Today there was an article in our paper about a nativity scene in another town. The life-sized figures not only depicted the traditional, divine event, but several "additional people” were added to put a group’s spin on the setting. The article was about the desecration of the additional people, which had been knocked over and destroyed.
This has been the year of “additional people” in the scene which has always represented the holiest time of year for a lot of people. In many novelty stores, on the web, and on greeting cards, during Christmas, the most diverse of nativities can be found. Some range from cutsie; the doggie manger scene with real dogs all dressed in Bethlehem costumes including a Yorkie in the hay, to downright obnoxious; huge, hideous aliens from outer space occupying the sacred tableau. Can you picture those other-worldly empty eyes staring up from the crèche?
I love Christmas and all it means to us and feel quite certain that in our home we’ve achieved a balance between Santa and all he means to the children, and the true meaning of the celebration of the birth of Christ with all its representations. I’m not against fun and jolliness and love a play on words of a favorite carol; “Wee fish ewe a mare egrets moose…” complete with pictures. But I wonder why our sweet depictions of Jesus’ birth have to be tainted with political or comedic messages. And just for the record, I also hate it when Santa is shown as evil or a bumbling buffoon.
Doubtful that I’d ever lower myself to attacking and ruining almost anything someone else has created, I do understand the feeling when the object itself degrades my core beliefs.
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