Carols lighten up Christmas spirit in Kerala

With Christmas round the corner, Christians in Kerala are all set to welcome it by singing Christmas songs and carols in the churches.

By Juhan Samuel

Kochi, Dec 15 : With Christmas round the corner, Christians in Kerala are all set to welcome it by singing Christmas songs and carols in the churches.

An ecumenical Christmas carols by including all the churches in the city was held at the Durbar Hall in Kochi. Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) have been organising such carol concerts during Christmas every year in order to promote church choirs.

"This time, around eight churches came forward with their coir groups," said Valsa Oomen, President of the YWCA, Ernakulam wing. The group, consisting of 20 to 30, includeing men and women members attended the carols by singing hymns and various Christian songs in their local language Malayalam and English. There was a one month practice to all the participants who attend the carols.Singers from different age groups were the main attraction of the event.

"It is a moment of joy for all of us, that is why we come here every year regardless of our old age. We come to participate in the show. In our group, we have elderly and sick people, who are still singing and their voice is still better than others," said Alic James, a participant.

A Christmas carol or hymn is a communal song whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas. They are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas by group of chosen members.

Kerala has a large concentration of the Christian community.

ANI