This folk art creche was a gift from West Coast friend Kerry many years ago. You'll notice just Mary and Joseph in the scene. One way to make Advent a season of anticipation is to keep baby Jesus hidden until Christmas.
And don't have the Wise Men, camels et al. arrive until the Epiphany on January 6th. Some families set up the travelers elsewhere in the house, moving them on a journey across various pieces of furniture until their arrival at the manger.
These are gentle, even playful ways to intrude the Biblical narrative into the cultural Christmas distractions. They are ways to relate the message to kids and to involve them in walking through it, which is the purpose of the church liturgical calendar for people of all ages.
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