President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has greeted the nation on the eve of Christmas. In her message, Mrs. Patil said Christmas was a time of great joy, cheer, hope and happiness. She said Christmas proclaims Lord Jesus Christ's message of love and sacrifice, compassion and service, courage and humility, peace and harmony.

In Capital Delhi, churches have organised special mass in the evenings to celebrate the arrival of the son of God. Markets, Shopping malls are well decked up on the eve of Christmas. A last minute rush to decorate homes and Christmas trees can be seen in different parts of the city.

Meanwhile, the little town of Bethlehem is getting itself ready for the arrival of thousands of pilgrims to celebrate Christmas in the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism said an estimated 90,000 pilgrims are expected to visit the Holy Land for the festival. The majority of them will make their way to the West Bank city to celebrate the festivities with the Christians who live or work in Israel and the Palestinian territories.