In spite of COVID-19, churches and parishes are making Christmas celebration this year but with precautions assured for safety...
In spite of COVID-19, churches and parishes are making Christmas celebration this year but with precautions assured for safety.
Christmas is just around the corner with colorful lights, illuminations, Santa Claus and the reindeer pulling a sleigh through the night sky to deliver gifts to children, snow-flake Christmas trees and hilarious Christmas songs. Christmas preparation is being carefully made to ensure a safe and enjoyable season.
At Nha Trang Cathedral Parish, parishioners are decorating Christmas trees, nativity scenes and cribs. According to Nguyen Huu Anh, Parish Council Chairman, Christmas decoration has begun this December. However, due to unfavorable weather, the work on nativity scenes and cribs did not finish until December 22. According to the Bishop, Christmas Eve nativity play will not be organized; the worshipping will be performed for 20-30 minutes and then followed by midnight Mass for all parishioners and Christians. On Christmas Eve, all people coming to churches will be reminded of wearing masks and adhering to safety and security guidance.
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Van Gia Parish Priest Tran Dinh Hoa, Van Ninh District says more than 3,000 parishioners are setting up Christmas nativity scenes and cribs to welcome Christmas. Christmas activities this year will not include nativity play. Only sacred activities and midnight Mass will be held. Dien Khanh Deanery, Ha Dua Parish Priest Vo Quy says the Christmas celebration is still like in previous years but will be shortened. A musical show will not be celebrated; Just benediction, blessing and midnight Mass will be held and completed before 9pm.
Many parishes have kept their practice of offering Christmas gifts to the poor on the festive season for many years. Nha Trang Cathedral Parish has prepared 150 gifts worth VND250,000 each and Cu Thinh Parish, Dien Khanh District hundreds of gifts. Not only at Christmas, Ha Dua Parish donates VND13 million from its funding to offer more than 100 gifts every month. All the gifts will be given to children, the poor and orphan, irrespective of religious faith to promote solidarity.
Together with Christmas decoration, parishioners have also decked out their homes with pine trees, nativity scenes and cribs to welcome Christmas. For a long time, Christmas has become not only celebrated religiously by Christians and parishioners but also an opportunity for everyone to get together, share joy and wish for peace and happiness. On Christmas Eve, everyone may go to the churches to join Christians’ get-together and joy in the sound of Christmas bells’ ringing.
Ma Phuong
Translated by N.T
