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Christmas Decors, Filipino Style: Belen

Another Christmas staple in the Philippines, and is quite possibly the most significant (if one was to ask devout Catholics), is the Belen.

Named for the Spanish term for Bethlehem, the Belen depicts the Nativity scene. That is, the scene wherein the betrothed virgin Mary conceived Jesus Christ. In addition to Mary and the infant Jesus, also represented in various depictions of the nativity scene are Mary’s husband Joseph, the three wise men (magi), shepherds, angels and various animals.

While the nativity scene has long been depicted in various paintings and illustration, the first three dimensional representation of the Nativity scene was conceptualized and subsequently created by St. Francis of Assissi in 1223. According to his biography, St. Francis was inspired by his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he was able to visit Jesus’ supposed birthplace.

El Caganer (the defecator) as depicted [defected? :)] in the official nativity scene in Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume.

El Caganer (the defecator) as depicted [defected? :)] in the official nativity scene in Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume.

In other countries, there some variations in their depiction of the belen. In the Vatican, the location was once changed from the manger to Joseph’s house. In England, there is a tradition of baking mince pie in the shape of a manger which would hold the infant Jesus until dinnertime, upon which the pie was eaten.

The strangest variation would have to be that of the Catalonian region of Spain. In there, they include a figurine in the nativity called the El Caganer (the defecator). As the name implies, the figurine is depicted as a peasant with his trousers down, showing a bare backside, and defecating. People in that region believe that El Caganer, by creating faeces, is fertilizing the earth.

In the Philippines, belens can be seen in various places in the country, from schools, government facilities, private offices, churches, and even in some residences. Larger than life versions of the Belen have become popular attraction in many shopping centers.

In the United States, there has been series strange occurrences which the public has taken to calling “Baby Jesus Theft”. Numerous communities across their country have reported instances of theft of baby Jesus figurines from outdoor public and private nativity displays during the Christmas Season. While it has been concluded that the act was just a result of teenage pranks, the prevalence of the theft has prompted owners of outdoor nativity scenes to protect their property with GPS devices and / or surveillance cameras.