Weird Nativity Scenes are Christian Writer's Cross to Bear
David Moye First Posted: 12/ 2/11 10:34 AM ET Updated: 12/ 3/11 02:05 PM ET
Jesus Christ was born more than 2,000 years ago, so it's safe to say there is no one alive who was there to witness it.
That said, many artists and entrepreneurs have taken liberties in depicting the blessed event in their own way, such as by portraying Jesus, Mary and the three wise men as cats, dogs, strips of bacon -- or even cans of spam.
Some might think it sacrilegious -- or "sacri-licious" in the case of the pork-inspired nativity -- but Christian author Mark Oestreicher [ http://www.theyouthcartel.com/ ] sees it as proof that God works in strange and mysterious ways.
"Many cultures depict manger scenes using elements familiar to them," Oestreicher told HuffPost Weird News. "Some manger scenes made in Africa depict the participants as African instead of Middle Eastern, and I've seen some made in India that used an artistic style that is more common in Buddhism."
Zombie Nativity Oestreicher has collected some of his favorites on his blog, WhyIsMarko.com [ http://whyismarko.com/ ], including this one that depicts all participants as zombies in "Deathlehem."
Rubber Duckie Nativity Oestreicher used to be bothered when he would see nativity scenes depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph as rubber ducks, but now he looks at products like these as "whimsical attempts for people to engage in a mystery."
Meat Nativity This depiction of the birth of Jesus "meats" all of Oestreicher's criteria for an offbeat nativity -- and has the added bonus of being able to feed peoples' stomachs and their souls at the same time.
Nativity Cupcake Toppers At first, Oestreicher was taken aback by the use of obviously commercial products, such as these cupcake toppers, even though they "weren't morally wrong." But he has learned to enjoy them.
Mermaid Nativity Oestreicher loves the craft that went behind this nativity scene, even though he finds the concept fishy.
Spam Nativity This depiction of the Bethlehem manger in spam is surely made for Monty Python fans.
Snow Globe Nativity Oestreicher is particularly amused by this snow globe nativity, mainly because of the way Mary and Joseph are looking at their child through a fishbowl.
S'mores Nativity Oestreicher believes this nativity, which depicts Jesus and family as s'mores, is perhaps the worst nativity set he's seen.
Shotgun Shell Nativity If there is a person in your life whose favorite religious ditty is "Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition," this nativity made from shotgun shells is sure to hit the bullseye.