Elvis is In The Manger

Okay.  I know.  On some level, it's horrible.  But he's the perfect size, and he loved Jesus.  And this is the South.  We love him.

Elvis is in my manger scene.

I can't remember where I found this Elvis ornament.  Perhaps it was on my pilgrimage to Graceland, or maybe it was just a trip to Wal-Mart. I get those two trips confused.  But once I had him, and after a few years of just hanging him on the tree, I realized Elvis was the exact same size as the other characters in my creche'.

At first I placed Elvis in the back for a joke, but then, when he looked so natural and happy, I thought he was the perfect representation for all of us. The everyday flawed modern man, who has come to worship the real King.

The Shepherd Boy thinks Elvis is cool.

"Thou sparkly clothes are wondrous, Mr. Elvis."

"Thank ye.  Thank ye very much."

Wearing his gold lame' suit, he looks kind of like a Wise Man. And if you want to get technical, the Wise Men weren't even there when Jesus was first born in the manger.  They came later, probably when J.C. was a toddler, yet there they stand, front and center as if they belonged there on that Holy night.

In Naples, Italy, I found a street filled as far as you could see of shop after shop, selling tiny miniature figurines meant to be displayed in homes with elaborate manger scenes.  There were tiny chicken coops, bakers, merchants with wagons full of vegetables, and even pizza makers.

Now tell me a pizzeria was in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. I don't think so.

The more, the merrier?

The King of Rock and Roll is now worshiping the King of Kings. And since I look at it like that, I don't feel quite so sacrilegious anymore.

But to be on the safe side,  if my Pastor stops by for a visit, the head shepherd will suddenly announce, 

"Elvis has left the manger."

Find this story and other wonderful Christmas ideas at Coastal Charm, French Country Cottage, Mockingbird Cottage,  The Charm of Home, Six Sister's Stuff, Funky Junk Interiors, Alderberry Hill, Common Ground, Southern Hospitality, Savvy Southern Style, My Romantic Home and At The Picket Fence.