SEOUL (UCAN): Catholic parishes in Seoul set up unique Christmas nativity scenes depicting war scenes, and handwritten Bible manuscripts to raise awareness about suffering and charity. One nativity scene titled, “War and peace, life and death,” was a reminder of the impact of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Father Song Cha-seon, parish priest of the Muk-dong Catholic Church observed.
“I planned the [nativity scene] to help believers look at [it] and meditate on what it means and what message it will give,” Father Song said.
“There is definitely a reason for the baby Jesus to come because our hearts are devastated as we look at the terrible war taking place in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip in the Middle East today,” Song added.
The crèche is made up of small statues of the Child Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. However, the stable and its surroundings represent the devastation faced by Gazans. The walls of the stable are partially collapsed with the roof having holes in various places and supported by a single post.
A basket of food is toppled and its contents scattered. Machine guns, scattered shell casings, remains of buildings collapsed by bombings, and charred trees are also shown in the nativity scene.
There is definitely a reason for the baby Jesus to come because our hearts are devastated as we look at the terrible war taking place in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip in the Middle East today
An electric pole is also shown to have sustained so much damage as if it would collapse at anytime.
Father Song pointed out that the nativity scene was placed with a special meaning, “which changed the community’s attitude toward Christmas.”
Beginning this year, the parish plans to produce a Christmas creche with a theme selected through a contest among parish members.
Gwangjang-dong parish in Seoul, set up a nativity scene and Christmas tree made up of 410 Bible notes from the New Testament written by 90 of its parishioners.
Francis Lee Yang-moo, head of the parish education department, said the experience of preparing the tree brought him closer to the Bible and the parishioners were impressed with the result.
“The believers who thought it was an ordinary tree are coming closer and seeing the written notes attached,” Lee said.
Francis Lee Yang-moo, head of the parish education department, said the experience of preparing the tree brought him closer to the Bible and the parishioners were impressed with the result
The parishioners “are amazed that it is a tree whose pillars and branches are made up of the [Bible verses],” he added.
The bottom of the tree was supported by a wooden piece, and handwritten notes were inserted vertically into each tier.
Umyeon-dong parish set up its Christmas “Hope Tree,” decorated with the names of the donors to its “Very Precious” shelter for lonely, middle-aged people, in operation since 2019.
In a December 2 event organised by Betania’s house, donors were awarded wings with their names written on them, and the same was later hung on the Christmas tree on December 14.
Lucia Shim Jae-oh expressed happiness for the opportunity to become an “angel of hope”.
Shim said., “I wanted to donate, but I didn’t know where or how to do it, but [they] recommended a meaningful place, so I was able to donate [happily].”
Father Byun Woo-chan, the parish priest “wanted to include the love of believers in the tree.”
He added, “I hope the [Christmas] tree can show that ‘love’ is more beautiful than any fancy decoration,” he added.
In 2022, the Archdiocese of Seoul installed a Christmas tree with charred branches and logs of trees from a forest fire in Gangwon-do to raise awareness of environmental issues and the climate crisis.
This report is brought to you in partnership with the Catholic Times of Korea.
