Birds of Christmas: The Crèche

2006 December 21
by David J. Ringer

GREENE CO., MO. — Part two of a series in which I set out explore some of the ways that birds help us celebrate Christmas.

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Birds do not figure prominently into most depictions of the nativity; they are often excluded in favor sheep, cattle, donkeys, or camels. Of eight or nine manger scenes on display in my parents’ home, I found birds present in three, like the dove nestled in the rafters here.

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Do you see what I see?

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Not a nativity, you say? This image by Ohio painter Jim Glover is said to depict a Barn Owl peering down into the manger on that first Christmas night.

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A tiny wooden bird sings from the roof of this German crèche.

Related posts:

  1. Birds of Christmas: The Tree
  2. Birds of Christmas: The Cards
  3. Birds of Christmas: The Stamps
  4. Merry Christmas!
  5. Birds of Christmas: The Carols

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