Living Nativity

The cattle have been lowing incessantly since parts were assigned.
The shepherds, after spilling their first hot chocolates, keep watch over their frocks.
Joseph strokes the beard he grew himself but had to augment with marker.
The angels keep fixing their haloes, which can’t seem to stay up.
The wise men, who were acting out, have been separated.
One of them (frankincense) has basketball practice; his gift sits unattended.

The baby Jesus got colicky and had to be replaced.
The Virgin makes do with a leftover loaf,
Swaddling it close to hide its facelessness,
And the rest lick their chops as they think of that bread
Broken for us all on this cold winter night
In which the light of some new star,
Having traveled for ages, may be reaching us.