Christians fill churches on Christmas

Dubai: Thousands of faithful turned out in their numbers on Thursday night across the emirate to celebrate one of the most important events in the Christian calender, Christmas.

Despite chilly conditions of less than 14C prevailing across the country, Christians of various denominations thronged their respective places of worship for special midnight services.

At the Dubai based King's Revival International Ministries Church's compound, there was hardly any parking space left at 7pm, for a worship service that started at 10pm. Adults and children dressed in their best outfits, started streaming early in order to secure seats.

At 10pm, the Holy Communion service started with Christmas Carols hymns led by worship leader Brother Royston, and people temporarily put aside their worldly cares and got absorbed in the songs that have over the years reigned supreme during the festive season. These include, "Silent Night, Holy Night" and the crowd's favourite "Long time ago in Bethlehem."

The Christmas message was delivered by Senior Overseeing Pastor of King's Revival International Ministries, Reverend Dr V. Dilkumar who stressed on the importance of love, truth and obedience in Christ Jesus.

"As we mark the birth of Jesus, let's invite him and make our hearts his mainstay. In whatever we do, whether in public or private, let it reflect our true discipleship in Him," Reverend Dilkumar said, in his short homily to the faithful in attendance.

Prayer for the UAE

The pastor also took the opportunity to pray for the UAE leadership and once again extolled the country's rulers for their wise leadership and for promoting a culture of religious tolerance.

At the Saint Mary's Catholic Church, it was another spectacle as thousands of faithful turned in droves for the night Christmas mass.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Steven Das, a staunch Catholic.

"I attended the mass last year but this year's turnout is overwhelming. I believe with the turmoil going on in the world in areas of finance, terror, war and poverty, many people have seen it wise to turn to religion for answers to life's challenges," he added. Brian Keller from Australia echoed the same sentiments: "There's no safer place to run to now, except to God. After all has been said and done, peace of heart and mind can only be achieved when we realise that this world is not our home," Keller said, adding "there's a big lesson to learn form the challenges that we're going through today. I think they're for the better."

St Mary's Catholic Church started with carol singing at 11.30pm then proceeded with the Solemn High Mass at 12 midnight.

Similarly, the Dubai Mar Thoma Church in Jebel Ali, hosted its Christmas Holy Communion and Christmas Carols Wednesday night.

Elsewhere, the Trinity Church held its midnight Eucharist at 11pm.

Friday's services

Friday, the church holds its Boxing Day (feast of Saint Stephen) service. The morning mass services start at 6am, 7.15am, 9am, and 10.15am. Arabic mass is scheduled for 11.30am and Tagalog 12.30pm. Later in the day, mass is scheduled for 3.30pm, 4.45pm, 6.15pm and Arabic at 8pm.

In Abu Dhabi, St Joseph's Cathedral held its mass at 8pm, followed by carol singing at 11pm and capped it all with a Midnight high mass.

In Jebel Ali, St Francis of Assisi Church, started with its carol singing service, Syro Malankara and finally Malayalam mass at 12pm.