Christmas Joy Fills Hubballi as Twin Cities Glow with Lights
Christmas Joy Fills Hubballi as Twin Cities Glow with Lights
Faithful in Hubballi celebrate Christmas with Mass, carols and festive lights, as households and shops join in the spirit across the twin cities.
Members of the Christian community — Catholics and Protestants — celebrated Christmas with religious fervour by attending Mass at a range of churches across Hubballi and the surrounding area. The Hebich Memorial Church, Church of All Saints, Holy Cross Church in Dharwad, Basel Mission Church, CSI Maier Memorial Church and other churches lit up as thousands gathered on December 25 for prayers, hymns and reflections. In the twin cities, streets were studded with star signs in front of homes and colourful lights illuminating localities, as the festive mood extended beyond the church walls. The week-long celebrations saw bakeries, shops and malls doing brisk business with cakes, puddings, chocolates and clothes, and residents embracing the joyous atmosphere that enveloped the city.
At CSI Maier Memorial Church in Hubballi, Rev. Sattyababu Samuel, Presbyter in charge, along with Rev. Raju Medgoppa and Rev. Moses Huggi, led the Christmas service. Bible readings were delivered by Isaac Putlar and Shobha Shotakki, and offertory prayers were followed by the distribution of prizes to church members who had excelled academically. The church choir lifted spirits with special Christmas hymns, and offerings were collected by the ushers as part of the rite of giving. Some Christian families also invited friends and acquaintances to join in the celebrations, while a few non-Christian families were welcomed with sweets and cakes as a gesture of goodwill.
Beyond the pews, the festive spirit permeated the city’s streets and shopping hubs. Restaurants and malls wore colorful décor with Christmas trees, while stores offered a range of gifts, clothes and seasonal treats. The atmosphere reflected a sense of community and generosity, underscoring the distinctive blend of tradition and modern celebration that marks Christmas in this region.
