Is that wrong to say?
Nativity scenes are great places for Jesus to be like, "What the heck? That's insulting!" (Unless he's like a parent who knows their kid sucks at art, but loves it anyways because it's their kid's work.)
Like take this nativity scene found in the small town of Celebration, Florida.
Look at Joseph. He seems to be thinking, "That is the ugliest baby I've ever seen! Glad he's not mine."
And what's up with Jesus' golden locks of hair, big blue eyes, and Benjamin Button face? Why do nativity scenes often depict Jesus with eyes open and hands lifted to heaven as if singing Away in a Manger Casting Crowns' style?
Very few nativity scenes show Jesus for what he was. For while he was fully God as a baby, he came fully human too. That meant he slept like babies sleep, cried, pooped (and it stunk), burped, spat up, and was even breast fed by the Virgin Mary.
We struggle to correctly view Jesus as both God's son and human. It's a glorious mystery. This struggle is often found in nativity scenes. However, the one place where we almost get it right are images of Jesus on the cross. For there we see both his humanity and his divinity.
How do you feel about nativity scenes? Do you think Jesus likes this one?
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