By Ron Koertge
Traditionally, Gaspar, Melchoir and Balthasar
show up with their exotic gifts, though the Bible
does not name them and some scholars believe
the Chinese sage Liu Shang might have attended
with a gift of silk rather than myrrh. Or even
better - fireworks. The Christ child's missing
fingers suggest he already has some experience
with cherry bombs or Red Devil Ground Blasters.
In this crèche, though, the magi have yet to arrive.
There are no camels, just a plaster zebra peering
over Mary's shoulder. Joseph must have stepped
out for milk or cigarettes. The weight of adoration
has fallen onto the shoulders of a single, scowling
shepherd with binoculars slung around his neck.
He is still keeping watch over his flock despite
that mischievous star that lured him from his
tranquil hillside and utterly bewildered dog.
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I slept till nearly noon on Monday to make sure I would have energy for the rest of the day, because at 2:30 we went to pick up our new RAV4, and (as I predicted) we weren't back here till after 6:30, by the time we had inspected, test driven, signed the purchase papers, had the minivan inspected, signed the sales papers, talked to the manager, talked to the finance guy, signed the warranty papers, and consumed two cups of tea, one cup of hot chocolate, and at least two chocolate chip cookies (Michael's of Bellevue has a free full-service coffee shop for customers).
We said a fond farewell to the minivan after 20 years -- there are still rocks our kids found in the doors -- and came home for dinner, which we ate after watching What If...?'s second episode with Cheryl (Hollywood and Bollywood, yay). Then, inevitably, we watched Die Hard, which Disney+ has at the top of their "Christmas Movies" list and we hadn't managed to see yet this year. No laundry has been folded in two weeks because I can't stay awake to stand up that long, unfortunately! Here are some of the cutest creches from the Bellevue Festival of the Nativity at the LDS Temple:
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