In Vietnam, this day is celebrated widely by Christians, and it is becoming more popular with many people. 

Christmas is as important to Westerners as Tet is to Vietnamese.  This is the period of time to finish the old year and move into a new year.  It is the time for people to thank God for Jesus Christ being born. 

In each church, as well as in the family home, they prepare for Christmas by putting up decorations.  These decorations have special symbolic meanings. 

The Christmas tree’s green pine needles show everlasting light and life.  The needles point up to heaven.  We decorate these trees with colourful items such as stars, bells, greeting cards, socks and angels. Around the Christmas tree, gifts with lovely packagaging are placed.  

We can not fail to mention the image of Santa Claus.  He has a lot of gifts.  He brings them to children on Christmas Eve in his sleigh, pulled by his reindeers. 

The music is the piece of the Christmas holidays. The musicial wrote  a lot of songs about Chrismas. Songs like Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, white Christmas…are mentioned many times. In VietNam, we have many hymns.  

People will come to church on the evening of the 24^th. There are a lot of  interested activities. Especially,  nonreligious people will also be here  to enjoy the warm atmosphere of Christmas. They give special gift to their relatives and say Merry Christmas each other. 

CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANING 

1. Star: There is a briliant star when Jesus Chrits was born. The light of star guide people how to go to find Jesus Christ.

2. The bell: they say that it brings peace to those who listen.

3. Santa Claus: this is a old man with red clothes and a long white beard. He brings children present at Christmas

4. The candle: it mean Hope, joy, peace, love and Christ

5. The Wreath: a circle made from leaves this is symbol of the never ending eternal value of love

6. Sowman: The white snow represent God's forgiveness of our sins