Special prayers across Meghalaya, bakeries make brisk biz in Pine City

Shillong: Midnight services in churches heralded the birth of Jesus Christ, the ‘Prince of Peace’, across Christian-majority Meghalaya, as hymns rendered the atmosphere solemn and joyous.Led by dressed-up Santa Clauses and ‘fairies’, coral groups of various churches went through the streets of the state, singing hymns throughout the day, announcing the ‘good message’ of Christ’s advent on Christmas eve. Thousands of faithful took part in special prayer sessions and midnight masses conducted in the numerous churches across the state.The Pine City, where Christmas trees are for real, is all decked up for the festive season. Both govt and private buildings and street corners have been illuminated and decorated with Christmas trees, banners and festoons.Individual artistes and gospel bands have been enthralling the crowds with traditional Christmas songs such as ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Oh Holy Night’ and ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’.Hectic last minute shopping and night-long concerts marked Christmas eve. The commercial hubs of Police Bazar (Khyndailad), Iewduh (Barabazar) and residential-cum-commercial localities of Laitumkhrah, Laban, Polo, Rynjah were crowded with people buying clothes, foodstuff and other festive fares. People flocked to bakeries around the city selling cakes of various flavours.Known for attractive illumination during Christmas and New Year, the Garo Hills too is abuzz with festivity.Governor CH Vijayashankar and CM Conrad K Sangma extended Christmas greetings to the people of the state.Meanwhile a special prayer session was organised at the Ramakrishna Mission here to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.