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Christians begin advent period with prayers, fasting

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The Christmas celebrations begins with Advent, four sundays leading to Christmas and at the onset of Advent, Christians begin their prayers and fasting in the run upto Christmas. For Christians this is a very crucial period as it marks the official beginning of the church year. Special mass and prayer services are held during this period.

Advent, in Latin means 'coming towards' reminding Christians that Jesus came into the world or humanity and this day is celebrated as Christmas. "This is the period when we are waiting in anticipation for the festival that will brigten up humanity and for that we indulge in different prayers and special services. Every sunday, leading towards Christmas is marked with a lot of special prayer services at home and in the church. The last week leading to the day when Jesus was born is when we start putting up the tree and crib, also when christmas carols are also sung in the spirit of the rising expectations," says Wilson Gonsalvis, a local resident.

"As this is the period when we have to prepare ourselves for Christmas, we start by putting up wreaths and candles. Four candles are usually lit up signifying every Sunday of the advent season that leads upto Christmas. As we wait for Christmas, all the baking, decorations and shopping can make us very excited and hence we indulge in prayers to keep ourselves grounded," says Dipti D'souza, resident of Airoli.

Just like Lent, it is a special four week period of reflection, this period of waiting is also spent by fasting. "Many people let go off non veg or any other regular habit, many also take up eating only a certain type of food and hence it is considered as a time for fasting. AS the celebrations that follow extends upto the New year, many prefer fasting and prayers help them to keep calm and not increase the anticipation," adds Gonsalves.

Churches in Navi Mumbai have kept special masses during the mornings and on Sundays there are prayer services through the day. While youngsters have started preparations for Christmas goodies and decorations, others are busy fasting and attending prayer services. Twenty year old,Cherryl Lobo, says, "During Advent, we ensure to attend prayer services in church and also be a part of all the celebrations if not at other times."

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