Caganer Nativity Set
The Caganer is a popular nativity set figurine found in the Catalan cultures of southern France, the Balearic Islands, southern Italy, Spain and Portugal. Its history dates back to the late 17th century.
Generally this figure is found in large nativity sets, which depict a city or rural landscape, where it can be hidden as a kind of game for the children to find. In some sets it’s a popular figure from politics or entertainment but it can also be a generic character. Still, no matter who they might be, they’re always doing the same thing. He or she is squatting down, pants around the old ankles, answering the call of nature.
Apparently the Caganer is always placed far away from the baby Jesus, but its meaning is shrouded in mystery. Some say it represents commonality among all humans. Some say it represents fertility and hope for the future. Others say it represents a “healthy amount of doubt.”
I don’t know about all that, but one thing I do know: if I find a Caganer in my nativity set I think I’ll leave it in the box.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12059969
Jesus Fresco
The Santuario de la Misericordia chapel in Spain once had a beautiful Jesus fresco on the wall. But sadly it is no more … sort of. The Ecce Homo or Behold the Man painting was recently “restored” by a well-meaning elderly parishioner of the church. Cecilia Gimenez, 81, apparently took it upon herself to repair the weatherworn painting of Jesus but ended up creating what some have called a “half-bearded monkey face” and others have referred to as “potato Jesus.” It’s sad, it’s something you can’t help but chuckle at, and it’s sparking an onslaught of attention and parodies online.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19349921
(Good/Bad) Gift Ideas
This is a good idea for quite a lot of you out there. It’s a tad pricy for a penny-pinching Scotsman, but hey, it’s Christmas! Splurge just this once because for just $29.99 the people at stupid.com will sell you a bath towel that looks like a kilt. Oh yes, they also sell slippers that double as a mop, a phone that looks like a bagel and a brew your own root beer kit, but this one is a must have. Come on. It’s a bath towel that looks like a kilt. What more do you want? You know you need one.
stupid.com/kilt-bath-towel.html
The Christmas Resistance Movement
Every year people spend more and more money on Christmas gifts and every year concerned voices rise. This year one of those voices belongs to the “Christmas Resistance Movement.” According to their website, Christmas shopping must be boycotted because it is “offensive and wasteful,” “degrade[s] the concept of giving,” “is driving individuals into debt” and “wreaks havoc on the environment, filling landfills with useless packaging and discarded gifts.” Instead, the good people at the Christmas Resistance Movement urge everyone to boycott Christmas shopping and “refuse to support the holiday industry.” On their webpage you can join the discussion, read their cartoons or buy their bumper stickers or perhaps a nice sweatshirt for $32 (the irony is not lost on me).
xmasresistance.org
