Subscriber comments:

Though Christians in particulary Catholics are small numbers, minority in Thailand and even though Dec 25 is not a public holiday in Thailand, yet the Catholics (from the news report) have been having Christmas celebrations in a spirit of giving and sharing by inviting people of other faiths to join them in celebrating Christ's birthday.I believe Christians in Thailand will increase in numbers by they proclaming their faith in the open, especially at Christmas to bring others to come and know what is this Christmas all about. On the local front, BECs should joint efforts to host large scale Christmas Carols in a stadium or Community Hall for all people (other races included) to invite them and share the joy and love of Christ's birth to them. BEC members (say a zone ) could grouped together other BEC members (if not large enough- another zone to be included)- say 100 members to perform Carols and spread the cheers to others- instead of just going to Catholic homes and do a carol or two and that's it. Reaching out to more people is the way forward for the local church to expand and spread the message of Christmas as we go along the way in our celebration. Gifts could be given to poor people who turned up to witness the Christmas Carols in Community Halls or even in Stadiums or open fields.We need to reach out on a more concerted and large scale- as the television and radio DO NOT spread or show much true meaning and Christmas Carols to the masses. We need to reach out by inviting others (people of all faiths) to join in the celebration. Carols is a way to transmit the message of Christmas.Perhaps 2010 BECs and parishes could do more.