‘Tis the season when twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and Santa figurines take center stage in homes across the land. But the parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo is suggesting a festive throwback that might just make your Christmas merrier.
Why not flex a Belén at home? It’s a delightful representation of the Nativity scene, where Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are nestled in a humble stable, surrounded by shepherds, angels, and the Three Wise Men—a heartwarming reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
“For the celebration of Christmas, I am encouraging all our families, barangay-communities to put up the nativity scene in our homes,” said Msgr. Geronimo Reyes in a circular.
To bring this timeless Pinoy tradition back to life, the priest urged families to deck their halls with the Belén in their homes, starting on the Third Sunday of Advent and slowly adding each element until Christmas Eve.
It’s like a Christmas countdown, but with more meaning as the grand finale is on Christmas Eve, when the Infant Jesus is gently placed in the manger, completing the scene just in time for the most magical night of the year.
So, why not take a step back and relish this beautiful throwback? After all, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
And for the Curious George out there, we’ve got some videos to help you get creative with your very own Belén:
