Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Christmas Day by attending a special morning service at a historic church in the national capital, emphasizing themes of love, peace, and social harmony. The visit to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi on Thursday, December 26, 2025, is seen as a significant gesture of outreach to the Christian community in India.
A Service of Prayer and Carols
The Christmas morning service was a traditional celebration featuring hymns, carols, and collective prayers. A notable moment during the service was when Rt Rev Dr Paul Swarup, the Bishop of Delhi, offered a special prayer for the Prime Minister and his well-being. The serene atmosphere of the church, adorned for the festive season, provided the backdrop for this gathering.
Following the service, PM Modi took to social media platform X to share his reflections. He described the experience as one that reflected the "timeless message of love, peace and compassion." In his post, he expressed a hope that the spirit of Christmas would "inspire harmony and goodwill in our society." He extended further wishes, adding, "May Christmas bring renewed hope, warmth and a shared commitment to kindness."
Continuity of Community Engagement
This visit is not an isolated event but part of a consistent pattern of engagement by the Prime Minister with the Christian community over recent years. In 2023, PM Modi attended an Easter programme at Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral and later hosted a Christmas celebration at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
The outreach continued in 2024, with the Prime Minister attending a dinner at the residence of Minister George Kurian and participating in an event organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. This sustained interaction underscores a political effort to connect with diverse religious groups across the country.
Broader Political Participation in Festivities
The Christmas celebrations saw participation from other senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well, highlighting a coordinated approach. BJP national president and Union Minister J P Nadda joined festivities at the Christian Higher Secondary School in Delhi, an event organized by the Mai Naga Christian Fellowship Delhi (MNCFD).
Addressing a gathering largely comprising the Naga community from Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, Nadda spoke about the teachings of Jesus Christ promoting "love, compassion and service to humanity." He issued a public appeal to work for humanity's betterment and also touched upon the impact of the government's 'Act East' policy in the North Eastern region.
The event was also attended by BJP national secretary Anil K Antony and Tom Vadakkan, the national spokesperson and chairman of the Bharatiya Christian Manch. Their presence further signals the party's focus on building bridges with Christian voters and community leaders.
PM Modi's personal participation in the religious service, combined with the active involvement of top party officials in Christmas events, frames the festival as an occasion for national unity and mutual respect among India's diverse religious communities.
