Thousands of worshippers are expected to celebrate Christmas Day masses at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris as part of the celebrations hailing its restoration just over five years after fire nearly destroyed the 12th century monument.

Notre Dame’s resurrection rejects the timid and self-effacing psychosis that has long strangled the West. It is a physical reminder that the principles that make the West great, like human rights, open inquiry, individual liberty, and rule of and by the people, grew out of a civilization that worshipped God.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is now preparing to celebrate Christmas Mass since recently reopened after years of renovations to fix the damage caused by a devastating fire. NBC’s Keir Simmons reports for TODAY.

This year, Notre-Dame de Paris celebrates its first Christmas masses since the fire in 2019. These celebrations, scheduled for December 24 and 25, 2024, promise to draw large crowds under its majestic vaults. If you'd like to take part in these masses on the occasion of its reopening, we tell you all about the details.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted its first Christmas mass since it was reopened. Five and a half years after a catastrophic fire nearly destroyed the historic landmark, Notre Dame celebrating Christmas.

This will be the first Christmas celebration since the restoration of the historic church following a devastating 2019 fire.