The Christmas atmosphere is pervading every street in HCM City . Buildings, trading centers and shops are colorfully decorated with Christmas trees and Santas riding reindeer carriages.

Vuon Xoai Parish, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s major Dioceses, with 5,000 followers have organized ceremonies to pray for peace in the soul for both children and adults. Through such events, parishioners have better understanding of the significance of Christmas in their daily lives. The local church has also provided monthly allowances and bought medical insurances for 56 poor households. Cultural and culinary programs featuring specialties of three regions in the country have also been held on this occasion and 200 gift worth thousands of US dollars have been presented to local disadvantaged people. Nguyen Van Tien, a dignitary of the Vuon Xoai Parish said ‘Local Catholic followers have actively responded to activities launched by the Parish, particularly a program to provide scholarships for poor students, and preparations for an exciting Christmas’.

Despite the country’s economic difficulties, Catholic followers in the city have donated almost 2.7 million USD to social activities relating to education, community health and aid relief for natural disaster victims. Nguyen Thanh Long, a Catholic follower from Thanh Minh Parish has this to say ‘Our living standards have improved significantly since the country’s renewal process. As a result, Christmas has also been more exciting’.

Christmas is also a chance for Christians to do good deeds especially helping the disadvantaged. According to Priest Dinh Quang Manh Hung from Da Minh – Da Chuong diocese ‘This year, I called on Christians to visit and share with the poor on Christmas Day. Christmas is also the time for people to look back at what they have done so that they can behave better in the coming time’.

Christmas is the chance for people to share love and warm with others, show the tradition of solidarity and remind them of a good secular and religious life.

Lan Anh