All about Christmas

Chrismas tree, Parol and the Stocking

Among many other things that Christmas can't be celebrated without, is Christmas tree. The first Christmas tree is the Norway Spruce. It first grew in North America about 8 million years ago . When we put candles or Christmas lights on a Christmas tree, we are following traditions of ancient Rome. Candle lighting at Christmas tree began in ancient Rome. Romans, aware of the changing seasons, lit fires to encourage the return of spring. During their Saturnia, a week long feasting and revelty, the Romans adorned their homes with lighted candles and greenery.

Here in the Philippines, Christmas spirit would never be complete without the Christmas lantern or the Parol. It symbolizes the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of the newly born Jesus Christ. The word "Parol" came from the Spanish word for lantern, "farol". It was originally used to light the way of the Churches goers who wanted the Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, the nine-day novena before Christmas, starting on the 16th day of December.

Christmas also can't be completed without the Christmas stocking. A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that is hung on Christmas eve so that Santa Claus(or Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys,candy,fruit,coins or other other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often reffered to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. Tradition in western culture threatens that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece or pile of coal. However, coal is rarely if ever left in a stocking, as it is considered cruel. Some people even put their Christmas stockings by their bed posts so Santa can fill it by the bed while they sleep.