For the first time in Nagaland, many churches holding live online Christmas services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The midnight services on Thursday welcoming the birth of Jesus were limited to lesser congregations in Churches following the COVID-19 protocols in the Christian majority State.

In Kohima, while many Churches have cancelled the main celebrations with masses in Church premises but are conducting live online Christmas services, some are holding the special mass in the Churches but with a limited gathering of believers in phases.

Moreover, unlike the previous years where the Christmas feast used to be part of the Church celebration, this year the State Health and Family Welfare Department has discouraged sharing the feast but to give takeaway packages.

Houses, commercial buildings, churches and streets have been lit with decorative lights in the State for Christmas.