Catholic followers of Dan Gian parish in Thanh Thuy Commune, Thanh Oai District, Ha Tay Province prepared for Christmas celebration almost one month earlier. Theynbsp; practiced singing hymns, playing wind instruments and drum as well as preparing art performances. A few days before Christmas Eve, the parish church was already splendidly decorated, sparkling with colorful lights. Houses of local Catholic believers were tidied up and decorated with five-star and multi-colored lanterns and Christmas trees. Children took particular delight in making beautiful five-star lanterns for the lantern contest on Christmas Eve. Restaurants and souvenir shops were also more bustling and crowded than usual.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

On Christmas Eve, houses and trees in Dan Gian village turned glistening in the sparkling lights. Thousands of followers from the village and from neighboring districts, provinces and cities such as Ha Noi, Phu Tho, Hung Yen...headed to the Dan Gian Church to attend Christmas celebration. It began with the procession of bringing the Baby Jesus Christ statue around the Church, then came the re-enactment of the birth of Christ, the Mass and finally visits to the place where Jesus was born.

By Tuan Long - Hoang Ha

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