Christmas in Hanoi

December 2017

The Vietnamese only celebrate the commercial side of Christmas. It is difficult to find any signs of a nativity, here in public, let alone any representation of Jesus Christ and the real meaning of Christmas. We made our own Christ-centered celebration within our branches, and in our home and heart.  

left to right: The Thomasons, Nana and Luke Tateoka, Rachel and Justin Rogers

We went out to dinner with friends. All three of us, women, serve in the women’s organization in the Long Bien Branch. 

The YSA, members as well as investigators, painted a backdrop for a nativity scene and sewed costumes to put on a nativity at our branch, the Saturday before Christmas. We then invited everyone we could think of and put a sign out in front of the chapel to invite in anyone who was interested in our Church to come and join our celebration. We presented the nativity in Vietnamese and had a translated copy of the Elder Uchtdorf’s Christmas address for people to listen to. After the presentation, We served a ham dinner.  To our surprise and delight, more than 60 people came. Sharing the Gospel and remembering Jesus Christ, His life, and his sacrifice for us is what Christmas is all about. Many contacts were made and some very choice people are now receiving missionary discussions.

Christmas Day was spent having the Long Bien missionaries over to our apartment to make their missionary calls to their family. We had a Christmas dinner for them and they presented a program.

Lam, a terrific 19 year old young man, decided to have his baptism the week after Christmas. He struggles, like most young converts, with his parents accepting his choice. He is strong and dedicated to the Savior. We love having his happy attitude in our branch.

I love the dedication of the missionaries and working with the Spirit. This is one Christmas we will remember for a very long time. We start the new year with eagerness and enthusiasm.