On Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI lambasted “today’s consumer society,” which is “unfortunately subjected to a sort of commercial ‘pollution’ that is in danger of altering” the true spirit of Christmas.

He suggests that Christian families, in lieu of spending their savings at Toys “R” Us next week (I’m paraphrasing there), take part in activities that pass on their faith to children, such as assembling a nativity scene in the home. “The Nativity scene helps us contemplate the mystery of the love of God, which is revealed to us in the poverty and simplicity of the grotto in Bethlehem,” Pope Benedict said.

So okay, here’s one place where the pope and I can agree, since I know that very young children become intimately acquainted with any narrative by play-acting it. My firstborn son amused himself with a Noah’s ark set for nearly four years, and he’s turning out pretty well.

I shopped around for my Christian readers, and I strongly feel the best range of nativity sets, both vintage and contemporary, are on eBay.com. Have a look.

I am also partial to a website called NovaNatural.com, where wooden nativity figures are available individually. These sturdy German imports are expensive but will last a long time.