Mary and Joseph

We went to the zoo on Saturday, and as we passed a picnic area, we noticed a creché (preschool) graduation taking place. The kids were all dressed in men's white t-shirts (they were angels) except for two children who were dressed as Mary and Joseph.

I love it that Joseph's staff is an umbrella, and that Mary is wearing a Power Puff Girls bathrobe (the cartoon characters are on the back of her robe). I think Joseph is also wearing a tablecloth.

I think sometimes we (Americans) get caught up in how things look, only using the newest and the best. In all the years I've attended Christmas programmes at schools and churches (in the U.S.), I've never seen Joseph use an upside down umbrella for his staff or Mary wear a Power Puff Girls bathrobe.

Somehow this mismatched hodge podge of using whatever one has on hand seems more fitting to me. It's like the Little Drummer Boy, who had no gift for Jesus except his drum-playing skills, or the woman who put in two cents for her offering because that was truly all she had.

It's not about looking perfect; it's about giving ourselves - giving our best, whatever that may be - as a sweet offering.