What in heaven or on earth is this? The Answer

Thanks to all those who took part in our little Christmas Octave competition.

The Pimpernel can now reveal that the object under consideration is in fact the Christmas Crib for 2010 at the church of Le Madeleine over there in Paris.

Congratulations to those who spotted this. The Pimpernel had no idea what it was when he was first sent the report.

The Pastor of the parish had this to say:

"Drawing upon a contemporary artist, this crib retrieves a tradition of the thirteenth century from St. Francis of Assisi, who for the first time, reproduced in Greccio (Italy), the manger of Bethlehem. This project will enable this historic monument [church] which receives over 600,000 visitors per year, to provide many visitors at Christmas time, a moment of quiet contemplation."

Well, it may give the tourists something. Pity that it won't speak to them of Christ or His Incarnation, or even look like the manger of Bethlehem. Would Saint Francis regonise it? Still, the tourists can listen to the Aramaic playing at the crib as they contemplate it. It is tempting to ask what Sunday Mass is like in this church, but that might be going too far.