UAE churches gear up for Christmas services
Special arrangements being made to receive thousands of devotees across emirates.
As the final countdown to Christmas begins, churches in the UAE are getting all set to mark the festivities and receive hundreds of thousands of devotees for mass services.
At Dubai’s St Mary’s Catholic Church, one of the oldest and most popular churches in the country, J. James, Coordinator, Liturgical Services, said the church is expecting around 10,000 people for the midnight mass alone, besides 7,500-plus people at each service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
He said the first service on December 24, beginning 3.30pm would be for the benefit of the sick and elderly, while the next regular service will be at 7pm. The midnight service will start with carol singing at 11.15pm, followed by the mass at 12 midnight. The following day, there will be a service every 90 minutes from 5.30am till 10am and again from 3pm to 7.30pm. Services in Arabic will also be provided at 9pm on Christmas eve and 11.30am and 9pm on Christmas Day. There will also be a French service at 5pm on December 24.
James said, “St Mary’s Church is all geared up to cater to the thousands of people who will be converging here. In fact, the celebrations began on December 13 itself, when we had the grand lighting of the giant Christmas tree in the compound. The Filipino community is also marking Simbang Gabi, the nine days of Novena in preparation for Christmas They have two service every day at 4am and 8.30pm. Different communities are also having their own carol singing and get-togethers on the church premises.”
James urged the public to avoid carrying big and heavy bags. “There could be random checks,” he said.
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