Divinity Incarnated Is Us

Ever seen a Nativity scene with a chicken praying alongside an angel?

This Mexican Nacimiento was set up in a cafe’s fireplace, right next to the table where I had coffee. In this culture, the spirituality is grounded; not angels apart from earthlings, but rather, angels side by side with chickens. I didn’t see any upper class King dudes, but along with the expected shepherds, ordinary women are bringing gifts of tortillas, pure water, and calla  lilies. Even the old devil gets inclusion, making an appearance in back of the stable, holding a skull  to call to our minds life’s precious Impermanence.

Check out the Señor taking a refreshing siesta by the cactus,  perhaps done in by all the excitement of finding the Child.

Even the ducks and fish, swimming under the bridge, travel on the Winter Solstice/Christmas journey of rebirth.

The same day I viewed this Nativity scene, I attended Marty Janowitz’ teaching at the Heart of Awareness Buddhist community here in Ajijic. (Marty is long-time student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and was a fellow student with Pema Chodron) He said that spirituality lies in the sacred as ordinary and vice versa.   He spoke about wisdom as part of the humble human path of discovery– tasteable wisdom. Just what the Nativity scene Mexican style, with its creative everyday figures, also teaches.

In the Mexican Nacimiento, earth-based spirituality, Christian traditions, and Buddhist values mix as beautifully as the bright Mexican colors. I am delighted to be reminded that our loftiest seasonal aspirations can only be activated through the gift of our physical bodies. Divinity incarnated is not just the babe in the manger; Divinity Incarnated is Us!