Thiruvananthapuram: Christians in Kerala today celebrated Christmas with great devotion and traditional fervour with midnight masses in churches, carol singing and special feasts marking the fesitval of peace,hope and promise.

Thousands of people congregated for the midnight mass celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger in Bethlehem, for which churches were decked up across the state.

Church leaders, including prelates of three Catholic streams  Syro Malabar, Latin and Syro Malankara  led the midnight mass here and in other cities.

Days ahead of Christmas, the festive mood had begun to permeate the entire state with stars heralding the Nativity illuminating churches, houses and town squares and carol bands doing the rounds.

The Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, Dr M Susai Packyam, led the midnight mass at the St Jospeh Cathedral in the city.

Governor R L Bhatia, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and other leaders greeted Keralites on the occasion.