On Christmas Eve, crowds scrambled to capture the scene as stars—Pingtung’s Our Lady of Snows Shrine appeared to float in the Milky Way

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive report

On the evening of December 24th, Christmas Eve, the Our Lady of Snows Shrine was packed with people celebrating the holiday. When the 3D light show illuminated the shrine and sparkled against the night sky, the lights from the mobile phone screens of the crowd below looked like twinkling stars, making the shrine seem as if it were floating in the Milky Way—an incredibly beautiful sight.


▲ Pingtung Christmas Season. (Photo / Provided by Pingtung County Government)

This year (2013), the Pingtung Christmas Season introduced creative elements such as 3D landscape art, 3D light projections, a Christmas-themed pavilion, and the anime virtual character “Lost Little Maria.” The Our Lady of Snows Shrine has become extremely popular on media and online platforms. Almost every Saturday and Sunday, the village of Wanjin is packed to capacity, with many international visitors also making the trip. It is estimated that since the lighting ceremony launched on November 30th, over one million pilgrims have visited.

Christmas Eve is the highlight of the Pingtung Christmas Season series of events. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the Our Lady of Snows Shrine hosted the “Angels’ Christmas Eve” concert and held a ceremony to welcome the Christ Child. The Wanjin area is divided into seven zones, with one household in one of the zones selected each year to host the Christ Child’s birth. This year, the Christ Child descended at the home of Pan Meng-Qing, a parishioner in Chishan Village. A husband-and-wife duo from the Holy Family Fellowship played Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, pulling a ox cart alongside the priest to welcome the child.

 
▲ The highlight—the 3D light projection show—uses light and shadow projection technology to showcase the century-old shrine in dazzling splendor. (Photo / Provided by Pingtung County Government)

The highlight—the 3D light projection show—uses light and shadow projection technology to showcase the century-old shrine in dazzling splendor. To allow more people to enjoy the show, after discussions between the county government and the Our Lady of Snows Shrine, additional projection shows were added without affecting the regular Mass and ceremonies. On the evening of December 24th, the shows were held at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 11:50 p.m. By midnight, the square and surrounding areas of the shrine were packed with people. The streets were deserted as everyone gathered to count down to the arrival of Christmas, exchanging Christmas greetings. Instead of fireworks, the shrine released balloons, bringing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.