Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Dec 25, 2025 (BSS) - Christmas Day, commemorating the birthday of Jesus Christ, was celebrated today with religious fervor and festivity in various districts of the country, as well as elsewhere in the world.
 
Special prayers were offered at churches, which are illuminated for the occasion, while makeshift Christmas trees are set up at homes, churches and mission centres across the country to mark the Christmas Day, the largest religious festival of the Christian community.
 
Elderly people of the community, attired with the outfit of Santa Claus, usually have fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.
 
In Tangail, the Christmas Day was celebrated today in the district, particularly in Madhupur region, with great enthusiasm and various events.
 
The main celebration took place at the Jalchhatra Christ Dharmapalli Church in Madhupur this morning. At a special programme, Church President Pastor Nirjan Sim Song highlighted the life and humanitarian ideals of Jesus Christ. He called upon the devotees to practice self-purification and wished everyone a happy and peaceful life in the coming year.
 
Addressing the gathering, local religious leader Samnom Nakret urged the Christian community to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ by living with mutual love, compassion and peaceful coexistence. After the congregational prayers, devotees performed hymns and congregational music in praise of Jesus.
 
On the occasion of Christmas, churches, shrines and Christian households across the area were decorated with colourful lights and ornaments. 

Traditional Pitha festivals were also organised in several villages, including Mominpur, Jalchhatra, Idilpur, Pirgachha, Sainamari and Dharati in Madhupur.
 
Earlier on Wednesday night, Christmas Day celebrations began with cake-cutting ceremonies at various places of worship, including Jalchhatra Christ Deh Dharmapalli in the Madhupur Garh area and Pirgachha Saint Paul Dharmapalli in Uttar Mominpur. Following the ceremonies, men, women, children and teenagers visited houses in groups, performing kirtan as part of the festive celebrations.

The peaceful and joyous observance of Christmas reflected the spirit of harmony and devotion among the Christian community in the region.
 
In Sunamganj, Christmas, the principal religious festival of the Christian community, was celebrated in a festive and peaceful atmosphere across the district on Wednesday and Thursday.
 
The festival was observed in at least 25 churches in the district town and its surrounding upazilas. 
 
Churches were decorated and special arrangements were made to mark the occasion. Law enforcement agencies took additional security measures to ensure smooth and safe celebrations.
 
Dennis Chakraborty, general secretary of the Sunamganj Press and Broadcasting Charge, said the Christmas celebrations began at midnight on December 24. He added that December 25 was marked with day-long prayer sessions, Bible readings, cake cutting, and kirtan in churches across the district.

A special prayer was held at 8:00 pm on December 24 at Saint Thomas Church in the Saint Thomas Catholic Religious Village at Narayantala, a border area of Sunamganj. Another prayer took place at the same time on December 25, attended by around 400 Catholic Christians.
 
Father Walter Rosario led theprayer, while several dignitaries were present, including Sunamganj Land Officer Aditya Pal, Headmaster Father Saroj Gomez, Jahangir Nagar Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rashid, and human rights activist Muhammad Aminul Haque.
 
Members of the Christian community, including missionaries, celebrated Christmas with great enthusiasm in border villages such as Uttar Narayantala, Puratan Gudigaon, Kathalbari, and Paschim Kona Para.
 
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Hasan Russell said adequate security arrangements had been made in advance, with police deployed in and around church areas to maintain law and order during the celebrations.
 
In Bandarban, the biggest religious festival of Christians "Merry Christmas" was celebrated in the hilly district with various arrangements and religious fervor. 
 
On the occasion, Christians have been busy praying and participating in various joyful events since the morning.
 
This biggest religious festival of the Christian community officially began with a special prayer at 12:01 am on December 25.
 
A joint prayer was organized at the Baptist Church and Fatima Rani Dharmapalli Catholic Church in Bandarban district headquarters from Thursday morning.
 
Christian children, women and men participated and offered special prayers for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the coming days. At the same time, they wished for a happy and peaceful life in the upcoming New Year through self-purification.
 
The congregational prayer was led by Father Suman Pitar Kosta, CSC, Assistant Pastor of Bandarban Fatima Rani Dharmapalli Catholic Church.
 
There was a festive atmosphere in the churches surrounding the religious festival, which highlighted a unique example of communal harmony and coexistence in Bandarban.
 
In Magura, the day was celebrated in the district today with prayer, devotion, and messages of peace and harmony.
 
From early Thursday morning, churches across the district observed the day through special religious rituals, prayers, Bible recitations, and hymns marking the birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ. 

A festive atmosphere prevailed in church premises as devotees gathered in large numbers to participate in the celebrations.
 
All churches in the district were decorated colorfully for the occasion. Christmas trees adorned with bright lights added to the festive mood, while hymns echoed throughout the churches from the early hours of the day.
 
At the Saha Para Christian place of worship in the New Market area of Magura town, special prayer sessions were organized. Continuous programs of hymns, Bible readings, and prayers for peace were held throughout the morning. 

Religious leaders highlighted the teachings of Jesus Christ, saying that He came to the world to free humanity from sin and darkness and to guide people toward the path of light and salvation.

The spirit of Christmas was also reflected in Christian households across the district. Families celebrated the day by sharing traditional food, exchanging greetings, and spending time together in family gatherings.
 
Besides, the Christmas Day commemorating the Birthday of Jesus Christ was celebrated today with religious fervour and festivity in different districts including Sherpur, Barguna, Natore, Rajshahi, Jhenaidah, Rangamati and others districts of the country.