Germany's weather service issued warnings for six states, adding that heavy rain will continue until Christmas Day. 100-150 liters per square meter could come down in a period of 48 to 96 hours in some areas. Recent heavy rainfall across Germany has increased the risk of flooding in several states, authorities said on Sunday. The German weather service (DWD) issued warnings for Saxony in the east and Lower Saxony in the northwest, as well as Bavaria in the southeast and Hesse, North-Rhine Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in the west. It said that the persistent rain will continue until Christmas Day. The DWD added that 100-150 liters of rain per square meter could come down in a period of 48 to 96 hours in some areas. Germany was also struck by major flooding in June. Where were flooding alerts issued? The third-highest of four warning levels was reached at 30 measuring stations early on Sunday in Lower Saxony. The threshold was exceeded in several rivers, including the Weser, Aller, Leine and Oker. Emergency services secured transformer stations in the Rodenberg district east of Hanover, Germany's DPA news agency reported. Rodenberg mayor Thomas Wolf said that water was flowing over an anti-flooding barrier and that the municipality had not seen comparable flooding in 25 years. The eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt's flood forecasting center issued warnings for the Mulde, Aller and Havel rivers. Alert 3 was reached in parts of the southeastern state of Saxony, including in the city of Chemnitz. In the Ruhr Valley area, which includes the cities of Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, and Bochum, heavy rain caused disruption on rail lines. On Saturday, in a flooded suburb of Münster in North-Rhine Westphalia, firefighters rescued a woman who was trapped in her car.

Tomorrow (Dec 25) is Christmas Day, the birthday of Jesus Christ, Jewish preacher and religious leader of the first-century.   The Christians of different groups in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world will celebrate the day amid festivity and religious fervor.   They will celebrate the day by offering special prayers, illuminating churches and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship as well as missions across the country.   Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually have fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.   The day is a public holiday.   In separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Christian community on the occasion.   They wished peace, welfare and prosperity to all citizens, including Christians.   President Shahabuddin, in his message, said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony as people of all religions have been practicing their religions and rituals independently in this country for long.   Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of building a non-communal Bangladesh, he urged all to work together to build a happy, prosperous and non-communal Smart Bangladesh.   About Jesus Christ's contribution to society, the head of the state said Jesus taught people to be in a peaceful position with love, compassion, forgiveness, affection, empathy and the establishment of justice.   "Instead of earthly life, Jesus Christ put emphasis on the importance of spiritual happiness through renunciation, restraint and charity," Shahabuddin opined.   The President thought that the teachings and ideals of Jesus Christ are very relevant in establishing peace and harmony in a trouble-torn world apart from establishing harmony and unity among nations.   Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, hoped that all will work together to build a 'Smart Bangladesh' in the current digital Bangladesh with the aim of building a hunger-poverty-free and non-communal 'Sonar Bangladesh', the lifelong dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Noting that religion belongs to the individuals, while festivals are for all, the Premier said: "In our constitution, equal rights of people of all religions and castes have been ensured ... The development of people of all classes, professions and communities is our main goal. To achieve this goal, we are working to ensure a dignified and safe life for the people of all communities."   Sheikh Hasina said Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem on this day and one of his vows was to establish a society free from exploitation by establishing justice and peace in the world.   The great Jesus, she mentioned, scarified himself for the poor and starving people, while his ideal lifestyle and strict characteristics still remain immortal in human history.   Greeting the countrymen, specially the Christians, on this occasion, the Premier wished all citizens' peace, welfare and prosperity.   On the holy day, churches in the capital will be illuminated while Christmas trees will be set up and candles lit at homes and churches by the Christian community to celebrate the event amid religious fervour.   According to tradition, Santa Claus will distribute sweets and gifts among children in churches on the occasion. This is a 'great day' for children in the Christian community, who sing carols on the occasion in praise of Jesus Christ and God, and exchange gifts.   The national dailies will publish special articles highlighting the importance of Christmas.   Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private radio stations and TV channels will air special programmes marking the festival. Source: BSS

More than 700 workers from Airbus Atlantic in France suffered vomiting or diarrhea since the dinner event near the northwestern city of Nantes last week. France's ARS health agency has launched an investigation after hundreds of staff working for Airbus Atlantic fell ill in a mass food poisoning at a Christmas dinner. The agency said more than 700 people who attended the dinner event showed "clinical signs of vomiting or diarrhea."   ARS did not say what was on the menu at the dinner on December 14 at the company's offices in Montoir-de-Bretagne, near the northwestern city of Nantes. The workers fell sick over the next two days, according to the agency, but no one was hospitalized. According to local media, the workers were given a questionnaire to complete online to report their symptoms.   Some workers speculated on social media that the Rocamadour cheese, made from goat milk, may have been to blame. However, no official information on the cause was immediately provided. The company restaurant was busier than usual that day as staff wanted to enjoy the Christmas-themed meal, local media reported. Airbus Atlantic is a subsidiary of the European aerospace group Airbus and employs 15,000 people in five countries. The airplane maker employs 134,000 people worldwide.

Buckingham Palace released an image of the Christmas card that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be sending out this year. The card features a photograph taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace following the King’s coronation on May 6 this year, Buckingham Palace said. King Charles is wearing a robe made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold, which was worn by King George VI in 1937, according to the palace. Queen Camilla is wearing a white robe designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, the palace said. The card is the second of its kind to be released by the palace since the start of the King’s reign and the first to feature King Charles as king. The 2022 Christmas card featured a photo of him, when he was still the Prince of Wales, and his wife at the Braemar Games in Scotland on September 3, five days before Queen Elizabeth II died. The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared a Christmas photo of their family, which features on their Christmas card. It shows the Prince and Princess with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Windsor. Source: CNN

Christmas carols, both western and local compositions penned by the region's composers and spiritualists, were sung by the congregation during church services and fellowships on December 24, kicking off Christmas celebrations in the region. Prayers, hymns, carols, and Christmas trees dotting the city scape in the entire Northeast region have brought back the festive mood as the year comes to an end. Traditional mass community feasts, regional delicacies to Christmas revelry, the region is celebrating the birth of Lord Jesus in its traditional flavor. Mangers depicting nativity scenes where Mother Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus sleeping on a makeshift crib surrounded by animals have been put up at every nook and corner of the region is bringing in huge crowd from all faith to celebrate the festival. Christmas carols, both western and local compositions penned by the region's composers and spiritualists, were sung by the congregation during church services and fellowships on December 24, kicking off Christmas celebrations in the region. Dressed in their best attire, revellers have already descended onto the streets in vast numbers to join the late-night crowds and partake in the festivities. With vibrant decorations, Christmas tree setups, and illuminations created by revellers, the region is brimming with an enthusiastic holiday mood infused with traditional passion. In the majority of the region, on Sunday, after church services, community prayers, and other traditions, it is time for a lavish feast that will last until the New Year. During Christmas, the rural residents of the majority of the Northeast's remote communities participate in communal feasts. Celebrations began at the stroke of 12 midnight after bells rung in the Churches indicating the birth of Lord Jesus. Source: India TodayNE

Christmas celebrated across India's northeast region with special prayers, hymns, and masses in churches, besides the traditional spread of delicious food. Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states - Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The celebrations began from Thursday night with church services and fellowships where the congregation sang Christmas carols - both western and local songs, composed by the local spiritualists and composers. Police officials Mizoram capital Aizawl said the Christmas eve celebrations on Thursday night were completely peaceful and incident free. "Adequate security arrangements have been made in Aizawl, its outskirts and other parts of the state to hold the festivity peacefully," a senior police official said. The traditional festive spirit was evident everywhere at the capital town and other places of Mizoram as the colourful decorations and illuminations were made by the revellers. Praise and worship services marked the Christmas and community feasts would be held Friday and Saturday in most of the villages and localities of the urban areas. The festive spirit has also gripped the plains, hills and valleys of Christians dominated state Nagaland as Christmas celebrations started with the stroke of midnight when church bells rang, signalling the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches, private and government buildings, schools, markets and homes have been decked up and illuminated in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung and several other towns and villages of predominantly Christian state. Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang appealed the people to forgive and learn from the wrongs of the past, and to steer the destiny of the Naga people to a better future Shoppers have been thronging markets for the last few days, while people staying elsewhere and students pursuing academic careers in other states have returned their hearths and homes join the festivities. In Meghalaya, besides decoration of churches, homes and streets putting up Christmas trees with beautiful bells and lights while lighting the streets are the major parts of celebration. Various state governments in the region have announced holidays for several days to enable the people to join Christmas celebrations. Governors and chief ministers of the northeastern states have wished the people on the occasion. Churches in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya play a very significant role in the life and culture of the northeastern states. "Christianity is the harbinger of modernity as well as women's liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries, therefore, are regarded as a symbol of modernisation, leading to gradual changes in the conservative attitude of men towards women," a Church head Zosangliana Colney told reporters in Aizawl. "In a reciprocal gesture, Tripura government has been supplying 40 MWelectricity to Mizoram to help the state to meet their additional power requirements on the occasion of the Christmas," Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey told IANS. He said during the Durga Puja, Mizoram and Meghalaya provided electricity to Tripura to meet its additional requirement of power. Non-Christians are also participating in the celebrations and feasts organised by various Christian organisationsChristmas was celebrated today across India's northeast region with special prayers, hymns, and masses in churches, besides the traditional spread of delicious food. Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states - Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The celebrations began from Thursday night with church services and fellowships where the congregation sang Christmas carols - both western and local songs, composed by the local spiritualists and composers. Police officials Mizoram capital Aizawl said the Christmas eve celebrations on Thursday night were completely peaceful and incident free. "Adequate security arrangements have been made in Aizawl, its outskirts and other parts of the state to hold the festivity peacefully," a senior police official said. The traditional festive spirit was evident everywhere at the capital town and other places of Mizoram as the colourful decorations and illuminations were made by the revellers. Praise and worship services marked the Christmas and community feasts would be held Friday and Saturday in most of the villages and localities of the urban areas. The festive spirit has also gripped the plains, hills and valleys of Christians dominated state Nagaland as Christmas celebrations started with the stroke of midnight when church bells rang, signalling the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches, private and government buildings, schools, markets and homes have been decked up and illuminated in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung and several other towns and villages of predominantly Christian state. Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang appealed the people to forgive and learn from the wrongs of the past, and to steer the destiny of the Naga people to a better future Shoppers have been thronging markets for the last few days, while people staying elsewhere and students pursuing academic careers in other states have returned their hearths and homes join the festivities. In Meghalaya, besides decoration of churches, homes and streets putting up Christmas trees with beautiful bells and lights while lighting the streets are the major parts of celebration. Various state governments in the region have announced holidays for several days to enable the people to join Christmas celebrations. Governors and chief ministers of the northeastern states have wished the people on the occasion. Churches in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya play a very significant role in the life and culture of the northeastern states. "Christianity is the harbinger of modernity as well as women's liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries, therefore, are regarded as a symbol of modernisation, leading to gradual changes in the conservative attitude of men towards women," a Church head Zosangliana Colney told reporters in Aizawl. "In a reciprocal gesture, Tripura government has been supplying 40 MWelectricity to Mizoram to help the state to meet their additional power requirements on the occasion of the Christmas," Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey told IANS. He said during the Durga Puja, Mizoram and Meghalaya provided electricity to Tripura to meet its additional requirement of power. Non-Christians are also participating in the celebrations and feasts organised by various Christian organisations. Source: NDTV

Sounds of church bells, Christmas carolling and bonfires with youths sitting around and strumming the guitar strings and humming Steve Wonder’s popular song “someday at Christmas,” and the popular Christmas song, jingle bells at various locales braving the wintry chill would be the closest to a picture-perfect description of the mood at this time of the year in most part of India’s North East states. For the first timer visitor, “this is but paradise, something you cannot find anywhere else,” and for many others that study and work outside it’s a home coming ever so nostalgic. Simply put, it’s Christmas time and all over North East, everyone cutting across all religious groups wait patiently to join the celebrations without any prejudice. Even the services at  various churches which no doubt has more believers and followers of the Christian faith, yet it also attracts many others from different religions in large numbers to be part of either the midnight mass on December 24 or a service the day after. The emotion is palpable among those who are returning home after a gap of a few years. This as they witnessed the “same fervor and bonhomie” among different communities at different places. “It is was really pleasing to see people from other faiths joining in Christmas carols with their own musical instruments,” said Benjamin, who was on a visit Dawki on Saturday with a friend from Delhi.” Similar experiences were narrated by people from other cities like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Aizawl and Dimapur. The state authorities of the different states ensured that at every layer of governance, upto to the sub-division and village level, people could celebrate the festival peacefully and with a sense of belonging. The celebrations and the way people rejoice together in these parts and also all over India assumes great significance especially as it continues to challenge narratives and fear of a systematic persecution of religious minorities. Reactions from a cross section of people helps to put the celebrations in the right perspective. Editor of the Meghalaya Monitor, E M Jose is of the opinion that “during Christmas time people come together and there are no problems.” “Small issues that may exist is overcome and that’s how it should be,” he added. “It was a fearless celebration,” exhorted Riewad Vicharwant Warjri (Rudy Warjri), former Ambassador of India Peru, High Commissioner to the Sultanate of Brunei & Ambassador to Colombia and worked in different diplomatic capacities abroad in Nairobi, Budapest, Colombo and New York. Nilesh Ekka, a resident of Delhi is of the opinion that everything is fine despite the cold weather, which has led to a slightly low-key atmosphere. However, he noted that the fact that people are still enjoying events like the North East festival indicates that there is a celebratory mood in country’s capital city. In the different states in the region, like Mizoram for instance, most cities and villages are turned musical with Christmas carols in every locality from December 22. “On the night of Christmas eve, we call it Urlawk zan, we went to church, followed by praise and worship. I liked it as others from different religious groups also joined us to gather around the bonfire singing gospel music,” said Lalremruati (25) from Lunglei in Mizoram. Further, dressed in their best on December 25 most people went to church and attended the Christmas service. The highlight though was the high tea and community meal where people from different groups mix and intermingle with families who have come home after a long time. In Imphal town, Christians who are mostly tribals celebrated with friends and family. Marina an outstation researcher who was visiting this part of the country for the first time had a delightful time as she witnessed “warmth and a strong boding between people from various backgrounds.” “In Imphal I saw people from different groups attend night services and waited for Christmas together, singing Christmas songs,” she added. For her and many others like Eloni Khwairakpam (28) of Imphal, “Christmas celebration is about togetherness, feasting, going for picnic, more like a family get together during the holiday season.” Spending Christmas anywhere in North east India is always special, particular so for people many of us who have grown up in the region. The bonding with the indigenous community  and with cities like Shillong, Aizawl, Guwahati, Kohima and even Dimapur makes it that much more emotive and a part of one’s life even though it cuts across various religious and ethnic spread. There can be no better way to describe this togetherness, which incidentally is also seen in many other states of India is the Bethlehem star hanging outside every house with Christmas trees of all varied sizes and shapes. We went for midnight mass and felt really nice to see how people celebrate Christmas here. People from other faith extend their best wishes and participate in prayer services and other religious prayers as well. It is encouraging how the government leaders have been extending wishes and also welcoming people to visit their state during the Christmas festival which is like a winter festival. Finally, what best sums up the “Indian or our way of celebrating Christmas,” is what Benjamin said, in that, “I have not seen this anywhere else in many parts of Asia where I spend time working. This actually reminded of my time spent on the streets of Vienna where everyone is enjoying and no one is discriminated.”  Source: The Border Lens

After a pause in festivities during the coronavirus pandemic, Bethlehem — revered as the birthplace of Jesus — is ready again for its long Christmas season. A steady flow of people proceed through the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, with smartphones in hand to capture every moment. Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the West Bank town. And, while most of the world celebrates Christmas once, here in Bethlehem — revered as the birthplace of Jesus — people celebrate the holiday three times. "We have the Armenians, the Latins, the Greek Orthodox. Everybody has their own calendar, so this makes the date of Christmas different," Franciscan Father Rami Asakrieh, the Catholic parish priest at the Church of the Nativity, told DW, referring to the three major denominations that share the church. "We happily celebrate Christmas for a very long period. We talk about two months of celebration." And this year, Rami said, it will be more joyful as visitors are back. "This feast is special. Because of the coronavirus, there were no pilgrims, Christmas was without people, it was only spiritual, without the festivities, without the joy and happiness that we feel in this holy city." Now, local and foreign visitors are back. Many take selfies in front of the tall, sparkly Christmas tree and the Nativity scene on Manger Square, just outside the church. Food stalls selling corn and cotton candy wait for customers on this mild and sunny December day. "We came from Michigan in the US, we are Iraqis. It's a very nice feeling to be here, it's a very nice atmosphere, this is a place where Jesus was born, and it's important that everybody can come to see and to visit," said Nawal, visiting as part of a group. Naimeh Ghassan, a young Palestinian, traveled from the center of the occupied West Bank to take pictures of the Christmas atmosphere. "The preparations in Bethlehem for Christmas are very nice, its just beautiful to be here," Ghassan told DW. Catholics kick off Christmas celebrations First in line for the celebrations are the Roman Catholics, also known as the Latins, together with the Protestant churches, who mark Christmas on December 24 and 25. They reference the Gregorian calendar that was created by Pope Gregory in the 16th century. On December 24, it is tradition that the Palestinian Scout troops' marching band accompanies the Latin patriarch from Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity, followed by a midnight Mass. Next up is the Greek Orthodox Church alongside the smaller Syriac Orthodox and Coptic churches on January 6 and 7. The Eastern Orthodox churches still use the Julian calendar, which was created during the reign of Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. Father Issa Thaljieh, the Greek Orthodox parish priest at the Church of the Nativity, said that during Christmas festivities, every congregation maintains its prayer times and rituals according to a strict "status quo." This set of rules determines the rights and duties of all denominations sharing the church — including procession times and cleaning rituals.  It's not always without tensions, but "when you live in Bethlehem, you have to live together. We live in Bethlehem as Christians and Muslims, and we live in the church as different Christian denominations," said the Bethlehem-born priest. What extends Christmas season the longest in Bethlehem is the fact that the Armenian community celebrates its Christmas on January 18 and 19. "We are the last ones to celebrate Christmas," said Superior Asbed Balian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, adding that the Armenians share altars with the smaller churches for the Christmas festivities.   But apart from the rituals and traditions, Father Asbed said that "we also have to remind ourselves what is the meaning of Christmas. That Christmas is also the time of thinking of others and sharing things together." Difficult year for Israeli-Palestinian conflict Many residents in town join the festivities, no matter their background. "For us it is kind of normal, I think we are just lucky to have so many Christmases," said Mirna Bannoura, who plays the drums with the Arab Orthodox Union Club Scout Group in Beit Sahour. As a young Orthodox Christian, her Christmas feast isn't until January. But she will join her Catholic friends to celebrate on December 24. "Without the Scouts, there is no Christmas. When people hear us, it just brings a smile to their faces," she said. This Christmas season wraps up a difficult year for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to the United Nations, 2022 is set to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the UN started tracking fatalities in 2005, with at least 140 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank killed. Meanwhile, Israel's Internal Security Agency says 31 Israelis were killed. When a Palestinian youth from a refugee camp in Bethlehem was recently killed during a raid by the Israeli army, the town's Christmas tree remained dark for one evening; restaurants and shops went on a general strike. "The situation here affects you, it can scar you," said Bannoura. "I feel that the Palestinian people are always looking for the one, small, happy dot to see a light in this whole black life we are sometimes living." And Christmas is one such happy occasion. For some families, it means the possibility for those who live in the West Bank to reunite with relatives and friends in Gaza's small Christian community. And for those in Gaza, Christmas represents their hope to be granted Israeli permits to allow visits to family in the West Bank, to which passage is usually restricted. This year, Israeli authorities issued about such 640 permits. However, 200 applications were rejected for "security reasons," according to an Israeli security official. Palestinians from Bethlehem and other West Bank cities are also waiting for Israeli permits to visit family, friends and holy sites in nearby Jerusalem — which is separated from Bethlehem by a controversial concrete separation barrier. Social activities to support the community Others people enjoy the many social activities around town this time of year, like games of bingo. At the Latin Church in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, the bingo evening is both a social event and an opportunity to raise funds for charities and to support less fortunate people in the community. "We play bingo because it is fun during these days, it's a change of routine. But it is also about support, for the Scouts, for the orphans, for charities," said Hiyam Yacoub, who came with friends and family. Instead of winning fancy prizes, people here go home with household items that will help them make it through the difficult economic situation: washing powder, dishwashing liquid or packets of tissues. Bethlehem, a city that ordinarily lives from tourism, has been hit hard in recent years by the COVID-19 pandemic and by the ongoing conflict. At the Church of Nativity, Father Issa, the Greek Orthodox parish priest, smiles at the long line of visitors waiting to enter the church's grotto. There, a silver star marks the place where Jesus is believed to have been born. "We have people from all over the world again coming to this church to see where exactly Jesus was born, and to feel the spirit of Christmas," said Father Issa, whose name in Arabic means "Jesus." "They want to see the star, they want to touch the walls, to pray and praise the Lord — because in Bethlehem, it's all about Christmas."

The 82-year-old World Cup veteran has been receiving treatment for cancer since having a tumor removed in late 2021. New health complications mean he will spend the holiday in the hospital. Brazilian soccer legend Pele will spend Christmas in the hospital after his health worsened during a visit to regulate his cancer medication. Doctors at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said on Wednesday that Pele requires "elevated care" related to kidney and cardiac dysfunction. "Our Christmas at home has been suspended," his daughter Kely Nascimento said on Instagram on Wednesday. "We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us. "We will even make some caipirinhas (not kidding!!)," she added. "We love you and we will give an update next week." The 82-year-old soccer player — widely considered to be one of the world's greatest — has been in the hospital since late November. Pele has been undergoing chemotherapy since having a tumor in his colon removed in September 2021. Brazilian national team honors a great Pele led Brazil to victory in the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups. He remains the national team's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Brazilian team held a banner on the pitch honoring Pele while fans also unfurled a giant banner that read: "Pele, get well soon." Following Argentina's victory against France on Sunday, Pele hailed performances from Argentinian squad leader Lionel Messi and France's rising star Kylian Mbappe, as well as semi-finalists Morocco. "Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way," he said in an Instagram post. "What a gift it was to watch this spectacle of the future of our sport.

The holy Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christian community, was celebrated today in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world with festivity and much enthusiasm commemorating the birthday of Jesus Christ.      Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ on the day, which is a public holiday in Bangladesh and most other countries across the world.      On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the members of the Christian community.      The head of the state, in his message, called upon all to work unitedly to build a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh, envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.      Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, called upon the people irrespective of religion, caste and creed to unite for building a happy-prosperous 'Sonar Bangla (Golden Bangladesh)', being imbued with spirit of the Great Liberation War.      They called upon the members of the Christians community to celebrate the holy day maintaining proper health guidelines.      The Christians in Bangladesh celebrated the Xmas festival with a huge enthusiasm and religious fervor by holding special prayers, illuminating churches and installing makeshift X-mas trees at homes and places of worship and missions.      Ringing of church bells in the midnight marked the advent of the day when the followers of the faith welcomed it with carols assembling in churches and other such venues.      Churches and adjoining areas were decked out with colorful tiny blinking lights, while illuminated Christmas trees placed with a star standing right on top as elder people of the community attired in the outfit of Santa Claus made fun with children and distributed gifts as part of a universal Christian practice.      The security was beefed up at different strategic points in the capital and many other places of the country to ensure peaceful celebration of the festival.      Special prayers were offered at the churches including St. Mary's Cathedral at Kakrail, Holy Rosary Church at Tejgaon and St. Christina's Catholic Church at Asad Ave in the city seeking divine blessings for the welfare, peace and prosperity of the country, its people and humanity as a whole.      Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze attended the special prayers in the early morning at Holy Rosary Church, once popularly called the Japmala Queen Church, at Tejgaon in the city. Source: BSS AH