Churches in the city are decked out with Christmas lights and trees.
Many churches will have a midnight mass, followed by the service on December 25.
Some churches are making arrangements to accommodate large crowds that visit
on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
At St Paul’s Cathedral, about 300 additional chairs are being placed inside.
At the Church of Christ the King in Park Circus, a screen has been set up on the premises for those who will not get a place inside.
“We have a capacity of 400 people inside the church but many more turn up for the midnight mass. People from other denominations also come,” said Father Basil Mandi, parish priest, Church of Christ the King.
The number of faithful for each of the four services on Christmas is more than on a regular Sunday.
“Usually, we would have around 150 people for each of the four services on Sunday. But on Christmas there are at least 250 people for each of the four services,” he said.
Some of the churches have made a crib, something particularly popular among children visitors.
Christmas in Calcutta is not restricted to one faith or community. “By putting up extra chairs inside we try to expand our capacity to 700 people for the midnight mass. But despite that there is a crowd waiting outside,” said Reverend Abir Adhikari, priest-in-charge, St Paul’s Cathedral.
At St Paul’s, there are three services on December 25. At 7.30am and 8.30am and in Bengali at 11am.
Reverend Paritosh Canning, bishop of the Calcutta diocese of the Church of North India, will conduct the worship service and celebrate the Holy Communion on December 24.
The Church of Christ the King in Park Circus decked out on Monday evening for Christmas.
Reverend Thomas D’Souza, archbishop of Calcutta, will be the chief celebrant at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary on Brabourne Road for the midnight mass.
On December 25, the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary will have carols by school children.
“We have a programme on Christmas evening. People keep coming till 9pm,” said Father Franklin Menezes, pro-vicar, Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary.
A Christmas tree has gone up at the newly renovated St James’ Church on AJC Bose Road. “Calcutta is different from many other cities because people from different faiths visit churches, some to see the decoration and
also to say a prayer,” said Reverend Shreeraj Mohanty, presbyter-in-charge, St James’ Church.
“The devotion in them comes across when they are praying. Some of them will walk barefoot (in the church), thus giving the same kind of honour as they are used to at their place of worship, which is touching,” said Reverend Mohanty.
Father Basil Mandi said he in his Christmas message would talk to the worshippers about hope. “One should be hopeful. One could be sick, unemployed or depressed but under any circumstances one should not lose hope. If you have hope and are in the right direction, God will empower you,” he said.