of Dwarka Nagar and member of St Anthony's Church, said, "Not only children in Christian families, but those from Sikh and Hindu families are equally excited to meet Santa. Parents already asked us to let them know when Santa arrived so that they may not have to run around the city to spot the Santa at public places."
"It was a great reunion for families from all religions under one roof at my home. The best part is every child dropped a wish chit in Santa's bag," he said. A 9-year-old Sikh boy Panth from Paul's society, rushed to Santa with a wish of having big bicycle as his Christmas gift.
Every year, singing of carols start 15 days before Christmas, where groups from over 100 churches move around to tell what significance of Christmas festival.
"Most of churches have started carol singing over places of Christian families. And not only Christians, whenever people from any religion invite us to sing carols at their place during Christmas season, we go to their place too," said Father Maria Stephen, spokesperson for Archdiocese of Bhopal.
Along with week-long carol singing sessions at homes, churches have started holding 3-4 days of special prayers along with confessions and reclamation. "During confession, people share their sins with priest, they committed in past one year. So that they can have a fresh start with a promise that they won't repeat it again." said Father Maria