Christmas Day being marked today; PM and President extend best wishes

Kathmandu / Dec 25: The Christian communities are celebrating the Christmas Day today to mark the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was born to Lady Maryam and the angel forecasted the birth of Jesus for the rescue of human beings.

They have a belief that Jesus sacrificed himself to liberate people from injustice, excesses and discrimination.

As per the tradition on December 25 every year Christians offer prayers and adoration to Jesus after drinking grape juice and cutting cakes.

Nepali Christians are also marking the festival with much fanfare and organizing of a variety of activities across the country.

General Secretary of National Christian Federation CB Gahatraj said that Nepali Christians too have started celebrating Christmas as a national festival after Nepal was declared secular state after the People’s Movement-II.

“Christmas was celebrated in Nepal more than 400 years ago. There are 8,500 churches and more than three million Christians in Nepal,” he said.

Special celebrations are held at Thamel, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and other cities on Christmas Day. Colourfully decorated Christmas trees and other decorations are made at shopping malls and in the streets on the occasion. The government has been giving public holiday every year since 2007 on the Christmas Day.

President’s Christmas Day message

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has wished that Christmas, the great festival of the Christians, inspired all to build a peaceful and prosperous Nepal by promoting fraternity, love and unity among the Nepalis.

In a message given on the occasion of Christmas today, she extended hearty best wishes to all the Christian Nepalis within the country and abroad for their happiness, peace, prosperity, good health, mutual goodwill, unity, brotherhood and continued progress.

“May the Christmas give inspiration to build a prosperous Nepal in the same way we are united in celebrating this festival,” the President stated in the message.

The festivals that are observed in our country, which is rich in religious and cultural diversity, have been making important contribution to maintaining social unity, harmony and religious tolerance by providing the opportunity for social and family get-together and exchanging happiness and exuberance. It is our collective responsibility to make the unity and goodwill that is fostered on such occasions sustainable and stronger, the President’s message further reads.

PM extends greetings on Christmas

Similarly, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today extended best wishes on the occasion of Christmas all the Nepalis Christians in and outside of the country.

In a press statement released by Prime Minister, PM Dahal wished for the happiness, peace and prosperity of all Christian communities.

The statement further expresses the government’s anticipation from the Christian community in the country for their strong support and cooperation to implement new constitution and push economic agendas.

“I would like to reiterate the fact that the government is effortful to forge national unity by establishing the identity, sense of belonging and rights of communities of all caste, communities and religion,” reads the statement.

PM Dahal, in his message, has pressed for enforcing new national statute, forwarding economic agendas on the strength of the national unity among public of all territory, religion, language and culture.

The message also acknowledges festival as Christmas as an important component to help build national unity, mutual goodwill and unique culture. RSS