Warm Christmas vibes from every parishioner's home.
Despite the hustle and bustle of life, for the parishioners, Christmas is the most sacred holiday of the year, a time for each family to set aside their daily worries, dedicate time to decorating their living space, and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
These days, Mr. Nguyen Van Lai's house in Area 2, Vi Tan Ward ( Can Tho City) is always brightly lit as the nativity scene and Christmas tree are completed. This year, he invested more in the nativity scene than in previous years, measuring about 5 meters wide and over 2 meters high, decorated with a Christmas tree, tinsel, ornaments, and sparkling stars, at a total cost of nearly 10 million VND.
The Christmas preparations of Mr. Nguyen Van Lai's family in Area 2, Vi Tan Ward, have been completed.
Mr. Lai shared: “This year, our family's finances are better, so we want to celebrate Christmas properly and warmly. On Christmas Eve, in addition to attending church, the family will prepare a meal to invite relatives and friends to celebrate together, wishing for a peaceful and happy Christmas season.”
Not far away, Mr. Nguyen Van Luyen's family was equally bustling. In front of his house, he skillfully made a Christmas tree from water pipes, adorned with multicolored flashing lights, making it stand out in the neighborhood. Besides reusing items from previous years, this year he bought additional decorative lights to make the space even more vibrant.
"For Catholics, Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year. So, no matter how busy we are, my family always tries to prepare thoroughly to celebrate the birth of Christ," said Mr. Luyen.
Along the roads leading to the parishes, the Christmas spirit is evident in every parishioner's home. In front of each house is a nativity scene and manger; above, banners and colorful lights stretch out. Although the decorations may vary, simple or elaborate, everyone shares the same joy and anticipation for a peaceful Christmas Eve.
The church - a radiant meeting place for the community.
While the Christmas spirit is vibrant in the homes of parishioners, preparations at churches and parishes begin even earlier and more elaborately. From the end of November, parishioners work together to clean and beautify the grounds, ready for the important holiday. At the Vi Hung parish in Vi Tan ward, with over 2,600 parishioners, Christmas preparations are carried out systematically.
Father Le Kim Thach, parish priest of Vi Hung parish, said that the highlight of this year's Christmas season is a Christmas tree about 10 meters tall, with a three-tiered design, placed prominently in front of the church. All the trees in the grounds are decorated with flashing lights; multicolored string lights are arranged from the entrance gate to the sanctuary, creating a dazzling atmosphere when night falls.
Parishioners came to Vi Hung Church in Vi Tan ward to decorate the Christmas tree in preparation for Christmas.
"Every year, the church changes its decorations to create a fresh and attractive atmosphere. This Christmas, we expect to attract many parishioners and people of all faiths to come and pray, visit, and celebrate," said Father Le Kim Thach.
Meanwhile, at Vinh Cheo Church in Vinh Thuan Dong commune (Can Tho City), preparations for Christmas are also underway. Father Pham Minh Thuy, parish priest of Vinh Cheo parish, said that this year, the church has changed the color of the nativity scene from moss green to silver white, and invested in a larger statue of the Baby Jesus to create a new focal point.
"We want the church grounds to be more vibrant and eye-catching, in line with modern life, so that Christmas truly becomes a shared celebration for everyone," shared Father Pham Minh Thuy.
At many churches, children dressed as Santa Claus enthusiastically rehearse for Christmas Eve performances. Laughter, chatter, and Christmas music fill the air, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
Joy and happiness are spreading throughout the Catholic and Protestant communities. For the parishioners, Christmas is not only a religious ceremony, but also an opportunity for each person to reflect on the past year, look forward to better things ahead, and together cultivate a life of peace, unity, and compassion.
Text and photos: PHUOC THUAN
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/ron-rang-don-giang-sinh-a195910.html
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