“Tim and Jon with their lamb Carl” by Baub Alred
Mixing and matching Nativity sets to create queer scenes can encourage LGBT people to approach Christmas with a childlike spirit again. Baub Alred brings back the fun of the season as the LGBT Nativity series continues at the Jesus in Love Blog.
A series of queer manger scenes are being posted here before Christmas to reimagine the Holy Family in liberating, loving new ways.
Baub Alred, a digital artist living and working in Champaign, IL. He brings some queer cheer and fun to Christmas, which can be a lonely time for LGBT folk who may be estranged from family and the hyper-hetero imagery of the typical manger scenes.
His playful photo of gay shepherds is a reminder that surely there were a few shepherds who felt same-sex attractions while keeping watch over their flocks by night in the field around Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The modern names suggest that the story is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
Alred’s inter-racial manger scene (below) shows Jesus with two fathers. A price tag is visible, perhaps hinting at the price that Jesus will pay at the cross. Traditionally this somber reminder is provided by a Magi who brings the baby a gift of myrrh, a spice used for embalming.
“Marius, Joseph and Jesus” by Baub Alred
See more art by Alred in our previous post Queer Nativity 1: Manger scene as gay adoption party
or click here to view the whole 2011 Queer Nativity series.
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