‘Do you do Nativity scenes?’

I was talking with a friend about how we celebrate Christmas, and she asked if our decorations include nativity scenes. I was a little perplexed as to how to answer. Yes, but not really….not like here! Nativity scenes are a very serious business in Ecuador. People dedicate half their lounge rooms to intricate scenes including everything from packets of farm yard animals to modern additions of model cars and buses. Baby Jesus only gets laid in the manger on the night of the 24th. And no, I haven’t been snooping into people’s front yards, but most houses are directly on the street so it’s easy access to see all this nativity scene action up close and personal.