Christmas arrived early in Dong Binh parish.

As Christmas approaches, the atmosphere at Dong Binh Parish, Khuc Thua Du Commune (Hai Phong) becomes more vibrant and warm than ever.

The Christmas spirit at Dong Binh Church is spreading to every corner and every decorating task that the parishioners have been diligently working on for nearly two months now.

A special highlight of this year's Christmas season in Dong Binh is the reindeer-drawn sleigh, handcrafted by the parishioners themselves.

According to parishioners in Dong Binh, a set of four reindeer, if purchased as a complete set, can cost up to 70 million VND. They told each other, "If it's too expensive, we'll make them ourselves." In just over a month, carpenters, welders, and electricians in the parish worked together, some cutting the iron frames, others shaping the antlers, and still others meticulously painting and installing the light bulbs.

The locals also erected a large Christmas tree and installed a statue of Our Lady of La Vang... Every detail was handcrafted and carefully considered to maintain a solemn yet approachable atmosphere.

The Dong Binh wooden church, built in 1895 on the site of the old cathedral, boasts an ancient architectural style that is over a century old. Each Christmas season, the renovation and decoration further emphasize the preservation of traditions for generations of parishioners.

While the adults were busy decorating, the children gathered at the church in the late afternoon, maintaining a familiar rhythm that was like the "breath of faith" of Dong Binh parish.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Niem, from the Parish Council of Dong Binh Parish, said that the parish currently has nearly 1,000 parishioners, most of whom are farmers . Every year, as Christmas approaches, the parishioners prepare together from very early on to decorate the church grounds and organize activities to celebrate the holiday.

As darkness fell, the colorful lights illuminated Dong Binh Parish, making it stand out amidst the peaceful atmosphere of the religious community.

A model of the Holy Family working together is erected right in the church grounds, recreating the simple yet warm scene of Jesus' family in everyday life.

The reindeer, handcrafted by the parishioners themselves, stand prominently at the entrance under the vibrant pine tree, while in the distance, a bas-relief depicting passages from the Gospels creates a Christmas atmosphere that is both lively and solemn.

The nativity scene is set up right in the center, with skillfully shaped porous stones and warm yellow lights illuminating the manger. Inside, statues of the Infant Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph are arranged respectfully, creating a simple yet warm Christmas corner.

Christmas seems to arrive earlier in Dong Binh. Just stepping onto the roads leading to the church, one can clearly feel the festive atmosphere spreading through every house and every corner of the neighborhood. For nearly two months, the parishioners have been diligently decorating, contributing their small parts to create a vibrant and exciting Christmas season.

DO TUAN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/giang-sinh-ve-som-บน-xu-dao-dong-binh-529259.html