You may well suspect by now that I am somewhat infatuated with Beléns (nativity scenes). Now is the time to enjoy an untold number of smaller and larger ones, here in Mallorca, between now and Reies (Three Kings), and I for one am pleased.

Usually the Christmas nativity scenes are built in miniature form and over the years, the sets have been portrayed in many ways. Some nativity scenes are even acted out live, here in Spain, and in particular, in Catalunya. In that case one speaks of pastorets or pessebres vivents. Some 15 years ago, I saw a beautiful live nativity scene here in Mallorca, on daily display at Abacanto, just outside of Palma, made up of a real woman, a real man, a live donkey and a very lively sheep. Only Baby Jesus was substituted by a doll. It was wonderful. Sadly, I did not take a photo at the time, or, if I did, I can not find it now.

Many church services in Mallorca include such a tableau vivant on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, albeit without any livestock. My photo (top) was taken just after the service yesterday morning, Sunday, in Felanitx.

The photo (top) was taken in Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: December 27th, 2009. The time was 12:52:24. The photo (bottom) was taken from the Internet. Thanks are due to lasalle.drupalmania.com.

Moltes gràcies.