Rains fail to dampen Christmas celebrations

A giant Christmas tree at Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi.—KT photo by Iftikhar Shaheedi

It wasn’t exactly a white Christmas morning but it definitely was a wet one.

Encouraged mid-morning by clear and bright skies, people packed off to spend the special day in the company of family and close friends.

“It’s been a surprise Christmas morning with loud thunder and lightning, something we rarely get to see in the country,” said Coral Allen, a Sharjah resident, who said she missed the white Christmas in her home country, the UK.

“We will all be getting together for a sumptuous and traditional lunch at my place,” she added.

Thousands of faithful attended the evening and midnight mass at churches across the country on Thursday. In Dubai, Oud Metha Road along which St. Mary’s and other churches are located brimmed with people. Sharjah’s Yarmook area also witnessed huge crowds with Christmas carols and prayers filling church compounds.

Malls were packed with shoppers availing the ongoing Christmas discounts and admiring the decorations. In Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel, the 13-metre high Christmas tree was a huge draw.

‘Wise men’ arrive on camel back during a Christmas pageant organised by Oasis Hospital in Al Ain. - KT photos by Asif Zaidi

In Dubai, Christmas lights and decorations at the Mall of the Emirates were a major pull while the tastefully decorated Christmas tree at Wafi Mall was an eye candy for mall visitors.

Hospitals and school children held celebrations of their own. On Christmas Day, Oasis Hospital in Al Ain held a live Christmas pageant featuring the “Wise Men Visit” complete with camels and hospital staff who rode them as the wise men.

The hospital has been celebrating this tradition for its staff and the local Christian community for the past 
three years.

The Wise Men mounted their camels on hospital grounds, and made their way carrying treasure chests, to the parking area between the outpatient clinics, the mosque and the church.

The camel caravan passes by the Etisalat building in Al Ain.

Treasures were given to children and guests who were already 
gathered there.

Christmas was definitely in the air as the St. Luke’ Junior Church Choir put on their annual performance at the Hilton Hotel and the Hilton Beach Resort in Ras Al Khaimah on Christmas eve.

Hotel guests, children and their parents watched as the choir sang and filled the lobby and corridors with the melodies of familiar carols of old.

Curious children grab sweets from the ‘treasure chest’, (right)a volunteer distributes sweets to children.

The kids then went on to perform several dances, a skit and even a Christmas medley that had the whole crowd rocking and clapping. As a grand finale, Santa Claus made his appearance and handed out chocolates and cookies.

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• UAE