A look around the predominant Christian areas shows that preparations to commemorate the birth of Christ are still in progress on a grand scale.

Many however were disappointed at the changes in the service times. The services on the eve of Christmas are usually from 11:00pm, but this year, services commenced as early as 4:00pm.

State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar after a high-level meeting held on December 19 on security measures on the eves of Christmas and New Year said that security has been beefed up.

"The Christian community should not feel threatened under any circumstances," said the minister. "We are just ensuring their safety," he added.

The minister asked the police to thoroughly examine all churches before December 25 to ensure security of the congregation, police sources said.

Yet the church authorities decided not to have the usual 'midnight' services and to advance the timings.

Father A Jyoti Gomes, parish priest of Holy Rosary Church, Tejgaon, said for security reasons, celebrated the Christmas Vigil Mass at 4:00pm in Bangla and 8:00pm in English yesterday.

He said there would be no "midnight" Mass on New Year's Eve for the January 1 Solemnity of Mary.

Only two services -- one at 4:00pm in Bangla and the other at 6:30pm in English were held at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit of the National Major Seminary in Banani for parishioners of Banani, Gulshan and neighbouring areas.

Father Gabriel, rector of the seminary, said that no church was put under any pressure, but the priests in charge of the various churches decided to hold the services early yesterday.

Priests of various parishes have asked the congregations not to carry bags with them in future when they come to church, and warned all to be alert regarding strangers within the church premises.

The pastor of Mary, Queen of Apostles Church in Mirpur-2 held their service at 7:00pm yesterday. The service was usually held at 9:00pm in the previous years.

Parishioners of the many churches said that Christmas won't be Christmas without the midnight services.

"I will go for the morning service," said George, a Tejgaon parishioner. "There is no feeling of Christmas without the midnight service," he added.

The Assembly of God (AG) Church at Eskaton will not have any Christmas Eve services. There will be only one service on today at 9:00am.

Said Elizabeth: "The children and I are disappointed, but what can we do. We have to consider the security situation."

De Mazenod Church at Naya Nagar had only one service yesterday at 4:00pm. The other will be held today at 8:00am, said Father Emil Moraes.

Church authorities said that police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) officials had started checking venues days before the feast.

"We feel safe and happy that such security measures have been taken to ensure safety for all," said a parishioner from Banani.

However, The Cathedral at Ramna was support to hold its Christmas Eve service at 10:00pm, amidst tight security.

"We will ensure tight security of all the churches in Dhaka," said Mazharul Huq deputy commissioner (South) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). "According to the decision taken at a central meeting police and Rab officials will stand guard on the premises of all churches for 24 hours till the events are over," he added.

"The Christian community should carry out their services like the previous years as the state minister has promised full support and security. The number of police personnel per church will depend on the volume of the congregation of Christians at each venue. There will be constant monitoring round the clock in the churches", said Mazharul.

Earlier in the month many associations and organisations held their annual Christmas Carols amidst tight security at various restaurants in the city. The Sri Lankan Association in Bangladesh held its carol service on December 15, while the Philippines community had its service on December 1.

Authorities of different police stations like Ramna, Mirpur, Badda and Gulshan that have churches under their jurisdiction said that according to the order from the central committee police from these stations will be deployed to cater security in and around the churches.

According to the meeting, the police force was assigned from December 22 in all the churches and all the venues geared with security devices. Thorough searches were conducted from December 22 and continued to do so until December 24, with a complete system to monitor the areas.

The minister requested the Christian community to call the police of Rab for immediate action in case of any untoward incident.

Yet Christians gathered in large numbers to partake at the services singing to themselves:

"God rest ye merry gentlemen, may nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan's power, when we are gone astray, - Good tiding of Comfort and Joy"