The parishioners of Nghi Loc peacefully celebrate Christmas.

(Baonghean.vn) - Along with Catholics nationwide, parishes and sub-parishes in Nghi Loc district are entering a peaceful, happy, and warm Christmas season filled with solidarity.

For several days now, the Trai Gao sacred site in Nghi Phuong commune, Nghi Loc district, has been bustling with visitors from all over. At noon on December 23rd, amidst the crowds flocking to the Trai Gao sacred site, we encountered a young couple, Quynh Anh and Duc Long. Both from Hung Nguyen district, they came to the sacred site during this special time of year to participate in the prayer ceremony, admire the giant pine tree, marvel at the beautiful caves, and camp together with the youth of Nghi Phuong.

The giant pine tree at the Trai Gao sacred site.

Viewed from Provincial Road 534, the sacred site of Trai Gao shines with vibrant colors, highlighted by the magnificently decorated mahogany tree-lined path. A giant Christmas tree stands majestically at the foot of the mountain, radiating light and inviting visitors from all directions. For the past three years, the people of My Yen parish have traditionally erected this giant Christmas tree. This year, the enormous tree is 43 meters tall, equivalent to a 10-story building. With 12 branches and a diameter of approximately 13 meters at its widest point, the tree cost around 1 billion VND and was completed by parishioners starting in early December and finishing on December 21st.

Young people take souvenir photos next to the giant Christmas tree.

Mr. Nguyen Van Kieu, from Nghi Phuong commune, one of the people involved in setting up the Christmas tree, shared that this year, Christmas arrived in warm weather, and the people were excited after a year of good harvests and prosperous business; everyone was happy and joyful.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tao, Chairman of the Nghi Phuong Commune People's Committee, said that the joyful, relaxed, and warm atmosphere of Christmas has permeated all the villages and hamlets of My Yen parish. Families have decorated beautifully. During the important holiday, cultural, artistic, sports, and youth camping programs were organized, making the parish an attractive destination for visitors from all over. During the Christmas season, delegations from Nghi Loc district and Nghi Phuong commune visited to congratulate the priest, the parish pastoral council, and local officials. "All four sub-parishes of My Yen parish – Lang Bau, My Yen, Trai Gao, and Thanh Son – are filled with joy, excitement, and unity," Mr. Nguyen Trong Tao shared.

Leaving My Yen parish, we made our way to the coastal area of ​​Nghi Loc district. The road to Loc My parish was filled with the joyful sounds of Christmas carols and colorful lights from the nativity scenes of local families. The parish gate still smelled of fresh paint, along with the smooth concrete road and the charming, elaborately decorated entrance gates. My Yen parish has a history dating back to the mid-19th century, with its inhabitants primarily making a living from fishing and aquaculture. In recent years, the policy of diversifying occupations has been effectively implemented by the people, truly transforming this once impoverished coastal area.

Loc My parish, Nghi Quang commune, during the Christmas season.

Before the upcoming Christmas season, the local people have donated to erect more than 20 new welcome gates along the main road. While cleaning his house to welcome Christmas, fisherman Nguyen Van Quang happily shared his thoughts when guests came to visit. Quang happily shared that last year he upgraded his small fishing boat, pooled resources to buy a larger one, and achieved a high income. Before Christmas, his boat had a bountiful catch, which everyone considered a blessing, signaling a prosperous and abundant new year. “Nowadays, the people of Loc My no longer have to sell small fish to make ends meet like before. Everyone has enough to eat and save, and can build spacious houses,” Quang shared.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quang is cleaning his house to welcome Christmas.

Mr. Nguyen Long Thanh, Chairman of the Pastoral Council of Loc My Parish, said that the entire Loc My parish has more than 500 households, of which the Loc My sub-parish has more than 400 households. Currently, the economic life of the people is improving day by day. The development of auxiliary industries and the Nam Cam industrial zone are attracting a large number of workers, in addition to the effectiveness of the labor export policy. In 2014, people in the parish contributed their labor and resources to complete many new rural projects, most notably the construction of the village gate and the completion of the concrete road. "Here, people of all faiths and non-faiths are very united and love each other. This Christmas season, everyone is excited because the long-awaited dream of a spacious and clean road has become a reality," Mr. Thanh shared.

Nghi Loc District has 19 parishes with 57 sub-parishes, and over 29,000 Catholics. Over the years, the lives of the parishioners have continuously improved, and the unity between Catholics and non-Catholics has been strengthened. During the Christmas season, the Nghi Loc District leaders, in coordination with district-level agencies, organizations, and the local authorities of the communes, visited and extended greetings to the parishes and sub-parishes, wishing them a peaceful and happy Christmas.

Here are some thoughts from the people of Loc My parish as they celebrate Christmas:

Nguyen Khoa