While Shepherds Washed: the cheerful surrealism of the nativity.

It’s been quite a Christmas for encountering nativity scenes. Whilst they all have the basic premise in common (Mary beaming down at baby Jesus in a crib, Joseph’s puzzled face looking on), their diversity and individual interpretations have been a wonder to behold.

There’s been the usual wildlife in attendance (cows, sheep and goats) but frequently embellished with turkeys, camels and pigeons and whatever other livestock comes to hand or is reflected in the local restaurant menu.

The floral contributions have included the wandering hordes of poinsettias making a regular appearance (poinsettia clans gathering at nativity scenes due to the FOMO of Christmas? Who knew?)

Their diversity has been uplifting to behold and a spirit of universal inclusion infuses them all: passion fruits the size of small sheep, baby Jesus the size of a camel and water features complete with their magical cash fountains making their modest presence felt. I’ve yet to see one with a magic cashpoint installed though.

My favourite probably has to be the ethnographic model village with a church at its heart but with a nativity scene on its margins. Presumably the model church has a mini nativity scene in it, reflecting the nativity scene outside it suggesting the church is simultaneously revering the past whilst outside in the real world the same old same old is taking place, albeit hidden away on the side.

Whether this was the modellers commentary on how we should see nativities everywhere we look remains to be seen, but there’s no denying the cheerful surrealism of the nativity brings us smiles, surprises and puzzles in equal measure during these very unpeaceful times.