'Manger Chic' Fashion for Christmas 2009

Not long ago, if your child was selected to appear in the annual nativity play, all you needed to provide a suitable outfit was an old rag for swaddling or a large dish towel, some silver chenille, and a crown cut from a shopping bag. After all, Jesus was poor, born in a stable, and there was no such thing as room service or fancy linens.

Enter the 2009 holiday season and "manger chic" fashion.

Up-scale department stores like Debenhams of London, have reported that parents are spending upwards of $200 for formal nativity play attire. This includes ivory prom dresses for angels, pashmina shawls for Mary and Jesus, velour dressing gowns for shepherds, jeweled turbans for wise men, and arctic fur throws for sheep.

Joseph is still getting the standard army blanket and staff from Marks & Spencer.

A spokesperson for Debenhams told reporters "The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child's nativity play appearance would enable Baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five star hotel."

That would change history, wouldn't it?

Joseph and Mary arrive at the Mamilla Hotel in Jerusalem, only to be turned away and told they can't lodge there because Joseph is not wearing a tie and the army blanket and staff have to go. So, they have to rely on the GPS system handed down to them by Moses to travel to Bethlehem and find another inn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gNA8-OusKs&feature=player_embedded