Most churches now broadcast live Christmas carols and other Christmas programs, which they say have received a good response from members.
Every year, this is the time when churches are buzzing with activity: be it the Christmas tree installation, church choirs practicing carols, rehearsals for the play, or decorating. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing party pooper, churches have also had to rely on the internet to bring people together and observe the Christmas festivities.
Door-to-door carols, adopted by most churches, see members form groups and visit the homes of other church members to sing Christmas carols. For many, this is an essential part of the holiday celebration. This year, however, several churches in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad have put Christmas carol programs online.
Christmas carols from St. Anthony’s church, Venkatapuram
No carols door to door
The Church of Saint Anthony in Venkatapuram canceled the Christmas tree celebrations, as well as the door-to-door carols held every year for different age groups in the church, due to the pandemic. The Roman Catholic Church has about 400 families as members.
Speaking to TNM, Reverend Father M Arogyam, the pastor, said: “We did not have door-to-door carols this year. Instead, on Sunday, we had an online carol service. We asked everyone to record their part and send it to us. Then we put it all together and posted it online at 4pm yesterday. “
Uniting churches in all cities
Although elaborate celebrations have been toned down in many churches, as in many others, churches are also adapting to the digital medium to observe the festivities. Several of them are live streaming shows on social media.
The Bangalore Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, for example, has decided to organize an online Christmas and New Year social program. The program will see Orthodox churches not only in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, but also in the Gulf region, participate in the carol program.
Speaking about the initiative, Rev. Father Lijo Joseph, Vice President of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of the Hyderabad region (MGOCSM) and the Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM), said: “Christmas is the time of a new hope . Also in this pandemic, we hope that Christmas carols instill in us a sense of hope that these difficult times will pass. “
Hyderabad Malankara Youth Orthodox Church Christmas Carols
“Every year, individual parishes or parishes in the same region would organize Christmas carols. This year, the pandemic has forced us to put Christmas carols online. But on the bright side, it has provided a platform for many more churches to join. The Christmas and New Year social program that is being organized will see young people from around 23 churches in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and the Gulf come together to sing Christmas carols, ”added Father Lijo.
Well-received online programs
The Christmas Tree program that is organized every year for the children of Holy Trinity Church in Begumpet also took place online last Sunday. According to the Reverend Father Raju Alex, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, more than 900 people were watching the live broadcast of the program on Facebook.
He said: “The Christmas carol show was streamed online on Saturday and the Christmas tree show was streamed on Facebook on Sunday. From Sunday mass, meetings, prayers and now Christmas carols, now everything is online and people have received it very well. They have graciously accepted the seriousness of the situation and have taken the online option. “
Christmas carols in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Begumpet
Rev. Father Raju feels that online services have increased people’s spirituality. “Today, people prepare in advance, dress up like going to church, light candles and attend mass online. We remind you that you attend Mass as celebrant. The best part about mass online is that you can sit together as a family and attend mass. Despite all these advantages, some people tell us that they miss attending church and that they hope to return soon and pray as a congregation.
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