World celebrates Christmas

People across the world are celebrating Christmas - one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar, signifying the birth of Jesus.

However, for the second year in a row, there are smaller crowds at church services and other events because of the continuing coronavirus outbreak.

Celebrations are subdued, with travel restrictions imposed in several parts of the world.

In Sri Lanka, churches are restricting numbers at Christmas services, with many having opted for online services to avoid gatherings.

The main service, at the Basilica of Our Lady in Ragama, was performed by Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis offered a timeless message during a Christmas Eve Mass to a world upended by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mass was celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Issuing a special message for Christmas, the Archbishop says although the public is focused on gifts and festivities, Christmas is a time to remember the poor and the unfortunate.

Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem and was laid in a manger and therefore this is a time to remember those facing hardship, he says.

In a Christmas message, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says Christmas is a noble religious feast that rejoices, bringing love and peace not only for Christians in Sri Lanka and across the world, but for all mankind.

The spiritual essence of Christmas is the redemption of all by serving for the good of the society.

Christianity shows the way for a lifestyle of goodness liberated from the darkness of sin by eliminating misconceptions through noble teachings such as peace, kindness and love, he says.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says in a message to mark Christmas that God’s love and human dignity were a reliable foundation for a society that accepts humanity.