Have you ever seen a stable without mice, and therefore cats?
My nativity scenes usually include a cat.
As far as my living, breathing cats go, I have a reprensible habit of occupying the window-sill facing the road that at Christmas houses a nativity scene with a various bulky oraments from about the end of September.
The inference being that Trubel and Tigger are welcome to sit in one of the three other window-sills, but NOT in the one this particular nativity scene goes in.
As it it meant to be seen by passers-by, it is tailored to fit the window and the back of the stable has been craftily constructed to hinder access by the cats. Whether this actually works, remains to be seen, as the new nativity scene I built during the summer is still standing on the work-bench. I intend to put it up next week-end.
And bad or not, that ginger puss is ADORABLE.
Are you sure he is not just trying to keep Baby Jesus warm?
It amazes me that modern (and for that matter Victorian) nativity scenes have a the little lord Jesus attired solely in a nappy and a halo. No-one in their right mind would lay a new-born baby down anywhere in so little clothing. Older cribs have a tightly swaddled Infant, which makes sense.
I provide my Baby Jesus with an fleecy cover, usually newly combed hair from one or other of the cats.