Most church cribs are pretty good in my opinion.
And, of late, garden centres and cash and carries have started retailing two foot high crib figures, so there may be a resurgence of displays in shop windows in the future.
It would seem to me, that church groups might well start a fundraising campaign to buy crib figures that they can loan out to interested retailers at Christmas.
Some years ago the Red Cross organisation (apart from denying that their 'cross' had anything to do with Christianity) placed a ban on cribs being displayed in their shop windows.
And now, in the American Forces canteen in the encampment at Guantanamo Bay, I read that a crib (what do they call them in the US?) put in place by some members of a construction team, has had to be removed to a chapel just in case anyone becomes overcome by fundamentalist tendencies and starts reciting the Rosary or something.
Having also read today in The Daily Fascist, that most young people believe that Father Christmas appears in the Bible, it might be a much needed initiative.
But, please tell me, don't you think that the crib below is quite the best in the country?
It is the work of Fr Jason Jones of The Sacred Heart Church in Morriston, near Swansea.
And, of late, garden centres and cash and carries have started retailing two foot high crib figures, so there may be a resurgence of displays in shop windows in the future.
It would seem to me, that church groups might well start a fundraising campaign to buy crib figures that they can loan out to interested retailers at Christmas.
Some years ago the Red Cross organisation (apart from denying that their 'cross' had anything to do with Christianity) placed a ban on cribs being displayed in their shop windows.
And now, in the American Forces canteen in the encampment at Guantanamo Bay, I read that a crib (what do they call them in the US?) put in place by some members of a construction team, has had to be removed to a chapel just in case anyone becomes overcome by fundamentalist tendencies and starts reciting the Rosary or something.
Having also read today in The Daily Fascist, that most young people believe that Father Christmas appears in the Bible, it might be a much needed initiative.
But, please tell me, don't you think that the crib below is quite the best in the country?
It is the work of Fr Jason Jones of The Sacred Heart Church in Morriston, near Swansea.
Every detail is there, just as it probably was in Bethlehem; there are a few chickens nestling down in the straw, the odd lamb, of course, a duck or two (why not?).
And, if you take your time to study all of the scene, you may see other animals, such as.........but look for yourself.
Let me help you out, there's a donkey, all the way from Finestrat, maybe. Some glowing lanterns.
What's that on the sack of grain?
A rat! Heavens above! But what would be more natural to find in a stable?
Even the Vatican has its share of rodents who like nothing better than to gnaw away at the heart of the Church.
Now, you may think (depending upon your attitude towards felines) that there's an animal species missing.
Here they are (groan)....
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Could they have travelled all the way from Blogfen?
No crib is complete without a hen
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Kitty cats from Blogfen and rats too... Annie Elizabeth's (Defende Nos in Proelio) children breed rats and discuss the genetic crosses they get (homeschoolers doing practical genetics before hitting Yr 7) !!!
ReplyDeleteMac: that just reinforces my view that Blogfen is truly an extraordinary place.
DeleteTo be fair to the Red Cross, their symbol is at best only tangentially a Christian one, it being a reversal of the Swiss flag, chosen, if I remember correctly, so as to be distinct from the flags of all nations. All that makes the adoption of the red crescent by that organisation, or its equivalent in mohammedan lands, all the less tolerable.
ReplyDeleteBTW Simon, I completely agree with your comment re the Red Crescent.
DeleteBTW Simon, I completely agree with your comment regarding the Red Crescent....and I haven't heard the word 'mohammedan' used since the fifth form! Excellent!
DeleteSimon, St Camillus wore the red cross and he devoted his later life to caring for the sick. There is a school of thought that places him as the inspiration for the Red Ross, but, they will deny it.
ReplyDeleteYou also notice what's missing from this scene? Jesus. No seriously, look closely. There is NO infant Jesus in this nativity scene at all!
ReplyDeleteSamantha, the infant Jesus arrives just before Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteOops. Sorry
DeleteI was raised a Methodist and converted to Catholicism two years ago, so I'm not used to some of the christmas traditions yet. My mistake.
DeleteSamantha, you are doing brilliantly. I make lots of mistakes and I'm a cradle Catholic! God bless.
DeleteChristian traditions can be confusing. A few years back someone noticed a department store in Tokyo had amongst its Xmas decorations a crucified Santa.
ReplyDeleteJohn, that's very Japanese!
DeleteRichard, have you ever seen some of the Spanish cribs? They are truly amazing. Some of the most elaborately decorated ones have a whole Bethlehem village of figures going about their business (e.g. bakers, millers, blacksmiths, children playing etc.) with the little stable containing the Holy Family being the one in the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteIt is also an old custom to go round the city looking at different "belenes" with the children. I was doing that yesterday! There are too many to be able to see all of them. Some are under cover and quite a few had long queues outside.
In this way Spain is still a very Catholic country, Deo gratias. :-)
Veronica, alas, I have never been in Spain at this time of year. They have the same custom of 'crib viewing' in Malta. But, in UK terms, I think that the one I featured is the best.
ReplyDelete