The Christmas spirit means more than feasting on plum cakes, decking up Xmas trees lavishly and flaunting the Santa Claus dress code.
The best way to welcome Baby Jesus to the world is to open hearts and purses to the less fortunate, say churches.
Hoping to bring festive cheer among the poor, the Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur asked all seven Roman Catholic churches under its fold to pray and encourage members to donate in cash and kind during Christmas.
The seven Roman Catholic churches in the city are in Bistupur, Golmuri, Telco, Sonari, Parsudih, Kitadih and Mango.
"The message has been conveyed to all Roman Catholic churches in the city in tune with the worldwide year of Mercy instituted by Pope Francis and all churches will be holding special prayers for the underprivileged during Christmas and encourage members to spare time, energy and resources for the betterment of poor in society," said Father David Vincent, vicar-general of Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur and principal of St Mary's English High School, Bistupur.
St Joseph Cathedral in Golmuri, one of the oldest chuches in the city, urged its members to take part in philanthropic activities and also printed special cards carrying the mercy message.
These will be distributed during Midnight Mass on December 24 and Christmas morning church services on December 25.
"We have printed around 5,000 'Year of Mercy' cards carrying a message of mercy for the underprivileged and poor. We hope members do not forget about poor people in the festive ambience of Christmas and spare resources for them," said Father Camil Hembrom, parish priest at St Joseph Cathedral.
Bishop of Jamshedpur Diocese Felix Toppo will also deliver a message about the importance of giving away resources to the poor during Christmas Milan at St Joseph's Welfare Centre for all communities on December 26.
City churches belonging to the Baptist denomination have also decided to observe the festival in similar vein.
Sitaramdera-based Emmanuel Baptist Church has asked its members to pool in used clothes and cash to be distributed among inmates of the leprosy ashram at Baradwari on December 26.
"We have made announcements at our church that the collections during the Christmas gathering would be distributed among inmates of the leprosy ashram at Baradwari. Our members have also been asked to generously donate used woollens and blankets so that they can be donated among the ashram inmates," said Samuel Mohapatra, assistant secretary of the church.
Special Christmas prayer services for the poor would also be held at Beldih Baptist Church and St George's Church (both in Northern Town) and G.E.L Church in Sitaramdera and Sonari.
