Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Christmas as a candy cane By Leticia Suarez-Orendain
Man is a maker of symbols.
The cave paintings found in Lascaux, France, depict faithful renditions of horses in graceful flight and bulls in mad stampede as though the unknown artist sought to remind himself of a victorious hunt or a coming chase.
Experts are divided as to the function of these breathtaking mnemonics—perhaps an equivalent of today’s newspaper, or a religious emblem, or a ceremonial purpose.
Who knows! What remains is proof that man always has an intimate view of his seasons and tides.
Christmas owns a handful of symbols that man created lest he forget the reason why he rejoices during this festive time: Through the rugged manger the Savior became one of us. Through the tree, salvation entered humanity.
To give this story a personal touch, we asked a couple of friends their own take on some traditional symbols of Christmas.
The Candy Cane. A beneficiary of SOS Children’s Village Cebu, Precy Avila, 12, is a fourth grade pupil of Talamban Elementary School and likes Math.
“A candy cane is like a real cane. It symbolizes help or aid to anybody that needs it, especially the less fortunate. It helps a person walk and move around easily. But since it is a candy cane, it means it is sweet as a candy, a favorite treat of children. Christmas is the time for giving and how sweet it is to give, to be able to help. I’m a child staying in SOS. There are some people who help us who don’t even give their names. I think these people are candy canes in our lives. I also give gifts to other people in need in my school. I take a portion from my small school allowance so that I can give,” Precy said in Cebuano.
The Poinsettia. Zailah Abregoso, 41, is a mother of two and a pre-school teacher of Precious Jewels. She does flower arrangements for special occasions as a hobby.
“The poinsettia has other shades, but red is its traditional color. Even if it’s mixed with other flowers, it still stands out as a symbol of Christmas.
Today, they force-bloom pointsettias, but in the natural they bloom only at Christmastime. It is the symbol of the fulfillment of the promised Savior, Jesus Christ. It took time, but the prophecy was fulfilled.”
The Manger. June Layao, SOS Cebu senior social worker for the past 13 years. “The manger can be likened to a crib. But how does it differ from cribs in homes? The manger is laid down with straws and is amid sheep, goats and cows. Jesus, though King of Kings, lies in it and is kept warm with the needle-like straws in the manger. This embodies real humility.”
The Star. Maria Albeth Flordelis, 36, is a visually impaired pre-school teacher at the Cebu Braille Center. “Where there is light there is peace. Light counters darkness, the symbol of evil and lack of peace. Light is good. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and Hope.”
The Shepherds. Ryan Operario, 26, is a secondary education teacher at Cebu Braille Center. He has low vision caused by optic atrophy (deterioration of the optic nerve).
“In His ministry, Christ claimed to be the ‘Shepherd of the Lost Sheep.’ From His time up to this age, man is like lost sheep apart from Him. The shepherds were first to hear the Good News and were blessed by Jesus. We can be blessed, too, if we follow Jesus.”
