![]() ![]() This decoration is one of the quintessential Christmas favorites, and is usually seen hanging on doors. It was said that on his feast day, parents would give gifts to their children in his honor. Saint Nicholas was a very generous Greek bishop, most famously known for providing three impoverished women with dowries. We know him as the jolly old man in a red suit who gives gifts to good boy and girls (and likes milk and cookies), but actually, the idea of Santa Claus originated from Saint Nicholas. Legend aside, some say that the shape of the poinsettia leaves is also a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem, and that the red color is a symbol of Christ’s love for us, as well as his death on the cross. The next day, the weeds were said to have grown into poinsettias. Inspired by an angel, she gathered weeds by the roadside, and left it at the church altar. The poinsettia is a flower indigenous to Mexico, where legend tells of a girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. If you have a bigger belen, then there’s also the shepherds who come to visit Jesus, and their sheep! There’s Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus in a manger. ![]() The figurines–whether wax, wood, glass, metal, etc.–are all representations of each of the people who were present during the birth of Christ. The belen is another popular Filipino Christmas decoration. It also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, and the Filipinos’ hope and goodwill during the Christmas season. It is supposed to represent the Star of Bethlehem–the star that the Three Kings or Wise Men followed to the infant Jesus. The parol is one of the most popular Filipino Christmas decorations. The green color is supposedly a sign of life, especially in other countries where it is difficult to see green in the winter. ![]() ![]() Even in malls we see Christmas trees that reach up to 50 feet, or more! But the Christmas tree is actually a symbol of Christ as the tree of life. Usually, whenever we decorate our homes the Christmas tree is always the center of attention. So as a bit of a reminder, we put together some of the most popular Christmas items, and explained how they’re related to Christmas. Do you feel the Christmas spirit in the air yet? With all the decorations in your home, at the mall, and almost everywhere you go, it’s hard not to get in a festive mood, right? But with the industrialization of Christmas, it’s also very easy to forget about what these things really mean. ![]()
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