Governor urges to pray for permanent peace and brotherhood
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 27
Christmas was celebrated across Nagaland on December 25 with religious fervour by holding special services and prayers.
Young and old in their new dresses flocked to churches and exchanged gifts and greetings. Joining others, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima celebrated Christmas at NBCC Convention Hall.
Nagaland’s Governor PB Acharya in his Christmas message said Christmas is a time to thank God for his infinite gift of love and mercy to people of the earth. Extending heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the people of the state, Acharya said, “Christmas is celebrated to renew the bonds of love, tolerance and compassion which Jesus has taught the world.”
He appealed to the people to uphold the values of brotherhood, tolerance and caring which the season of Christmas gives hope for. "Let us also reach out to one another irrespective of religion, caste and region and spread communal harmony and unity in the country," he said.
Further, Acharya also called upon the people to pray for permanent peace and brotherhood and also hoped that the Almighty blesses Nagaland with peace and prosperity.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Chotisuh Sazo in his greeting at the service called upon the congregation to exercise the feeling of oneness and also put a collective effort to build a better society.
Rev. Khrotso Mero, Athono Rhakho and Zhopota Rhakho shared messages on “Glory to God in the Highest,” “They presented gifts to Him; gold, frankincense and myrrh” and “Let it be according to your word,” respectively.
Praise through songs, solo, prayer and feast marked the celebration.
JSS celebrates Christmas & 93rd birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Dimapur: Janjati Shiksha Samiti (Vidya Bharati), Nagaland celebrated Christmas and 93rd birthday of ex-Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 24 in the premises of VB Infants Digital Home Class Hall at Kevijau Village of Dimapur. Organisation Secretary Pankaj Sinha in the Christmas greeting wished to the people of Nagaland that “Jesus will guide us for better health and bright future under the constructive development of Nagaland.” He also highlighted the life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying that he was a simple but great patriot, poet, literature, political leader, speaker and sociable great person of the country.
Diocese of Kohima celebrates Christmas with midnight Vigil Mass
Kohima (MExN): The diocese of Kohima with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as main celebrant celebrated Christmas with midnight Vigil Mass on December 24 at Holy Cross, Dimapur and Day Mass at the Cathedral Church, Kohima on December 25.
A press note sated that Bishop’s reflection this year centered around giving place for Jesus in one’s life. “Today forces for good and evil are in mortal conflict everywhere and around us. Practically every one of us feels the pain, the struggle, the effect,” said the Bishop. “The enormity and magnitude of human miseries - caused by hunger and disease due to exploitation, murderous rape, terrorist attacks, and exploitation of the poor for profit by the rich and cold blooded ethnic violence and cleansing, some in the name of God and religion - disturbs and pains us all beyond measure.”
Saying that every Christian believes that Jesus became incarnated to liberate humanity from being drowned in the miseries of this world, the Bishop added, Jesus became incarnated so that humans may have life and have it in abundance. “May Jesus - the Greatest Force for Good lead us to the year 2017! Let us be led by Jesus, the force for good and not the forces of evil, veiled in comforts and pleasures, wealth and money, easy going and double dealing, division and deviations, etc,” he wished.
