But another corner of the Christian village in northeastern Thailand seems different. especially in the Archdiocese of Tha Rae-Nong Saeng which covers an area of 4 provinces: Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin and Mukdahan Filled with an atmosphere of brotherly solidarity. who join forces to prepare to celebrate Christmas by making stars and the Cave of the Infant Help decorate and decorate the temple of the village to be beautiful. including their homes to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ The faith that continues for more than 100 years until it becomes a tradition on the night of December 24th of every year and is known as “The Tradition of Christmas Stars” The main center is at the Archangel Cathedral, Ban Tha Rae, Muang District, Sakon Nakhon Province.
star in christianity symbolic means the birth of the Lord Jesus and as a means of guiding the astrologers to meet the baby Jesus in the cave at Bethlehem Palestine Eastern people believe that everyone is born with a personal star, especially important people with merit. Personal stars will be brighter than usual, easy to notice. Therefore it is not uncommon when Jesus was born. His personal star would be visible to the astrologers or wise men from the east. They followed that star to worship and offer gifts as recorded in the Bible (Matthew 2:1-12).
Since when has the tradition of parading the stars at Christmas been unidentified? But understand that it probably existed from the beginning that Christianity entered the Northeast in the year 1881 (B.E. 2424) by the leadership of Father John Baptist Please (Jean PRODHOMME) and Father Xavier Geko (Xavier GEGO), the pioneer missionary of the Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP), who teaches Christians to make stars to decorate the temple at Christmas. Along with the nature of Isaan people who are cheerful and have fun, there are traditional parades throughout the year.
From making stars to decorate temples at Christmas to the tradition of parading stars around temples or communities. before becoming a tradition of every temple Making stars to decorate temples of Catholic villages in the Archdiocese of Tha Rae-Nong Saeng It’s like doing the Cave of the Infant. and decorating Christmas trees in European countries But it’s more dynamic and evolved. There is an application to the local culture and the way of life of the community. From making stars to decorate ordinary temples, it evolved into making stars to decorate houses. Star Parade and Star Contest To carry on the faith, faith, colorful and lively. It expresses the joy of the community in the spirit of Christmas.
This Christmas tradition is the only one in the world. That is, only at the Roman Catholic Mission, Tha Rae – Nong Saeng, is an activity during the Christmas season. to remember the events that the astrologers followed a strange star to find the birthplace of Jesus at Bethlehem And the star is considered to be a symbol of the birth of Jesus.
Tha Rae village is an old Catholic community over a hundred years old. and is considered the largest Christian community in Thailand Almost every villager is a Christian. It is said that in the past, Tha Rae people were Christians. immigrated from Vietnam to be freed from forced slave labor And there are 40 people accused of being ghouls living in the city of Sakon Nakhon. with Pastor Geko French missionaries take care When the population increases and had problems with some government officials Father Geko therefore finds a location in a new village. by making a large raft made of small boats Tie the bamboo sticks together. Use blankets and stretched fabrics instead of leaves. Carry both people and baggage let the wind blow in the direction that the Lord wills Finally, they were able to cross safely to the other side of Nong Han. and resettled as a Christian community in Ban Tha Rae
The Sakon Nakhon star parade took place for the first time on December 25, 1982 (B.E. 2525) by Archbishop Laurence Caine Sanpol-on The former ruler of the Tha Rae-Nong Saeng Archdiocese between 1980-2004 (1980-2004) who wished the Christian villages in the administrative area to bring the stars that were used to parade on the night. December 24 to celebrate the birth of Jesus in their village came to join the procession again in Sakon Nakhon to support the Phra Haruthai Temple Christian group which still has a small number by assigning Tha Rae community The largest Christian village in Thailand and the center of the Archdiocese of Tha Rae – Nong Saeng Be a leader in making stars and decorating Busabok Cave of the Infant Jesus used in the procession The procession started from Sakon Nakhon City Hall to the St. Joseph Sakon Nakhon School area. before the Christmas festivities as they do in each temple
Christmas Star Parade at Tha Rae In addition to having a walking street activity for shoppers to visit and buy products On the night of December 23, there will be a big star parade from all 15 communities of Tha Rae Subdistrict Municipality. Schools in Tha Rae Subdistrict from the general public in the area and from other provinces big star car decoration decorated with colored lights There are Santa and Santai on the train. Handing out candies to people and tourists who visit with Christmas music playing Parades around Ban Tha Rae community Before parking together at Sala Martino, Tha Rae for tourists to take beautiful pictures as a souvenir Witness over 20 colorfully lit star floats
Visit the ancient sites of Christian villages. which lasts more than a hundred years including the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael Tha Rae, a century-old house, and an ancient mansion. Participate in the Palaang activity, eat Lom Chom Dao, watch variety music at Don Ken Public Park, and on December 24, join the traditional small star parade (hand held stars) at the Martino Pavilion. Marching from the area of the Martino Pavilion, Tha Rae, along the road around the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael Tha Rae 1 round, and then entering the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael Tha Rae. Participate in the mass worship ceremony by Archbishop Anton Weeradej Jaiseri And watch the drama show the history of the birth of the baby Jesus, while on December 25th, there will be a big star parade. of Catholics in 4 provinces, namely Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Kalasin, more than 300 parades, with next year adding an air star parade as well, called a parade of stars on land, stars on water and stars in the air
activity “Christmas Isan In Love 2022 @ Hae Dao Festival, Tha Rae District, Sakon Nakhon Province” Held between December 20-25, 2022. Participate in making DIY Star-shaped Rice Jee / Head Dao E Keeng / Star-shaped Cheek Mark Love Forward. Take pictures at the event, post them on social media, and draw a star to win Santa souvenirs. There are also activities “Star Parade to Countdown ISAN in Love” Delivering happiness through Isan in Love porcelain dolls, 300 privileges, given to tourists staying at accommodation / hotels in Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan for at least 2 nights between 1-31 Dec. July 2022 by bringing the receipt hotel/accommodation come to redeem at the activity zone or the TAT activity booth in the Winter Festival @ Nakhon Phanom between 26 Dec. 2022-1 Jan. 2023.
Athicha Chuenjai
