AMRITSAR: More than 600 voices of Christians from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu-Kashmir, rose in unison to celebrate God’s boundless love and the blessings that flow from it during ‘Barkat Ki Baarish’, a devotional event organized by the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India, at St Paul’s Church, Court Road, Amritsar, ahead of Christmas.
Themed ‘Festival of Love’, the event was organized in collaboration with the Blessed Choir of St Paul’s Church, Amritsar, to spread the message of peace, hope, love, and joy. It witnessed the enthusiastic participation of a total of 14 choirs from the churches of the diocese across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu-Kashmir.
Meanwhile, all heads bowed reverently as the presbyters of the diocese, led by Rev Vinay Sunny, Presbyter-in-charge, St Paul’s Church, Court Road, Amritsar, prayed for the peace and well-being of the nation, it’s leaders and people. Mr Rahul Rex Kaul, Secretary, Diocese of Amritsar, CNI, accorded a warm welcome to the guests.
“As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I am thrilled to share the message of God's boundless love. God sent us His love in the form of His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Christmas, over 2000 years ago. May His love inspire us to be beacons of hope, compassion, and peace, shining brightly in our communities and beyond, ” said The Right Reverend Manoj Charan, Bishop, Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India.
Mr Alwan Masih, Convenor, Barkat Ki Baarish, enlightened the gathering about the historical and cultural significance of the Christmas carols. “Carols were once essentially pagan songs sung by various tribes to honour the seasons. They began to be associated with Christmas around the third or fourth centuries, ” he said.