People across the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ thronging the ornately decorated churches and with festivities.

Pope Benedict, the sixteenth set off the celebrations with a midnight mass last night.

In his message, the pope decried the increasing commercialisation of Christmas celebrations and asked the faithful to discover the real meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Pope presided over the services in a packed St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

At home, Christmas is being celebrated across the country with religious fervour and traditional gaiety.

Prayer services were organised since last in evening in various churches throughout the country rejoicing the arrival of the almighty.

Faithfuls went to churches in the morning and offered prayers seeking peace, prosperity and brotherhood.

In the national capital, people from all age groups gathered in churches in the morning to offer prayers.