Sunday, January 3, 2010

Strangers at the Manger

Today, we took down Christmas. Yes, I know it is more traditional to wait for Three King's Day, but I couldn't stand to have that tree in the house one more day. While Ryan was stripping the tree of lights, I took down the nativity. It was then I noticed there was something very wrong in the town of Bethlehem.


For those of you who failed the Highlights "hidden pictures" contests as children, in addition to the Holy Family, wise men, and shepherds, there are two monkeys, an abnormally large bat, a turtle, and Bigfoot. Yes, that's right, according to my manger, Bigfoot was at the birth of Christ.

First, I assumed Ryan had done it, moving things around from the mantle to create the David Lynch Christmas scene. Then a dark horse in the blasphemy race emerged: my Mother.

I called to ask her about it, expecting her to be insulted and ask me to do hail Marys in order to win her forgiveness. Instead, she laughingly admitted it.
Yes, the woman who goes to church every week, doesn't eat meat during Lent, and could teach most Catholics a thing or two about guilt, was responsible for the desecration. And she was proud of it. She thought the Bigfoot was an especially brilliant touch, such people had been putting another mythical creature (Santa) at the creche for some time.

I guess you don't really know a person until you leave them along with your plastic Jesus. I am just so glad I don't have a Crucifixion set she can mess with at Easter. Because that would be REALLY disrespectful.

18 comments:

Susan from the Pacific Northwest said...

After my sister left I found a catnip mouse gazing adoringly at the manger.

Anonymous said...

I think the chimp really adds to the scene.

Princess Stupidhead said...

Then a dark horse in the blasphemy race emerged: my Mother.

Brilliant. I, too, loved the Bigfoot addition. I'm sure it's not the strangest place he's been sighted.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

My dad, who is the most devout Catholic I know, started the game of "Find the Christ-child," years ago in our house when I was in college. He'd hide the baby Jesus and when I went to find him to put him in on Christmas morning I had to go on a hunt. I've carried this on with my kids.
I guess you never know where blasphemy may turn up...

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Well...family will surprise you from time to time, won't they? We had super heroes in ours a couple times leading up to Christmas.

Love that picture at the top there.

Aunt Juicebox said...

ROFL Good one, mom!

Sprite's Keeper said...

My in-laws proudly display their intricate manger every year and every year, I end up playing defense for the other team's holiday when Sprite decides one of the wise men would make an adequate prince stand in for her Sleeping Beauty doll.

Amanda said...

How does this surprise you? After all, it is our Mother who still will say "May the pus of the Lord be with you"

Kim said...

Why do you have a bigfoot, monkey, unusually big bat, and turtle lying around? Jungle decor?

Not Afraid to Use It said...

Oh my. In our house, baby Jesus ends up riding the firetruck, taking a bubble bath, and sitting with us at the dinner table. Love the Bigfoot addition. We didn't get any cool additions such as that. Maybe next year.

Rob said...

Totally awesome. I must remember this next December.

Aliceson said...

Way to go Mom! I love Catholics with a sense of humor. My Catholic MIL had my 7 year old (we are not religious at all) set up the nativity this year just for kicks. She didn't even rearrange before the family arrived. Although bigfoot would have been a great addition!

said...

Did Baby Jesus go to the zoo for his birthday party this year, and was there skeeball and a pinata too!

Kelly said...

Our nativity was constantly being rearranged by a certain 3 year old, who was just looking at it. Baby Jesus took a train ride, and a stroller ride this year.

My dad has always called our Christmas tree, The Hanukkah Bush. It still cracks me up.

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Oh, that is just perfect. I love your mom. What an imp!

Ellie

Mandy_Fish said...

I totally believe Bigfoot attended the birth of Christ. I'm just faithful like that.

Aunt Becky said...

That's HILARIOUS. Seriously, HILARIOUS.

Debbie said...

I came here from FiveStarFriday, and I have tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing so hard!

Next Christmas, I want a Bigfoot in my Nativity Scene!!!