Decorate to welcome a peaceful Christmas.

Parishioners of Tan Hai parish (Nga An commune) prepare to celebrate a peaceful and warm Christmas season. Photo: Hoang Dong.

In Hac Thanh ward, Thanh Hoa Cathedral and the Thanh Hoa Bishop's Palace are prominent landmarks in late December. The church grounds are elaborately decorated with snow-covered gardens and miniature scenes recreating the Christmas atmosphere, attracting many locals and tourists. Ms. Nguyen Ha Trang from Ham Rong ward shared: “In the days leading up to Christmas, the space at the Cathedral is beautifully and warmly decorated. The Christmas scenes and the Nativity scene create a peaceful feeling.”

Within the grounds of the cathedral, the Nativity scene is always a familiar stop for many people. The miniature scenes depicting the Christmas story are harmoniously arranged, combined with Christmas lights and colors, creating a warm and sacred atmosphere. Every Christmas, this place is not only a religious space but also becomes a dazzling "check-in" spot, attracting many people, especially young people and families, to visit and capture memorable moments during the festive season.

Currently, the province has 92 parishes belonging to the Thanh Hoa Diocese. Since the beginning of December, parishes throughout Thanh Hoa have been bustling with preparations for Christmas. Each location has been meticulously preparing, adapting to local conditions, but all aiming for the common goal of celebrating a warm, peaceful, and religiously meaningful Christmas. In Nga An commune, after the merger of Nga Dien, Nga Phu, and Nga An communes, there are five parishes: Dien Ho, Phuoc Nam, Mong An, Chinh Nghia, and Tan Hai. As Christmas approaches, the atmosphere in the parishes becomes increasingly lively. From decorating the church grounds and preparing Christmas displays to cleaning and tidying up facilities, all are carried out by parishioners with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm. Alongside the activities of the parishes, the local authorities also organize campaigns to encourage religious leaders, officials, and believers to celebrate a peaceful Christmas. At the same time, the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws were effectively implemented. Propaganda activities were carried out appropriately, contributing to creating consensus and close ties between the government and Catholic people, helping the holiday season take place in a joyful, safe, and united atmosphere.

Dien Ho is one of the parishes with a large congregation of nearly 2,000 people. From the beginning of December, preparations for decorating the church began. Everything was carefully planned, from the interior to the exterior grounds, to create a solemn and warm atmosphere for Christmas. Every detail reflects the care and devotion of the parishioners for this important holiday. At Tan Hai parish, the Christmas preparations are also vibrant. These days, parishioners are working together to trim the trees in the church grounds, clean the facilities, and tidy up every corner. Under the care of the parish community, the church grounds are gradually taking on a new, sparkling, and colorful Christmas appearance.

Christmas preparations in parishes throughout Nga An commune have been meticulously carried out, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and unity within the Catholic community. Beyond organizing solemn religious activities, parishioners also prioritize maintaining security and order, environmental hygiene, and fostering a civilized lifestyle during the festive season. The spirit of "Reverence for God, love for the country" is clearly evident in each specific action, contributing to a positive image of Catholics in society.

The twinkling Christmas lights, the elaborately decorated Christmas scenes, the collaborative efforts of the parishioners, and the attention of the local authorities have created a vibrant and warm picture in the final days of the year. As parishioner Nguyen Van Hoang from Hac Thanh ward shared: “For us parishioners, Christmas is a very important holiday. Every year, around this time, we all work together to decorate the church and prepare Christmas scenes to welcome Christmas, hoping for a peaceful, warm, and tranquil Christmas season.”

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