KARACHI, Dec 23: The members of the Christian community will begin their festivities to celebrate Christmas— the annual festival of Christ’s birth—with the Midnight Mass on Monday night.

The customary midnight masses and services are scheduled to be held in all the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches of the city.

The main congregation of the midnight service for the Roman Catholic community members will be held at the St Patrick’s Cathedral in Saddar.

The bilingual service in English and Urdu languages will be led by Bishop Evarist Pinto and Fr Joe D’ Mello. A big function - Night Vigil - is also being organised for the community members on the cathedral grounds on Dec 24 at 11.45 pm

On the Christmas Day (Dec 25) the morning masses will be held at 8 am and 9.30 am at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The main congregation of the midnight mass for the Protestant Christians is being organised at the Holy Trinity Cathedral near the governor’s house on the night of Dec 24.

The ceremony begins with carols by the candlelight on Dec 24 at 10 pm. The joint holy communion in English language with the members of the St Andrew’s Church will be held at 10.30 p.m, while holy communion in Urdu will be held at 11.45 pm.

On the Christmas Day (Dec 25) the holy communion in English language will be held at 9.30 am and the communion in Urdu will be held at 11 am. The service in English language will be led by Rev Sadiq Daniel and in Urdu by Rev Wilson Nazim.

The midnight service at the Central Brooks Memorial Church (Church of Pakistan) on Garden Road will be held on Dec 24 at 10.30 pm. Rev Sardar Masih will lead the prayers. The Christmas service will be held on Dec 25 at 9.30 am.

A Christmas tree function was organised by secretary of the church, Emmanuel Bashir, at the church on Dec 21, where a person attired in the Christmas father’s costume distributed gifts among the participants, especially children.