“EVERYTHING is nothing without Him. Dear Jesus, I lift up to you my talent, passion and skills to remind others the true meaning of CHRISTmas.” - Karu Villanueva for the Metro Fashion Ball by Don Cristobal (December 17 at the Events Pavillion 500 Shaw Centrum, Mandaluyong).
The word nativity is taken from the Latin "nativus", which means "arisen by birth." The nativity scene is indeed a joyous, commemorative, and common sight in Christmas time depicting the night of Jesus' birth with Baby Jesus in a manger, Mother Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the three wise men, and Angel Gabriel.
It is said that St. Francis of Assisi created the very first nativity scene in 1223 in an effort to promote the true meaning of Christmas and to worship Jesus. This became popular, and soon became a Christmas tradition.
The most important thing about the nativity is its message to the world. Because our sin requires a perfect sacrifice before a holy and just God, our Heavenly Father sent His own Son to Earth as man so that He could become that sacrifice (John 3:16). The child who was born to Mary and laid in a manger would one day grow up to die on a cross and rise again so each and every person who believes in Him may receive forgiveness for sin and have eternal life in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).
Photos by Edmund Ong Chua II of FAB Manila, Ryan Aguas, Stan de la Cruz, Dion Besa of the Qrown Philippines, Liezl Enrile, Angela Camaquin, and Osharé. Angel Lee Villanueva (villanueva_angel25@yahoo.com).