And the word became flesh...er, umm... "meat"...er, umm... "butter"....

Maybe it's because, this year, my family isn't celebrating "Little Christmas" until January 21st and I've got some extra time on my hands.

Maybe it's because I've got a Really Warped sense of humor.

My friend Marcia sent me a link to this site "The 27 (and growing) Worst Nativity Sets".

I can't stop laughing.

Seriously.

I mean, I know St. Paul said to the Church in Rome that "faith leads to works" but, I mean, Really?

He also said something about it being "better not to eat meat or drink wine than to cause a sister or brother to stumble" but I don't know if that includes Nativity Scenes made out of sausage and bacon.

I don't know if Jesus is laughing hysterically or shaking his head in dismay.

Check out this little number to your left.

Yup. That's butter.

I'm not sure if this is an act of devotion or an exercise in ..... well..... butter.

My question is, how do you keep the thing cold throughout Advent?

The thought of a rancid butter Nativity on Christmas Day is........

.........Well.......

I think that might cause more than one sister or brother to stumble.

 

 Here's one made out of cupcakes 

And, another carved out of Spam

If perishable Nativity Scenes are not your thing (and, why would it be?), you can always get ones with various animals.

  This "Pig Nativity Scene" is not very "kosher" - but I have to admit that I am rather fond of the pink pig angel - over to the left. The one with the pink and white wings. However, I must say that the pig donkey, sheep and camel are vaguely disturbing. 

I suspect more than one or two Levitical codes have been broken in this scene.

Some things might be said about Mary being a pig - or even Joseph or (gasp!) Baby Jesus - but I don't think anyone wants to go there. 

There are lots (and lots, and lots) more animal scenes, but I think the winner of the whole contest is this piece called "Mexican Nativity Scene".

Now, I've been to Mexico and I don't think this is actually a "Mexican Nativity Scene". At least, I haven't seen any Mermaids and Mermen - much less Merbabies - in Mexico, but then again, it may have just been that I had an inexperienced tour guide who didn't take me to the right places.

I know it's popular to call people not from the United States - especially Mexico - "aliens" - and we love to call them, "illegal", just in case the "alien" doesn't make the point for you. 

But Mary, Joseph and Jesus as Merpeople? That's pretty alien - and might just be illegal -  but I don't think that's very Mexican.

Obviously, this is a nativity scene that was made in Mexico. By a Mexican. Who is neither "illegal" nor "alien" but who has a really amazing imagination - not to mention an eye for .... umm.... detail.

As one of my Hispanic gay male friends said when I walked into the newly decorated apartment of he and his partner and marveled at all the .... detail.... , "Hey, we're Hispanic and gay. To us, less is....well.....LESS!"

My absolute favorite, however, is this amazing video clip entitled "Bethlehemian Rhapsody". You absolutely MUST see it. Seriously. Consider it part of your Advent Meditation.

Here's how the clip is described:

This delightful parody written by Mark Bradford and directed by Darla Robinson (darlamason@hotmail.com) tells the Christmas story in a new....and UNIQUE....way that will touch the hearts of generations to come. Enjoy!

Don't waste another minute on reading this blog and spend the next four minutes and 46 seconds watching this. You can either see it below or click on this link.

If you think the "Mexican Nativity Set" was great, just wait till you see the gold manger descending from the clouds.

That sound you hear - when you stop your own giggles - is Jesus, Mary and Joseph and all the angels and archangels laughing and applauding uproariously from the heavens.

Don't forget to check out the "27 (and counting) Worst Nativity Sets". They are not to be missed.

Happy Advent everyone!