QUANG TRI – Floating stage for Christmas ceremony on the river O Giang is made up of dozens of aluminum boats that people used to overcome the floods.
On the evening of December 24, the Christmas Watching Ceremony at Cay Da Parish (Hai Lang District), belonging to the Archdiocese of Hue, took place on the stage floating from dozens of aluminum boats, temporarily paved with wooden faces on the O Giang River. (a branch of O Lau river).
The concept of this stage was created by Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese, Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh – President of the Conference of Vietnamese Bishops. “There is probably no place in the world as well as Vietnam to celebrate Christmas on the river. The setting here is not to take pictures well, but to tell each other that we were together in and after the flood, “the Archbishop said at the opening of the Christmas Watch Prayer.
The liturgy of the Nativity Watch is performed by the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hue, with the focus on a reenactment of the mystery of the messenger – Mary (right-back actress) conceived of Jesus by the power of God and everyone blesses.
According to the Bible, God created man and woman, gave it to the Garden of Eden and wanted man to live happily, including Adam and Eve. With creation, God gives man the freedom to choose his own behavior. Because man has chosen the path of sin, he punishes himself for being excluded from the Garden of Eden, losing his inherent happy life. However, God still loves man, so he created a plan of salvation by sending Second Person to the throne more than 2,000 years ago at the cave of Bethlehem.
The part of the show also showed the scene of Covid-19 epidemic affecting the world and flooding and natural disasters in the Central region. a net month. Thanks to the generosity of the people at home and abroad, many gifts were promptly delivered to the place to save the hunger for the people.
The prayer show re-enacted the scene of the Archbishop wading into the flooded areas to give gifts of benefactors to save hunger. Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh is also the initiator of the “Fight in life” music night, which took place in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of November, raising 12 billion VND to help the people of Central Vietnam.
About half an hour after the vow, Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh took the statue of the Child God from the inside of Cay Da church to the cave made on boats next to the floating stage. All the parishioners raised their candles together to follow the Child God and sang the song of Light Day: “Today all peoples have seen the light. Today God visited his people … He came to earth. time, born in the middle of a difficult donkey cave. This is the One who looks forward to freeing deluded sentient beings. “
To get to this floating stage, the parish priest and parishioners in Cay Da spent more than two weeks wearing rain and cold weather to bring aluminum boats together, placed on flat wooden boards.
The angels danced in front of Bethlehem cave in the Hail Mary opening Mass to honor the Father and invoke the Son (Jesus). The Mass has two parts: liturgy of the word of God and liturgy of the Eucharist.
In Catholicism, there are two celebrations: Christmas (commemoration of Jesus’ birth) and Resurrection (Jesus is risen). In a sense, Easter is more important. But in terms of expression, Christmas is more jubilantly decorated and.
In his homily (liturgy of the word of God), Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh said that he chose Cay Da parish on the O Giang river to celebrate Christmas Eve, which is a land of misery that has undergone waves. natural disasters, floods over a net month (from mid-October to mid-November).
“How many tragedies have happened to the people here, the fields, properties and the future have been swept away by the violent floods in a moment,” he said, adding that he would do his best to do his best. Donors near and far provide additional assistance to people in flood areas.
On the O Giang river, around the floating stage, many villagers rowed to see the ceremony. They listen attentively to the sermon of the Archbishop.
“May you meet more Santa Claus in your life so that you will be less miserable and especially for you to step firmly on the road ahead,” the archbishop said.
The faithful are encouraged to kneel (if they do not kneel) when reciting the Creed until the passage “… By the Holy Spirit he conceived, born of the virgin Mary” , to commemorate the color enthroned God to become human.
Priests give holy bread to the laity in the Eucharistic Liturgy. Before Christmas, Catholics are forced to go to church for retreat, penance and confession to prepare a pure heart to welcome the baby Lord.
The Archbishop and priests concurrently stood adoration and bowed before the caves of Bethlehem before the end of Mass. He also extended his hand to bless the attendees when he returned to the courtyard of Cay Da parish.
After the Mass, Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh gave 600 gifts to the people. In which, the people from the people are given priority to receive gifts first, then the parishioners.
People visit the floating stage and take souvenir photos. Attending the Christmas Mass on the night of December 24 at Cay Da, in addition to the Catholics of Cay Da and neighboring parishes, there were also about 500 people.
On December 25, Catholic churches will have the main mass to celebrate Christmas. Catholics also take time off from work on this day to take time to visit, celebrate family holidays and host non-religious friends.
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