Bustling Christmas atmosphere

“Happy birthday to the Lord/Let us hold hands and smile/Peace to all/Let us sing joyful songs…” - the melody resonates, signaling the warm and peaceful Christmas season is coming. In addition to the main rituals, churches in parishes and parishes are splendidly decorated, creating an exciting atmosphere for parishioners to come pray, have fun, and celebrate Christmas.

Thai Binh Cathedral is brilliant for Christmas.

Bong Tien Parish, Vu Tien Commune is one of the parishes with the most beautifully decorated church in Vu Thu District. These days, the streets and residential areas are decorated with flags and flowers by parishioners, creating an exciting atmosphere for Christmas. Many families have completed the nativity scene simulating the birthplace of Jesus, and decorated Christmas trees of various sizes and vibrant colors. At the parish church, parishioners have completed the final stages such as making the nativity scene, Christmas tree, decorative lights, cleaning, etc.

Mr. Tran Van Tho, Chairman of the Parish Council, said: Bong Tien Parish has 2,100 parishioners. In the minds of the parishioners here, Christmas not only means celebrating the birth of Christ but also an occasion for people to gather, show solidarity, and pray together for good things in the new year. Therefore, preparations for Christmas are carried out from the beginning of December. The church is splendidly decorated, each parishioner is in charge of a task, some decorate the path, some decorate the inside and outside of the church, some are in charge of the stage, the nativity scene... The performances during Christmas are also carefully rehearsed.

Parishioners of Bong Tien Parish, Vu Tien Commune (Vu Thu) decorate the church for Christmas.

Vu Tien Commune has over 30% of the population being Catholics with 4 parishes. Over the years, parishioners have always complied with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and local regulations; actively encouraged each other to work and produce, build a cultural life in residential areas, and build "4 exemplary parishes and parishes".

Mr. Dong Van Nam, Chairman of the Commune Fatherland Front Committee, said: Over the past years, the lives of people in the commune have been constantly improved and raised. The locality has focused on implementing social security work well, building cultural life in residential areas, building solidarity between Catholics and non-Catholics, creating a competitive atmosphere to complete the goal of building advanced new rural areas. Every year, the Christmas atmosphere here is very exciting. The work of ensuring security and order, traffic safety, fire prevention and fighting is given special attention by local authorities, villages and parishes in order to best serve parishioners and people in performing rituals and welcoming a peaceful Christmas.

The Christmas atmosphere is bustling throughout the localities. In Thai Binh city, the Cathedral area is splendidly decorated; pine trees and nativity scenes are set up, and Christmas activities are also carefully prepared.

Mr. Tran Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Cathedral Parish Council, shared: In addition to celebrating the birth of Jesus, Christmas is also an occasion for all family members and children living far away to reunite. Therefore, people in the Cathedral Parish prepare very carefully from decorating their houses to decorating the neighborhoods to make them more sparkling and brilliant. The parish and the church choir actively practice and prepare performances and scenes to celebrate Christmas.

Feeling the solemn and warm atmosphere when setting foot in the Cathedral during the Christmas season, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, Hai Phong city was very impressed with the giant Christmas tree and sparkling lights in the solemn space. She shared: The delicate miniatures are not only beautiful images but also the people's wish for a peaceful, warm, and loving Christmas. Every small detail exudes the devotion and piety of the religious community, making the atmosphere here even more meaningful and full of emotions.

Over the years, the Party Committees and authorities at all levels in the province have always paid attention to the lives of Catholics, creating favorable conditions for religious activities in accordance with the law. The dignitaries always encourage the parishioners to promote the spirit of "Respecting God, loving the country", living a "good life, beautiful religion", actively participating in socio-economic development, improving their lives, contributing to building an increasingly prosperous homeland. On the occasion of Christmas and New Year every year, the leaders of the province, the Fatherland Front and departments, branches, organizations and localities visit and congratulate the dignitaries and Catholics in the whole province.

Another Christmas season has come in the joy and excitement of the parishioners. Along with good preparation, everyone is praying and wishing for a peaceful Christmas season, a new year full of joy and happiness. And for a long time, Christmas has gone beyond the framework of a religious ceremony, becoming a community holiday, tightening the solidarity between religions and non-religious people. People consider this an opportunity to participate in fun and entertaining activities as well as to send messages of love to relatives and the community so that life is more loving and filled with happiness.