Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 25 (IANS): Kerala celebrated Christmas on Tuesday as midnight mass and early morning services saw a host of enthusiastic believers congregating at their parishes.

With the priests pouring a few drops of wine into the mouth and handing over a piece of cake at the end of the services, the nearly four week lent came to a close.

For all those devout Christians, who undertook the lent, the most important meal of the day was the breakfast, as non-vegetarian dishes returned to the palate after the lent break.

The traditional Syrian Christian breakfast included, appom, stew (chicken or mutton) fish molly, duck, beef, egg roast, steamed banana.

For those who forewent the lent, the major meal of the day would be the lunch and in most homes it comprises the traditional that includes a variety of fish and meat. Of late in some homes biryani has been a grand addition.

Businesswise, the ones who have by now made a killing are the numerous bakeries who have been working overtime, presenting the Christmas cake.

The rate of a Christmas cake with icing sugar starts from Rs 500 and goes up to Rs 2,500 a kilo.

In Christian-concentrated areas of central Kerala, where floods created havoc in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, some churches conducted Christmas Carol at those homes that were damaged and handed over gifts to the residents.