“Wishing you a merry and happy Christmas” is the familiar greetings for many people when Christmas comes. Like the celebration of the Lord Buddha’s birthday, Christmas has become a common festival for all.
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Secretary of Binh Dinh provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Thien extends Christmas greetings to Binh Dinh Committee for Catholic Solidarity.
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For Protestant and Catholic followers, Christmas Day and Easter Day are two important events, but Christmas Day is more popular, attracting scores of people. It is the day when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ who is believed to bring happiness to all.
Many shops and supermarkets have displayed different kinds of Christmas items since early December, such as Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Santa Claus, reindeer and snow princesses. People could also hear the Christmas songs at some shops and restaurants.
The churches around the province were decorated with radiant lights and decorative things before the Christmas Eve. The representatives of many parishes gathered together to sing hymns at the Quy Nhon cathedral on December 22.
“As usual, the Christmas Eve is scheduled to take place after 9 pm at all churches on December 24 and end by 11 pm,” said Nguyen Cho, Secretary of Binh Dinh Committee for Catholic Solidarity. “The same ritual will be held at 6 am in the morning of December 25. Often, the Easter Day and Christmas Day are organized more solemnly than other events.”
Also, on the occasion of Christmas, all priests, dignitaries and believers of the diocese often share their happiness with the others by offering Christmas presents to children, poor people, and disadvantaged elderly persons.
With the church’s goal of “Respect God-Love the country”, the Protestant and Catholic followers have actively contributed to the national construction and defense cause in the past years. They joined many patriotic movements and campaigns, such as the socio-economic development program, poverty-alleviation movement, and the “Day for the poor” campaign.
In late 2009, for example, after many floods had caused serious damage, all priests, dignitaries and believers of the Quy Nhon diocese gave timely support to flood victims. They also spent a day raising VND150 million to help them overcome the flood aftermath. Nguyen Ba, living in Hai Canh ward, donated 10 tons of rice to the fund, assisting disadvantaged people in enjoying the 2009 Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
The living standard of the Protestant and Catholic followers has also been improved in the past years. The local authorities and dignitaries encouraged them to work happily.
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