We are two days away from what seems like the happiest day of the year. No, we’re not talking about international Nut Day, (we mean, who isn’t happy on that day?) but we are talking about Christmas! The only holiday that keeps you in a good mood the entire month is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited! Thinking about the food, the company, and the gifts (duh) is enough to get you extra giddy. The fact our beloved country has become a winter wonderland on it’s own is just the icing on the holiday cake! If you go several years back, families would travel the world to grasp the Christmas spirit and see marvelous trees and witness eye opening decorations. Well, a lot has changed in the last couple of years – our beloved country has now become a winter wonderland in it’s own right. Decorations on the streets everywhere you go, Christmas spirit across the country, and last but not least, the Christmas tree in Byblos that is sweeping the hearts of people around the world!
Jbeil is a treasure on it’s own, but during the holiday season it’s takes the word treasure to another level. Don’t think we’re being biased; just ask the Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine what they have to say about it! The Wall Street Journal listed it on their list of “Christmas Trees Around The World” while Forbes listed it as one of the “Most Wonderfully Bizarre Christmas Trees.” With Lebanon’s unfortunate bad media coverage throughout the years, we feel a warm sense of pride wash over us as we are featured amongst the best in the world (which any Lebanese person can tell you they knew that without being featured in an article). Last year the tree debuted a beautiful gold colored leaf tree that stood in the center of Byblos while this year the tree took a different turn. This Christmas, the tree took on an architectural gold design with rock like formations that stands for a lot more than just holiday cheer. It embodies the city’s desire to move forward while still preserving it’s storied past. For those of us who have lived most of our lives in Lebanon the tree symbolizes a lot than just a pretty decoration. It combines opposing elements that come from the Byblos’s history. It symbolizes the ancient and modern times while expressing the countries unity and diversity.
It’s so beautiful we just might just have to pay it a few more visits – if you need us, you know where we’ll be spending our Christmas!
