Now Barack Obama makes it into Nativity, along with Michelle (h/t Pamela). Video, via Allahpundit.
However, this is not as outrageous as it sounds, since Naples Nativity scenes are eclectic, to say the least,
Italian families prize their Nativity sets and often add a new character to the stable scene each year. This year they can choose from a host of political and high-profile figures including Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, or the Pope himself. Even Silvio Berlusconi – Italy’s much derided Prime Minister – finds himself rendered in wood and standing next to the cattle.
Much more irreverent is the Obama caganer that’s selling like hotcakes in Barcelona, complete with “Yes we can”:
Caganers, which date back to the 18th Century, are traditionally hidden in the Nativity scenes and guests at Christmas parties look for them, like we do during Easter Egg hunts; they’re supposed to symbolize fertility, prosperity and hope (bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you?) for the incoming year.
In other Christmas season news, Hugh Heffner’s not content to pimp women young enough to be his granddaughters, now he’s pimping the Virgin Mary:
Playboy Virgin Mary Cover Sparks Outrage In Mexico. The timing of the cover coincides with a national religious holiday, the feast of the patron saint of Mexico,
The release was timed for the day before Mexico’s traditional Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a celebration of an apparition of the Virgin in the town.
Its headline reads in Spanish: “We adore you, Mary.”
Of course Playboy Mag in the USA has issued a non-apology apology, as in “too bad you’re offended but it ain’t our fault”:
Playboy Enterprises Inc., based in Chicago, released a statement Friday explaining that the company did not approve the cover because the Mexican version of the magazine is published by a licensee, according to Reuters.
“While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies,” the company said.
If you take a quick glance at the Huffpo comments you’ll see the commenters deal with the topic in a most sensitive and tactful way.
Catholics all over the world are rioting, aren’t they?
UPDATE
The Anchoress: You don’t mess with the Mother of God
