Faithfuls celebrate a sombre Christmas, no mass gatherings

With all that going on around them, personally and otherwise, members of the community feel that the spirit this year is dulled. They feel there is a need to celebrate Christmas in a sombre manner to honour tradition and spirituality. Crowds at churches across the city were strictly regulated, with social distancing, mask usage, and sanitiser use being enforced. 

Pews were marked for a maximum of three people at a time. Attendance for mass in chapels was based either on a first-come-first-served basis or ticketed on the basis of parish size. 

“Our parish restricted the seating within the church so that the total number was controlled. Our pastors also served holy communion to people individually. This prevented a large crowd from gathering in the front. For elder members, pastors brought holy communion to their houses to ensure their safety,” said Maria Fernando, a teacher and resident of Perambur. 

Several churches cancelled their Christmas programmes like special gifting session with Santa for younger members of the parish and dance programmes and other social events. 

While other public Christmas hotspots like beaches were closed, malls in the city saw a good number of shoppers this year doing last-minute Christmas shopping. Many members of the community took to hosting smaller family dinners rather than visiting family and friends as usual. 

On the whole, the festive spirit reflected more in personal prayers and smaller gatherings rather than in mass outings and public functions. “We have personally lost so much due to the pandemic. Restrictions on travel and cancellation of several anticipated events dulled the mood for everyone. This year doesn’t feel the same but I told my family that Christmas is not for us but for Christ. So, we held a small celebration and prayer to maintain that the tradition,” said a resident of Perambur.