austraLasia - 5916(I)_What is Christmas really about for Thai Youth?

By Fr. Francis Ronnachai, SDB

Don Bosco School Udonthani, Thailand, 23 December 2022 -- 'What is Christmas really about?' For thousands of students of other religions in Thailand's Don Bosco schools there is not an easy answer. But our students have a good chance to get a deeper insight in to the 'Christmas story' and into the 'Christ-like' mindset of Laudato Si' (Eco-Christmas), caring for our common home.

The St. Dominic School family (Bangkok) prepares the hearts of our students and teachers to share their joy in welcoming Christ on this Christmas. This year, we acknowledge the message of Pope Francis in his Encyclical 'Laudato Si', to care for our environment - our common home. Therefore, in all activities we have tried to follow his message, including setting up the Christmas crib this way. Moreover, this environmental care is an activity along the lines of the Don Bosco Green Alliance that aims to protect our nature.

Apart from the beauty of the St. Dominic family's Christmas crib, we can see the intention of the builders, who expressed their love in the creation of the crib from scratch, which is both beautiful and environmentally friendly. Everyone plays important roles in helping each other to protect and build a happy environment in their class. The Christmas crib competition is only one aspect of the holiday season, but the result is the pride and happiness that the superiors, teachers, parents, and students feel when they see and touch the beauty that has grown in the heart of the St. Dominic family.

In this important event, we produced a short video clip that expresses the message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si' and followed the policy of the Don Bosco Green Alliance to celebrate an Eco-Christmas. The message that we would like to spread is to let everyone understand that this planet is our common home and that all of us have a role to play in protecting our common home. We can all work together to make our world a better place. And keep in mind that all things created are associated.

Other Don Bosco schools in Thailand try to bring the meaning of Jesus Birth Celebrations to their students too. So you can enjoy the 3 Episodes of 'Salesian Christmas Catechesis' from Udonthani Don Bosco school. Students made videos to bring the heart of Christmas with Jesus-Light, Jesus-Peace and Jesus-Gift to all of us!

We wish you a Merry Christmas 2022!