Christmas joy

To celebrate Christmas 2025, starting in early December, the priest and parishioners at Tay Hai parish (in Long Binh ward) began decorating the church with various displays. Simultaneously, the villagers decorated Christmas trees, built nativity scenes, and strung twinkling lights from the gate to the porch; working together to make the neighborhood even more enchanting during the Christmas season.

A nearly 10-meter-tall Christmas tree made of grass stands at An Khuong parish (Tan Hung commune). Photo: Van Truyen

The joyful celebration of the important December feast by the parishioners of Tay Hai parish is also the shared sentiment of more than 1.4 million Catholic, Protestant, and Seventh-day Adventist believers in Dong Nai province this Christmas season.

December joy

This Christmas season brings even more joy as, at the beginning of December 2025, the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee (VSC) of Dong Nai province completed its personnel restructuring following the merger of the former VSCs of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces.

Father Tran Xuan Thao, Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province, said: The personnel participating in the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province include representatives of priests, nuns, and exemplary lay people. This is very important in building national unity because the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of the province serves as a bridge between the Party, the government, and religious leaders, clergy, officials, and lay people in the province. Therefore, the fact that the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of the province unified and restructured its personnel at the same time as the local government at two levels demonstrates a spirit of working for the common good and for the development of the province.

Parishioners of Bien Hoa parish (Tran Bien ward) are putting the finishing touches on a Christmas scene. Photo: Van Truyen

Simultaneously, at the 6th National Emulation Congress to commend "good people and good deeds" among Catholic compatriots, for the period 2020-2025, held in Hanoi , the Catholic community of Dong Nai province had 4 individuals honored, including: Father Tran Xuan Thao, Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province; Father Nguyen Minh Chanh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province; Father Le Van Nang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province; and Sister Bui Thi Hong Hanh, Deputy Head of the Office of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Dong Nai province.

Furthermore, 2025 is also the year when many churches will complete new construction or renovation. This demonstrates the province's concern for religious activities in the area. Pastor Phan Dinh Hao, representing the Southern Vietnam Evangelical Church, said: "In the past, the authorities at all levels in Dong Nai province have provided very active support to the Church in resolving procedures related to land, construction, and religious activities. The Church hopes to continue receiving even more attention from the province in the future so that the spiritual lives of its followers can further improve."

Sharing in the plight of those less fortunate.

Father Nguyen Minh Chanh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Committee of Dong Nai province, said: In 2025, the Catholic community in Dong Nai province continued to promote charitable and social activities with meaningful and practical actions, with a total budget of over 252 billion VND for these activities.

A child stands beside a miniature Bethlehem cave scene (in Tam Hiep ward). Photo: Hong Thoai

According to Father Nguyen Manh Cuong, Dean of Tan Mai Deanery and Deputy Head of the Charity and Social Welfare Committee of Caritas Xuan Loc, at the Mass held at the Our Lady of Nui Cui Center (Thong Nhat commune) at the end of November 2025, Bishop Do Van Ngan of the Xuan Loc Diocese called on clergy, officials, and parishioners to participate in activities to assist people affected by natural disasters. Accordingly, Christmas decorations will still be carried out, but with an effort to save money by reusing items from the previous year. A large portion of the money raised for Christmas decorations will be used to support people in provinces affected by natural disasters.

In addition, each parish organizes activities to care for the poor, the elderly, and children in the community through practical support. Responding to this call, the Caritas Xuan Loc Charity and Social Welfare Committee recently donated 500 million VND to the Provincial Fund for the Poor. Furthermore, the Xuan Loc diocese has donated billions of VND to people in provinces affected by natural disasters, organizing delegations to deliver gifts and provide assistance to the people in these areas…

In addition, to show concern for those less fortunate, this Christmas season An Khuong parish is organizing a loving meal for people with disabilities, the elderly, and children, and donating new clothes to those in need so that everyone can happily celebrate Christmas.

Literature

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202512/niem-vui-giang-sinh-1b11566/