If we had grandchildren (which we don’t) they might be part of Generation Y, more commonly referred to as Millennials.  Our ‘kids,’ born in the mid-fifties, qualify as Baby Boomers, and it is conceivable (ahem) that they could have had children in the early ’80s which are considered the beginning birth years for the Millennials.

As things stand, however, we need to depend on Charlie’s and Marta’s perennial agelessness to help keep us abreast of life in the jet stream.  So far, they have never failed to instruct, cajole, guffaw, and all those other appropriate reactions when we get stuck in our advancing old age.  Last night’s announcement by Charlie was no exception:  “I have an early Stocking Stuffer for the family.” And he lugged in a huge, unmarked cardboard box from his car.

Inside were two shiny black boxes with white lettering which said, “Millennial Nativity Stable” and “Modern Nativity.”  Marta, immediately went into gales of giggles, apparently having seen this whatever-it-was on FaceBook.  Nyel and I were perplexed and… well, silent.  After all, according to some methods of reckoning, we belong to the “Silent Generation.”

One by one, the parts and pieces (Joseph’s arm required some super-glue repair) were unpacked – Charlie and Marta became ever more amused while Nyel and I tried to get into the spirit, as they say.  In the hand (on his good arm), Joseph held a cell phone, extended to take a selfie with Mary (flashing peace sign and bra and holding a cuppa Starbucks coffee) and Baby Jesus (the only relatively ‘normal’ figure besides the U.S. Prime stamped cow and the sheep and the manger.)  The stable, of course, featured solar panels on the roof

We cleared off the entry table in the living room to make way.  “It just needs a bit of greenery,” says Marta.  I’m not sure if that will do the trick or not.  It’s a long way from my childhood memories of acting out the nativity scene.  In those days, the wise men were neighborhood kids in their dad’s bathrobes.  Joseph (always the tallest boy) and Mary (always the prettiest girl) and the Baby Jesus (usually a life-sized doll) were  the stars.  The rest of us were shepherds, or maybe sheep, and I remember thinking the entire thing was a little forced and hokey.

On reflection… it would be a whole lot more fun to re-enact this version, even though it does seem just a tad sacrilegious (she said silently).