Music, mass and merry making: It was a magical Christmas

Every year, on Christmas Eve, thousands of Hyderabadis throng city churches for the special midnight mass. And this year was no different. It was a sight to behold as all the cathedrals in the city were were lit up with shimmery lights and X’mas decorations. The merry Christmas spirit filled the air as denizens from all walks of life turned up in their Christmas finery to attend the midnight mass and the morning sermons and prayers. The aisles of the churches reverberated with the pastor’s voice as he read out the sermons, followed by the soulful hymns and rhythmic carols, even as the devout hummed along. While the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gunfoundry set up a 20-ft tall Christmas tree, adorned with ornaments, fairy lights, stars — et al, the Centenary Methodist Church at Chapel Road was decked up with multi-coloured shamiyana. But what was even more special here was the youth choir band that belted out some energetic festive beats that got the devotees to sing along in unison. “We played many songs, including the all time favourites, O Holy Night and Mary Did You Know. It is an amazing feeling to be able to play with such a talented bunch of young people who are devoted to share the Christmas joy amongst everyone. I wait eagerly for this every year,” exclaims 26-year old Sharon Priyanka, a city-based music teacher, who plays the double bass as part of the youth choir at the Centenary Methodist Church. In Secunderabad, the St Mary’s Basilica, one of the oldest monuments in the city, looked magical with glimmering wreaths adorning the walls around the meticulously arranged nativity scene with baby Christ in his manger. “Every year, I look forward to attending the Christmas Mass as it fills me with peace and joy. This Christmas, my family has decided to celebrate the festive season by distributing warm clothes to the poor at the church, it sure is fulfilling,” says 24-year-old Mary Silveru, a city-based IT professional, who attended the morning mass at St Mary’s.