Merry Xmas Gingerbread Man

Photo scanned from a christmas greeting card.

We celebrate Jesus' Life from Mary's Immaculate Conception, His Birth, visit of the 3 Wise men (Epiphany), His Sufferings, Death and Resurrection, His Ascension to heaven, the Holy Pentecost and Corpus Christi (Body of Christ).

The story goes like this: Mary was married to Joseph and Elizabeth was her sister. An Angel of God visited Mary and announced, Hail Mary! Full of grace, the Lord is with Thee, Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb...(Jesus). Same thing happened to Elizabeth, an Angel of God also visited her. She bore John the Baptist. Mary's Immaculate Conception is always celebrated on 8th of December.

In some countries, some carolers sing songs from door to door before Christmas and the owners of the households donate some money or gifts. All Roman Catholics celebrate Christmas Day on the 25th of December, we exchange gifts but we forget that it is Jesus' Birthday. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem since nobody gave Mary and Joseph proper accommodation. Actually, we should sing Happy Birthday, Jesus! Happy Birthday, Jesus! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Jesus! Tra-la-la!

In some countries like the Philippines, the Day of the Innocents is celebrated on 28th December. This is to commemorate the innocent slaying of many male children under two years old ordered by King Herod. The 3 Wise men were following the bright star which was brightly shining on a stable where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying. They brought with them Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gold was fit for a King, Frankincence symbolized humility and Myhrr came from a THORNY shrub. Oh, Uh! Gift from a thorny shrub and thorns on Jesus head during His Passion, what a coincidence! After the visit of the Magi, the killer commando was looking for the holy family but they left and fled to Egypt. Jesus was seen as a threat to Herod's throne.

The 6th of January is Christmas Day of the Orthodox Christians but it is the Roman Catholics' remembrance of the visit of the 3 Wise men or Kings or Magi. In most European countries, there are carolers dressed up like 3 Wise men who knock from door to door. They will recite some prayers and afterwards, one of them will write with a chalk 20 + C+ M + B + 12 on the door. 20 in front and 12 at the end stand for the year. C stands for Caspar, M stands for Melchior and B stands for Baltazar. The money collection will be donated to the church help organizations. It is believed that the skull relic remains of the 3 Magi could be found in Cologne Cathedral, Germany. The skulls were brought by the Templar Knights from the Orient after they conquered Jerusalem.