Christmas prayers at St. Joseph’s Church, Palayam

Apart from all the pomp and gaiety, perhaps, what makes Christmas special is the gentle night filled with an air of prayers and devotion.

The faithful gather to praise the birth of Jesus Christ, the great messiah of peace, and love.

Special Prayers
In Kerala, most of the churches conduct three Holy Masses on the day, starting with the first at midnight.

During the Pathira Kurbana or the Holy Midnight Mass, an image of Baby Jesus is ceremoniously taken out by the priest. Holding lighted candles rows of children follow him to the crib.

This video clip is an excerpt of the Holy Midnight Mass held at the St. Joseph’s church, popularly known as ‘Palayam Palli’, situated in the heart of the Thiruvananthapuram city.

Christmas Festivities
For the Keralite Christians, Christmas is an occasion of joy and family reunion.

In Kerala, Christmas is much more than a religious festival. Members of other communities too join the festivities, thanks to the cosmopolitan culture of the state.