Opens in Advent
manger still empty
a mother to be
no gold paper star
with stable floor strawed
standing here waiting
with progressing weeks
come oxen and sheep
until at Christmas
child in the manger
shepherds and magis
nativity scene.
Today we are writing tableau with Laura at dVerse. A format with very simple rules:
1 or more verses
6 lines per verse
5 beats/syllables per line
Title should contain the word tableau, be pictorial and there is no rhyme scheme.
The pictures are from a small local church with an attached barn where they have a nativity scene where old manequins are recycles. It change with time from advent until 12th night. I love to go and look at it from time to time.
December 11, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
What a lovely Nativity scene. I like that each animal and baby Jesus is being added on.
It is avtually quite nice to see the scene changing during Christmas
I love the progression and how none of the occupants can see us looking in
It is quite a nice concept… the first time I saw it it was such a surprise.
The scene growing with time is quite unique. A notch up from being merely pretty.
I think so to….it is like watching an ongoing story…. as you may see that in the first picture Maria is visibly pregnant.
Bravo
Here in T&T we call our Nativity Scenes, Creche
So we say the Creche at church
or the Creche at the mall etc
much♡love
We do have it at many places too, even at home sometimes, but what’s different here is that it actually changes with time.
Neat idea by the church to change the scene as the birth of the baby approaches. There was church near here that did a whole reenactment outside for a few years, where you walked along to different scenes. Really brought it to life.
I heard the other day that the first nativity scene like that was introduced by S.t Francis… and live ones as well as static exist everywhere…
Makes sense. Reinforces the myth.
That’s a nice tradition. We do something similar at home.
We do it in many places (as a child we did it at home) but what is truly different with this is that they keep it changing with the timeline of Christmas
I enjoyed the progression in your poem, the photos and your background notes! It’s a neat idea for advent. I would enjoy seeing that unfolding nativity scene, too.
I loved the idea too…
that’s a pretty neat tradition and you paint it well Bjorn. In my town they have a nativity with live sheep and goats around it
That is also a nice way of showing it.
What an interesting tradition. I love it.
A tradition well anchored in history
This is a lovely poem and tradition 💜
Thank you
A short and sweet progression, Björn, – what a nice idea for the Nativity to gradually add the participants…
I thought so to… and a great reason to visit over and over.
Sarcasm is not fit for Advent, Bjørn. And being dark is not a style. Please, find back to the jolly good.
I do not understand what is sarcastic about this post.