Some are cool... but I wouldn't spend THAT much on 'em.

#1 - Seriously?! The only *respectful* word that comes to mind is 'distasteful'. I'll leave it at that.

#2 - Impressive design...but that character in the center is reminiscent of halloween. What's that yellow blob on it's head and where is baby Jesus???

#3 - Gorgeous!!

#4 - Cute

#5 - See #3. Very well done!

i'd stick with the meerkats from regretsy.

The prices are insane, nativities are not about spending hundreds of dollars to display how much we care about the birth of Jesus by showing a 650$ wooden baby

Rant aside, the last one is beautiful

ridiculous.

These are so cool- have never seen anything like these! I would definitely display one of these over the traditional kind.

As for the previous complainers- if you don't want to spend that much, don't bother to get one, but that doesn't mean the whole design is bad.

#3 is lovely and #5 is exquisite--the first 2 are fine for frivolity. I'm a nativity set collector and find bargains on Etsy, Ebay, etc.--I try to add 1 every couple of years. I have them in many styles & from several countries, & I set them out in different areas (side table, mantel, piano, bookshelves) at Christmastime time and none take up too much space. I love that my kids get excited to see them and that they'll inherit them someday.

These are all very cool, though if I wanted a nativity set, I'd get one from SERRV--much better prices and buying from them does a lot of good.

my mom collects nativities and would just love to buy her the 1st three.

I find the first one rather offensive, actually (it'd be better to have no nativity at all). The second one is not my style at all, and I think is a bit disrespectful, but that's my personal opinion rather than the rule.

I like the last three, especially the fifth one, though. Very lovely.

Well, #2 has the unique benefit of everyone actually looking so happy. I mean, how many nativities do we see where Mary is looking downright depressed and Joseph is looking as if Herod is already nipping at his heels, and the three Wise Men have expressions best reserved for the aftermath of a really spicy Mexican meal? I applaud that one for sheer happiness.

I'd love to add 1 and 2 to my "tacky jesus" collection. The others are lovely for the sake of lovely.

Are any of them fair trade?

I think these are all quite fantastic save for #2. Love the use of different languages in #1. very cool.

QUOTE: I'd love to add 1 and 2 to my "tacky jesus" collection. The others are lovely for the sake of lovely. UNQUOTE

=[

Okay, I was raised to be a good Catholic (didn't stick) but also was blessed with parents who each have a good sense of humour, and I'm not sure why people find #1 offensive. The second one is very cute and I like #4 as well. I can see it being used as for display only or for helping explain Christmas and the Nativity to wee ones.

@Discerning: the one in the middle is the baby Jesus, and the yellow blob is his hair (notice Mary has blonde bangs).

If I had to get one I would go for #1. Refreshingly different!

Didn't know that my fellow Germans have such a sense of humor ;-)

#2 is cute.

I love #1.

If they sold it in the US, I'd buy it.

I too think #1 is kind of refreshing, and definitely something that should be seen as a design piece rather than a religious ornament. I kind of like it, I like the play with words.

#3 is also very, very nice.

@Mrs.Mack and @discerning

I don't think the 1st one is disrespectful at all. The title says it all:
"Minimalist Nativity"

What's the difference between putting out a wooden Jesus and Mary or putting out pieces of wood that say 'Jesus' and 'Mary'?

The second one is adorable!

Ceci n'est pas une Jesus.

I'm a little late to this discussion, but I wanted to say that I really like all of these except #1. I'm not a super religious person at all (I don't really even identify as a Christian), but I somehow was a little offended by this. So, I started wondering why... If it were a museum piece, I wouldn't find it offensive at all. But as a personal expression of worship, it bothers me for some reason. I think it's because the nonrepresentational/conceptual artistic statement has usurped the nativity scene's main purpose. It feels to me that the piece's main purpose is not to give worship, but to question the nature of religious art or representational art in general (like Studio Starter pointed out). And like I said, as a museum or gallery piece, that is entirely appropriate. I just question whether mass producing something that is masquerading as religious art (or iconography), but on some level seems to be mocking, or at least questioning it, is appropriate. I don't know if that makes sense.

I can agree with this: "the conceptual artistic statement has usurped the nativity scene's main purpose" BUT doesn't #2 qualify for that as well then? Don't a lot of other nativities?
Maybe #1 is supposed to represent the simplicity of Christ's birth. Maybe it is supposed to remind us that we shouldn't let all the glitz of Christmas overpower the real reason Christians celebrate that day.
Another example of this kind of religious art is Barnett Newman's Stations of the Cross. It is simply black paint on white canvases. The artist assumes you already know the meaning/title of each station and you are to use the painting as a base for reflection/meditation.