Members of the Bhubaneswar Christian Community celebrate Christmas at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5: Christmas may be three weeks away, but the celebrations have already begun.

A couple of the popular hotels already had their plum cake-mixing ceremonies a fortnight ago and the Bhubaneswar Christian Community organised a cultural event as part of their Christmas celebrations at Rabindra Mandap this evening.

The Bhubaneswar Christian Community is an association of 74 churches and para-church organisations. The evening saw groups from some of the member churches present their acts. The students of the Life Theological Seminary presented the welcome song and Father Reverend Mohan Nayak of the Catholic Church provided the Christmas message.

“Christmas is an opportunity to extend peace and brotherhood among all mankind just as Christ had professed and practised through his life,” he said.

The cultural programme commenced with an Odissi dance recital titled Come Let Us Adore Him by YMCA followed by Nativity, a skit by Catholic Church showcasing the story of the birth of Christ.

A.G. Church presented an English song-and-dance recital titled Immanuel and the Indian Pentecostal Church presented a hymn titled Glory to God. The Life Theological Seminary performed another play on the birth of Jesus. Mission India performed a dance on the track Jesus is Born. Then the WME Church presented a hymn titled Star in Bethlehem.

The Catholic Church then performed a dance titled Hosanna in the highest. The Zion Theological School performed a dance in Saura dialect while Life Theological Seminary presented a dance on an Urdu song. The Bethel Church also presented a dance titled Hallelujah and the Chunakoli Church closed the proceedings with a captivating dance performance titled A Saviour is Born.

A large number of people came to take part in the celebrations.

“I have come with my kids. The function is very colourful and heart-warming. I can feel the spirit of Christmas already,” said Sasmit Patra, an academic.

“Jesus Christ loves us all and we hope that true spirit of Christmas will bring peace and prosperity to all of Odisha,” said Swarupananda Patra, the president of the association.