The Nativity Dog is a photograph by Ed Weidman which was uploaded on December 16th, 2013.
The Nativity Dog
The nativity scene at St. Patrick�s Cathedral in New York City has an unusual touch this year, a yellow Labrador sitting comfortably beside... more
by Ed Weidman
Title
The Nativity Dog
Artist
Ed Weidman
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
The nativity scene at St. Patrick�s Cathedral in New York City has an unusual touch this year, a yellow Labrador sitting comfortably beside Mary.
Msgr. Robert Ritchie, the cathedral�s rector, added the statue to the scene. It is modeled after his dog, Lexington, and created by the same studio in Italy that carved the other statues in the cr�e.
Fifteen-year-old Lexington has been a beloved member of the St. Patrick�s flock for many years, accompanying Msgr. Ritchie wherever he goes.
Some people have objected to a dog being part of the traditional nativity scene. Msgr. Ritchie thinks there are a few things the statue's detractors should know:
One of the things I tell people is that there is nothing in the Gospel narrative that mentions any animals at Bethlehem, he told TODAY.com.
The ox and donkey are traditional but there is nothing in the Bible mentioning them. The shepherds obviously are mentioned, and wouldn't it be logical for them to bring some of their sheep and their sheep dog to meet baby Jesus?
St. Francis of Assisi was responsible for starting the tradition of the cr�e, and he loved dogs. When I was in Assisi last year, I saw the Franciscan Cr�e outside his Church and there were dogs in the scene.
Uploaded
December 16th, 2013
Statistics
Viewed 245 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 03/28/2024 at 9:34 AM
Colors
Embed
Share
More from Ed Weidman
Comments (14)
Ed Weidman
honored by the features of lyric,tina,john,karen,jim,svetlana,geordie,and linda in their fabulous groups mannequins and display art,out of the ordinary,artists best five artworks,images that excite you,grnad greeting cards,what question mark,the world we see,christian theme artwork,and the awe factor!
John Bailey
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Lyric Lucas
Congratulations your creative and unique art is featured in the "MANNEQUIN and DISPLAY ART" and OUT OF THE ORDINARY groups! Wonderful description very special!
Dave Luebbert
Great photo! With the common love for dogs it makes no sense that Francis of Assisi didn't have a dog in the first creche. Mary seems to appreciate him! Amen, I love it!