Christmas is a very special time at our house. It is a time when we try to do many things together as a family. One of the traditional rituals we all share in is the decorating of the various rooms with things that have special sentimental significance for us all. Over the years we have accumulated a number of unique scenes of the Nativity. We generally try to have several of these displayed in various places to remind us not only of the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus, but also to call our attention to the wide variety of ways Ihis story is told by various artists.

One of our favorite nativity scenes is a large white ceramic set that has been a part of many Chrisimases in our home. As we were unpacking that set this year the sickening sound of something broken rattled in the box. W…