The Nativity Scene of Jesus

In the Christian world, the Nativity Scene comprising of art objects representing the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ symbolizes the Christmas Season in Churches, chapels, shopping malls, houses and other public places. It reminds Christians of the true meaning of the Christmas Season. The Nativity Scene is also known as the Manger Scene, Crib or Belen.

We welcome back the Christmas Season with the display of the Belen in Churches and chapels which we sorely missed during the pandemic when Masses before congregation were suspended for health precautions.  

The Nativity Scene in Churches and chapel brightens the celebration of the nine-day dawn Masses or Misa de Gallo. Christmas without the Nativity Scene is just bleak.

The Christmas Nativity Scene generally has same elements of the Child Jesus in a manger, His mother Mary, His earthly father Joseph, shepherds, angels, the three wise men or Magi, and various barn animals.

The Belen helps us to reflect on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. It reminds everyone, especially the poor and the less fortunate, about God's begotten Son who took our human form to redeem humanity from sin. The infant Jesus in the manger helps us to contemplate the mystery of God's love who revealed Himself in the simplicity and poverty of the Bethlehem cave.

That is why the baby Jesus in the manger helps us to understand the true meaning of Christmas as it speaks of humility and the merciful goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who "though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor". (2 Cor 8:9)

Come, let us adore the Baby Jesus in the manger of our hearts.

Biblical trivia:

St. Francis of Assisi is attributed as the creator of the very first Nativity Scene in 1223 in his effort to promote the true meaning of Christmas and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. His idea caught on, and soon a new Christmas tradition of the Belen was born.

In the Philippines, the Belen was introduced to Filipinos by the Spaniards in 1565.

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to all!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!