<p>Be it exchanging gifts, decorating trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, or waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, the Christmas fervour has gripped the City. The chill may be in but so is the warmth. ‘Merry Christmas’ greetings are making strangers bond and handclasps firmer. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Misers have become spendthrifts when it comes to giving to those who pass their hats around. Joy and excitement are written all over the City. <br /><br />Some of the families staying in the City say Christmas is all about giving and giving rather generously. It’s a time set apart exclusively for the family. Most churches across the City are decorated for Christmas, complete with a crib, lights and Christmas trees. There’s midnight mass in all the churches while prominent churches, such as Infant Jesus Shrine, St Mary’s Basilica, Francis Xavier Cathedral, St Mark’s Cathedral and Trinity Church, have two or three masses on Christmas Day. <br /><br />Fr Roy, rector of Infant Jesus Shrine, says that on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, the church is packed with not only Christians but also people from other religions who come to watch the celebration. “This is the feast for all mankind, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. More than extravagance, it’s time for people to indulge in selfless service and help those in need,” he adds. <br /><br />Partying and merrymaking are an integral part of Christmas and some families have begun preparations for the big day almost a month in advance. <br /><br />Vivek George, a young entrepreneur, started assisting his mother with the Christmas preparations some time back. Dry fruits and grapes were soaked in rum a month ago and the cakes have been baked a week before Christmas. “I help my mother in making ‘rose cookies’ and kal kals. For lunch, we will have fish as the main course. There will be pork and chicken too,” explains Vivek. “It’s the time when extended families come together and that’s the best part of this festival,” he adds.<br /><br />Ashley James Thomas, who grew up in Mumbai and Delhi, moved to the City less than a year ago. He’s still getting used to the City. “My mother is coming down for Christmas this year and we will probably go out for lunch or dinner. We lead such busy lives but during Christmas, I always make it a point to celebrate it with my family,” says Ashley. <br /><br />Bibin Joseph and his family are planning to go to Kerala, where he hails from, for Christmas. He says his mother would be making homemade cakes and savouries. “It’s my duty to make wine for Christmas. I pick, clean and soak grapes a month before Christmas. It’s a special wine because we mix wheat and spices with sugar and let it soak for 40 days. Rum is poured in after 20 days and the wine is ready for consumption,” explains Bibin. “I can’t wait to go home and catch up with all,” he adds.<br /><br />Christmas Mass <br /><br /> St Mark’s Cathedral <br />(Mass timing- December 24 at 11.30 pm and December 25 at 8.30 am.)<br /><br /> Infant Jesus Shrine<br /> (Mass timing- December 24 at 11.30 am and December 25 at 5.45 am, 7 am, 8 am and 11.15 am. No evening mass)<br /><br /> St. Mary’s Basilica <br />(Mass timing on December 25 at 6 am, 7 am , 8 am 9am and 11 am. No evening mass) </p>
<p>Be it exchanging gifts, decorating trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, or waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, the Christmas fervour has gripped the City. The chill may be in but so is the warmth. ‘Merry Christmas’ greetings are making strangers bond and handclasps firmer. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Misers have become spendthrifts when it comes to giving to those who pass their hats around. Joy and excitement are written all over the City. <br /><br />Some of the families staying in the City say Christmas is all about giving and giving rather generously. It’s a time set apart exclusively for the family. Most churches across the City are decorated for Christmas, complete with a crib, lights and Christmas trees. There’s midnight mass in all the churches while prominent churches, such as Infant Jesus Shrine, St Mary’s Basilica, Francis Xavier Cathedral, St Mark’s Cathedral and Trinity Church, have two or three masses on Christmas Day. <br /><br />Fr Roy, rector of Infant Jesus Shrine, says that on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, the church is packed with not only Christians but also people from other religions who come to watch the celebration. “This is the feast for all mankind, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. More than extravagance, it’s time for people to indulge in selfless service and help those in need,” he adds. <br /><br />Partying and merrymaking are an integral part of Christmas and some families have begun preparations for the big day almost a month in advance. <br /><br />Vivek George, a young entrepreneur, started assisting his mother with the Christmas preparations some time back. Dry fruits and grapes were soaked in rum a month ago and the cakes have been baked a week before Christmas. “I help my mother in making ‘rose cookies’ and kal kals. For lunch, we will have fish as the main course. There will be pork and chicken too,” explains Vivek. “It’s the time when extended families come together and that’s the best part of this festival,” he adds.<br /><br />Ashley James Thomas, who grew up in Mumbai and Delhi, moved to the City less than a year ago. He’s still getting used to the City. “My mother is coming down for Christmas this year and we will probably go out for lunch or dinner. We lead such busy lives but during Christmas, I always make it a point to celebrate it with my family,” says Ashley. <br /><br />Bibin Joseph and his family are planning to go to Kerala, where he hails from, for Christmas. He says his mother would be making homemade cakes and savouries. “It’s my duty to make wine for Christmas. I pick, clean and soak grapes a month before Christmas. It’s a special wine because we mix wheat and spices with sugar and let it soak for 40 days. Rum is poured in after 20 days and the wine is ready for consumption,” explains Bibin. “I can’t wait to go home and catch up with all,” he adds.<br /><br />Christmas Mass <br /><br /> St Mark’s Cathedral <br />(Mass timing- December 24 at 11.30 pm and December 25 at 8.30 am.)<br /><br /> Infant Jesus Shrine<br /> (Mass timing- December 24 at 11.30 am and December 25 at 5.45 am, 7 am, 8 am and 11.15 am. No evening mass)<br /><br /> St. Mary’s Basilica <br />(Mass timing on December 25 at 6 am, 7 am , 8 am 9am and 11 am. No evening mass) </p>
