Christmas comes early in Catholic villages in Ha Tinh

At this time, not only in each house but also on the streets are decorated brilliantly by the people of the Catholic hamlets in Ha Tinh. People are eagerly waiting for Christmas and a peaceful and happy New Year.

Video: Catholic villages in Ha Tinh are busy preparing for Christmas

These days, taking advantage of the beautiful sunny weather, parishioners of Trung Phu hamlet in Van Hanh Cathedral Parish (Thach Trung commune, Ha Tinh city) are rushing together to complete the Bethlehem grotto to welcome Christmas 2023. Van Hanh Cathedral Parish has 4 hamlets and 2 sub-parishes; the construction of the Bethlehem grotto will be in charge of 1 hamlet or sub-parish each year. This year, Trung Phu hamlet parish is in charge of the construction, the people started on October 20, and have so far completed over 90% of the work.

The Bethlehem grotto welcoming Christmas 2023 at Van Hanh Cathedral Parish is over 90% completed.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan (Trung Phu hamlet, Thach Trung commune, Ha Tinh city) said: "In the past few days, although it is not yet completed and not yet Christmas day, hundreds of visitors have come to visit the model. In response to the expectations and curiosity of visitors, parishioners are focusing all their human resources to soon complete the items, ready to "light up" to serve people during the holidays."

In addition to rushing to complete the grotto at Van Hanh Cathedral, parishioners in Thach Trung commune are also focusing on decorating along the roads. From inside the house to the alley, the Christmas atmosphere is filled with joy. With an excited atmosphere, people are hoping for a peaceful and happy new year.

Parishioners of Lien Phu village, Thach Trung commune decorate the streets to welcome Christmas.

Mr. Nguyen Van Huan (Lien Phu village, Thach Trung commune) shared: “In addition to the main points, parishioners are urgently completing Christmas-welcoming projects along the roads. In order for the Christmas celebration to take place solemnly, since the beginning of November, the youth in the parish have carried out careful preparations, from coming up with ideas, designing, to purchasing materials and construction.”

Ms. Nguyen Ha Thuy (Tran Phu ward, Ha Tinh city) shared: "Although I am not a Catholic, every year, on Christmas, my family and I often visit churches in Thach Trung, Thach Ha... Coming here on cold winter nights, we feel warmer."

The Christmas atmosphere is taken care of by people from inside the house to outside the alley.

Compared to previous years, preparations for Christmas 2023 were started earlier by many parishes in the province. Starting from the end of October, some parishes began constructing unique works, such as Christmas trees, giant Bethlehem caves, and beautiful scenes close to daily life. In general, the works are all highly artistic.

In Cam Quang commune (Cam Xuyen), the Christmas atmosphere is being meticulously created by parishioners in every project. In addition to the main point at Ngo Xa Parish Church, parishioners are also constructing scenes and giant Christmas trees at central locations to create a space for visitors to play and visit.

People of Ngo Xa parish (Cam Quang commune, Cam Xuyen) set up large Christmas trees in central locations.

Mr. Hoang Van Nam (Ngo Xa Parish, Cam Quang Commune, Cam Xuyen) shared: “To welcome Christmas, many families also set up welcome gates and made grottos along the roads. At the same time, we, the parishioners, actively carry out local tasks such as: building new rural areas; working in the fields to prepare for spring sowing...”.

Not only in the lowlands, the Christmas atmosphere is also being urgently decorated by people in the mountainous districts of Ha Tinh. At Vinh Hoi Parish (Quang Tho Commune, Vu Quang), parishioners are working together to complete the nativity scene at Vinh Hoi Parish Church.

Parishes and churches in the province are dressed in new colors.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Son (village 7, Quang Tho commune) shared: “Every year, near Christmas, Catholics gather at the church, decorating the nativity scene and the pine tree together. Christmas is a great festival for Catholics, so not only are big programs held at the church, Christmas celebrations are also held in residential areas and in each family. Children and grandchildren living far away also return to reunite and welcome Christmas in joy.”

According to Mr. Son, to celebrate Christmas, before that, the parishioners in the village had simultaneously mobilized to tidy up the village roads, alleys, and decorate their houses. Thanks to the solidarity of the Catholic community, the commune has reached the advanced new rural area target in 2021 and is currently striving to build a model new rural area. In the coming time, the parishioners in the area will continue to accompany the local government to soon complete this goal.

Another Christmas season has come with fresh colors of landscapes throughout parishes and churches throughout the province. With elaborate preparations, we believe that every person and every family will welcome a warm, peaceful and happy Christmas.

Van Chung - Le Tuan

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/van-hoa-ha-tinh/giang-sinh-den-som-tai-cac-xom-dao-o-ha-tinh/258678.htm