ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Security concerns seem to have marred Christmas celebrations this year, which have become more of an indoor affair.

In Islamabad Christmas dinners are being held in private houses with festive invitations being distributed through the internet and Facebook.

The roads do not show such a festive atmosphere accept for a few pockets of Christian colonies that are colourfully lit.

In Serena hotel, the atmosphere was quite festive, however. A choir from Pakistan’s Christian Arts Council was at the hotel and livened up the place with Christmas carols. Seven boys and seven girls dressed in red cloaks and Santa hats stood in a line in front of a grand Christmas tree in the Serena hotel foyer and sang Christmas carols starting with ‘jingle bells’.

There were few people at the start, mainly family and friends of the group with a few children in the audience too. About half an hour later, the pace picked up and the foyer was getting fuller with some people standing by for a few minutes to admire the singing and some staying on longer.

To top off the up beat singing, Santa Claus also made an appearance. A jolly man dressed as Santa hopped in front of the choir and started passing wrapped gifts to children in the audience. Seeing that there were still gifts left after the children had been satisfied, the Santa also gave gifts to Serena staff.

During trying times in the peaceful capital, some low-key events gave both Christians and non-Christians a chance to celebrate and smile on this happy occasion.

APP: The Christian community will celebrate the Christmas with enthusiasm and religious fervour across the country on Thursday.

Mass services will be held at churches at midnight, where people will hold prayers. The morning services will also be held.

To mark the festival, Christians have decorated their homes and illuminated all the churches with colourful lights.

Various programmes like tableaus and carols have been prepared by different educational institutions to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

On this occasion, children go from house to house singing carols and in return, people offer something to the choir.

Mostly the money collected from such carols is used for charity works or is given to the church.

The evening is usually celebrated with family members or relatives where special food is enjoyed.

Another important ritual of the Christmas celebration is decorating Christmas trees to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas.

The Christmas trees at homes and churches are decked with different ornaments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of different shapes and sizes, pinecones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons made from glass, metal, wood and ceramic.