Saturday Photo(s)

 

Yep, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"... well, at least in my second home it is only 'beginning' to look a lot like Christmas, 'cause it's been looking a lot like Christmas in most parts of the Philippines since after 'Undas' (All Saints Day and All Souls Day).  In most part of the country, it's been looking (and sounding) like Christmas since September!  

We love Christmas in this part of the world.  In fact, we did display our new little Nativity Scene

with a bunch of 'Christmassy' little things in our second home... also after Undas.  Well, what can I say, we are Filipinos to the core, especially when it comes to celebrating Christmas!  

We do believe that Christ is, indeed, the 'reason for the season'.  And so, what is more important is preparing ourselves to renew our being one with our Lord.  We prepare to accept the Baby Jesus in our homes, in our hearts and in our lives... and be renewed by the immeasurable love that is the very meaning of His birth.  Therefore, before we get lost in the twinkles of glittering Christmas lights and the razzle-dazzle of Christmas parties, we remind ourselves of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas.  And, usually, the Nativity Scene is the most important 'physical reminder'.  So, in our family's practice, the nativity scene always comes first.  Along with it is the Christmas wreath with advent candles - a reminder of how the whole Christian world come together in prayer to prepare for the birth of Jesus.  All the rest of decorations come later.  And, anyway, it is so complicated to put up Christmas tree and hang Christmas lights and other decorations... and getting them down and storing them away is even more painful!  So, even if I did give in to 'national pressure' and put up Christmas tree and lights today, sometimes, I question myself about putting up Christmas decorations... well, aside from the nativity scene and Christmas wreath thats is.  We only have two kids in our huge family now who still appreciate sparkly Christmas decors (uhm, at least, for a few minutes... and then back to their gadgets).  All the rest are just a bunch of 'big kids'... who just want to sleep all day during Christmas break! 🙋😅

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Image credit:  All photos in this entry belong to me, and may not be used without permission. 

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