Dinajpur, Joypurhat swept up in Xmas spirit

Thousands of people from Dinajpur and adjacent districts joyously thronged local churches to offer special prayers in celebration of Christmas.
The peal of church bells and midnight mass in the churches on Christmas Eve heralded the Christmas celebrations. Homes were decorated with Christmas trees and lights.
The churches in all 13 upazilas of Dinajpur organised a day-long public mass and an open air theatre to celebrate the festival.
Expatriates also gathered at the church to celebrate Christmas.
As Dinajpur reels under a cold wave, a group of youngsters in Santa caps carried large sacks full of warm clothes, scarves and ear-muffs which they donated to the poor at Dinajpur Mission Church.
Other churches here in Joypurhat held Christmas mass and prayers.
'Celebrations got underway five weeks ago,” said Shwapna Marandi of Mirzapur village of Dinajpur municipality.People from far-flung areas came to the church located here at Suihari area under Dinajpur Municipality as it is one of the oldest churches in the area. People from all communities took part in the celebrations.