Fr. Chris Alar tells how the Christmas Tree and its elements came about.See the Christmas party at the Association of Marian Helpers at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy.

On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and have served our country, both past and present. In fact, one of our Marian Saints, St. Stanislaus Papczynski, had a special devotion to ministering to soldiers, and that tradition continues today among the Marian Fathers.

Fr. Chris Alar explains how we got the traditions of the Christmas tree, candles in windows, tinsel, the 12 days of Christmas, and more.