Kathmandu, December 24:

Christmas has been celebrated in the country for years, but the Christian community said today it has felt free to celebrate the festival this year after the country went through a political and cultural transformation.

With the spirit of unity and nationalism, the greatest festival of the Christians will be celebrated in the country tomorrow.

“In the past, we used to have certain fears while celebrating Christmas, but we are feeling free and full of gaiety and devotion,” said Pastor Simon Gurung, president of the National Council of Churches.

Christmas carols and prayers will be sung for peace and development of the nation, he said.

Christians across the country mark the birth of Lord Jesus Christ on the Christmas Day by participating in special masses organised in churches.

Shops, churches and homes are decorated and Santa Claus is seen distributing sweets and gifts in vans.

“We used to restrain ourselves and limit our celebration to certain groups, but now we feel liberated and are not afraid of mixing with the public,” said Pastor Sundar Thapa, president of the Christmas festival-2007 celebration committee.

The numbers of churchgoers has increased and so has our enthusiasm, Thapa further said.

The census of 2001 states that there are 104,181 Christians in the country, but the Christian intellectuals claim that their population is over one million.

However, the celebration of Christmas is not merely limited to the Christian community these days “Rituals are performed as ever. Moreover, people from diverse religious communities are enthusiastic towards Christmas celebrations. Most of all, the number of youths in Christmas functions is increasing,” Thapa said.

Along with the regular celebrations and rituals, the main celebration committee is conducting a special programme at the Birendra International Convention Centre tomorrow.

“Our acceptance is further proved by the fact that chief leaders of all the political parties, including the PM, have consented to take part in the historic function,” Thapa said, adding that it is a sign of religious tolerance and growing acceptance of Nepal as a secular state.