The Pakistani Christian community gathers during a pre-Christmas Sunday service to pray for peace and prosperity | M Arif, White Star
The Pakistani Christian community gathers during a pre-Christmas Sunday service to pray for peace and prosperity | M Arif, White Star

Wearing their Santa hats, the children can be seen weaving their way through the leashes of the winter evening; lights dance alongside the roads and decorations peep from railings of apartments. The animated hum of carol singing can be heard from the Church, the services have commenced. Christmas in Pakistan opens itself out to us.

The yearly tradition of midnight Church services, Christmas gatherings, the visits to people’s homes to do carol singing and the Christmas bazaars continues this year in full fervour. Here, the Herald takes a photographic journey through the preparations and merriment seen in cities across Pakistan to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

A decorative Christmas ornament hangs from a tree at Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad; the road has been decorated with Christmas buntings and lights | White Star
A decorative Christmas ornament hangs from a tree at Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad; the road has been decorated with Christmas buntings and lights | White Star
Christmas preparations at Karachi's Bohri bazaar | Stephan Andrew, White Star
Christmas preparations at Karachi's Bohri bazaar | Stephan Andrew, White Star
Visitors take interest in various stalls at a Christmas Bazaar in Islamabad | Tanveer Shahzad, White Star
Visitors take interest in various stalls at a Christmas Bazaar in Islamabad | Tanveer Shahzad, White Star
On Christmas eve, a young boy arranges the flower decorations at the Saint John's Church in Peshawar | White Star
On Christmas eve, a young boy arranges the flower decorations at the Saint John's Church in Peshawar | White Star
The Christmas tree adorns many homes across Pakistan in celebration of Christmas | Stephan Andrew, White Star
The Christmas tree adorns many homes across Pakistan in celebration of Christmas | Stephan Andrew, White Star
Service underway at the Sacred Heart Church in Lahore | M Arif, White Star
Service underway at the Sacred Heart Church in Lahore | M Arif, White Star
Santa Claus makes an appearance during a pre-Christmas Sunday service | M Arif, White Star
Santa Claus makes an appearance during a pre-Christmas Sunday service | M Arif, White Star
Christmas preparations and decor | Stephan Andrew, White Star
Christmas preparations and decor | Stephan Andrew, White Star
Churches across Pakistan are candlelit in celebration of Christmas | M Arif, White Star
Churches across Pakistan are candlelit in celebration of Christmas | M Arif, White Star