“Bob,” many of my Google-adverse friends ask at this time of year, “what does the word ‘crèche’ mean?”

Well, my little Wikipedia-bereft amigos, crèche comes from the Latin word cripia which means crib or cradle.

Unless you are British. The British, being British, have a completely different meaning for the word, mainly, I suppose, so they can have another excuse to complain about North American English. The British sided with the French on this one and think that a crèche refers to a day-care center.

I suppose if you are a working parent and must put up the toddlers for the day in an institution, a crèche sounds so much nicer than daycare.

Initially, a crèche referred to the bed on which the baby Jesus was laid in swaddling clothes but has come to stand for the whole manger tableau. I think Nativity scene and Manger scene are winning these days, if only because they are easier to rhyme with in Christmas carols.

Plus, people who insist there is a war on Christmas being waged every year claim that crèche is another example of foreign influences creeping into a Christian celebration.

We don’t have that problem here because we’re in Mexico and a crèche is called Nacimiento or Natividad.

TWO MANGERS AND A BABY

And here are a couple of especially charming Nacimientos you can visit in San Miguel de Allende.

The first is in the courtyard of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. I suspect that it might be standing in for the alpha-crèche/nacimiento that is usually erected in the Jardin Principal. As of this morning, there was no sign of movement toward turning the gazebo into a manger scene.

This one does nicely. As you can see, it is a fine traditional scene — shepherds on the right, wise men on the left and some curious-looking sheep mingling about. Everybody except the lead shepherd has a beard. That’s probably not important but as one who wears a beard, I admire their hirsute grooming.

The manger itself is a fine piece of construction, with an authentic feel. Mangers often are interpreted as caves, sturdy dwellings with walls, or a sterile room at the Holiday Inn. This one looks like a Bethlehem build, with rocks, pots, and hay bales strewn about.

Mary and Joseph look a touch shell-shocked after their long journey from Nazareth, about 90 miles riding on a donkey and walking. Can’t say I blame them. They should brighten up considerably come December 25.

I truly like the classic feel to this Nativity scene. It is the sort you’d enjoy sitting in front of and contemplating the meaning of Christmas, the art of biblical storytelling, and the horrific conditions they would have to travel through in modern-day Israel. If they could even get through a checkpoint

There is a new Nativity scene up the Calle Ancha de San Antonio, on the triangular park bordered by El Cardo.

It makes wonderful use of the landscape in the tiny park.

The figures of Joseph and Mary get high marks for realism (except that Joseph is missing his left hand). They are leaning into the crib as if quite aware that a momentous event is upon them.

The only two other figures in this scene are a donkey and a cow that look like extras in a Disney “Moana” film. I love it. Their contrasting and cartoonish style adds the levity and joyfulness that the season should embody 2,024 years later.

The trees in the backdrop have been dressed with moss, Christmas tree decorations, and lighting. The whole thing looks stunning at night. And perhaps shepherds, wise men, and angels we have heard on high will be arriving at the appropriate times.

If not, this is quite enough. It looks terrific at night — although, be careful of the traffic on the Ancha. It wouldn’t do to have ambulances pulling up to cart off pilgrims. A real buzz-kill for the holiday spirit.

And finally, if you are in town, do go to La Esquina — the toy museum — were an exquisite selection of crèche/nacimientos will be on display for a while longer. See the announcement below.

I know there are many more public Nativity scenes around town. There is usually a large one in the pocket park adjacent to the Teatro Angela Peralta. And I believe one is to be found inside the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez El Nigromante. And certainly every church in the city — and there are so many — will have its own, inside our out in a courtyard.

Got any others you’d recommend? I could keep adding images to this post. Let me know.

Meanwhile, keep enjoying the holidays in the best way you know how. Click on any picture to enlarge it, post likes if you are so moved, and feel free to share this post and any other with your friends or enemies. You’ll know which.

Merry Christmas!