Telling the Christmas story in a way that feels new is no easy task, especially when the biblical narrative has been heard countless times across generations.
Yet this was precisely the challenge Fr. Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej embraced as he led the production of a special Christmas program for the Catholic Media of Thailand this year.
Fr. Anucha, secretary general of the Office of Social Communication Thailand (CSCT) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), said the project began with a simple but demanding question: how to communicate the familiar Nativity story, in a non-Christian country like Thailand, in a way that resonates meaningfully with today’s audiences.
“Christmas is the greatest story ever told, but it has also been told repeatedly,” he told LiCAS News. “The challenge is not the story itself, but how we help people rediscover its meaning amid a fast-paced and noisy world.”
Drawing on decades of experience in Catholic media, Fr. Anucha reflected on earlier approaches when the Church invested heavily in purchasing television airtime for Christmas programs.
While well-intentioned, he said such efforts were difficult to evaluate and often reached limited audiences, especially before the digital era.
“Over time, we realized that Christmas communication does not necessarily require large budgets or grand productions,” he said. “What matters is authenticity, clarity of faith, and relevance to society.”
With the evolution of digital media and renewed readiness among Catholic communicators, the decision was made to revive a Christmas special, this time designed for broader access and lasting impact.
The result was “Hope Among Us… Christmas in the Holy Year,” aired nationwide on Christmas Eve.
At the heart of the program was Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondrattana of Bangkok and CBCT president, whose pastoral background in catechesis shaped the program’s core message.
According to Fr. Anucha, the archbishop’s ability to explain the faith clearly and naturally allowed the conversation to unfold without rigid scripting.
The program was hosted by Niina Sutita Ruangronghiranya, a well-known media personality with a strong Catholic foundation. She emphasized that faith-based media requires not only professional skill but also personal understanding of the Church’s teachings.
“In Catholic work, we often speak of God’s plan,” she said, “but human effort and preparation are equally important.”
Structured in three parts, the program guided viewers through a gradual rediscovery of Christmas, beginning with the question, “Is Christmas real?” before exploring its Christian meaning and concluding with reflections on popular cultural symbols such as carols, decorations, and festivities, always returning to the central message of faith, hope, joy, and love.
Music played a key role in conveying that message. Instead of elaborate performances, the production opted for simple, family-style Christmas carols, performed by Catholic musicians, religious sisters, and young artists who volunteered their talents.
Fr. Anucha described the collaboration as an expression of shared faith rather than professional obligation.
“The spirit was one of service,” he said. “Everyone contributed not for recognition, but out of love.”
The program was recorded on December 19 at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok under tight time constraints, requiring last-minute adjustments.
Despite the challenges, Fr. Anucha said the experience became a moment of unity and calm rather than stress.
“In the end, it was not perfection that mattered,” he said. “It was peace, the peace we hoped to share with others.”
That sense of peace resonated with viewers.
Benjamas, a retired teacher, said the program showed “how Christmas can quietly transform lives.” Nattaporn, a young viewer from northeastern Loei province, said the presentation held her attention from beginning to end. “It felt different, deeper, yet simple,” she said.
Others noted the program’s professionalism and accessibility. “The content was familiar, but the presentation was fresh and engaging,” said Assadang, a Bangkok resident. “It avoided being predictable.”
The program also reached beyond the Catholic community. Nittaya, one of many Buddhist viewers, said it offered insight into “a world I had never seen before,” while another viewer, Pornpit, praised its balance between tradition and creativity.
Fr. Anucha said such responses affirmed the program’s purpose.
“Christmas did not begin with wealth or excess,” he said. “It began with humility, love, and hope. That is the message we wanted to share.”
He added that Catholic media in Thailand will continue to collaborate with partners across sectors to serve both Church and society. “Our mission,” he said, “is to be a beacon of hope, among ourselves and for the world we live in.”
