Every December, The whole Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus with great joy and mirth, but nowhere is it celebrated with more pageantry than in the Philippines. Pampanga's churches, with the help of the local communities prepare by staging the Nativity Scene--or Belen-- before the altar, to be reflected upon during the dawn masses or Simbang Bengi. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with making the first nativity scene in 1223 to shift emphasis to Christ rather than gift-giving. In Pampanga, those in charge of staging the Belen take great efforts to make the tableau truly artistic. All sorts of materials go into the making of the stable--cut bamboo, old house parts, sawali, palm leaves, outlumber posts, old capiz windows. Here are a few examples:
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| BELEN, Church of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, ANGELES CITY |
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| BELEN, San Guillermo Church, BACOLOR (Pix:Jerry Punzalan Sagmit) |
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| BELEN, San Andres Parish, CANDABA. (Photo by Fr.Greg Vega, 2014) |
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| BELEN, Immaculate Conception Church. GUAGUA.(Pix: Jerry P. Sagmit) |
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| BELEN, Divine Grace Parish. MABALACAT. (2015 photo) |
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| BELEN, San Bartolome Parish, MAGALANG. (Pix: Lou Aldrin L. Bartolo) |
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| BELEN, Sta. Monica Parish, MEXICO. (Pix: Reichardt Lionel, 2010) |
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| BELEN.Sta. Maria de Tabungao Chapel, MINALIN (Pix:Reggie S.Budoso) |
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| BELEN. Sta. Catalina Parish. PORAC. (Pix: Jerry P. Sagmit) |
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| BELEN.San Fernando Cathedral.SAN FERNANDO. (Pix:Msgr. Gene Reyes) |
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| BELEN. Sta. Ana Parish. STA. ANA (Pix: Wee Licup, 2009) |
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| BELEN. Sta. Lucia Parish. SASMUAN (Pix: Drei Sarmiento) |
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