So was the baby Jesus black or white?

[LynetteScavo]

DD has offered to take in one of her dolls to complete the nativity scene the teacher has set up in the classroom.

She was going to take baby George, who is white, but DS2 said baby Billy would be more appropriate because he's black.

They then both looked at me, and I think Jesus would be dark, but not black. We don't have a doll like that. So who gets the honour of being baby Jesus, George or Billy?

Apparently I have the final say in the morning.

[mummyonvalium]

Remember where the baby Jesus came from originally - would be appropriate that he was at least tanned given his middle-eastern origins.

[caramelwaffle]

I like jojo's post

[caramelwaffle]

Pampers or Huggies?

[AntoinetteCosway]

Beats me notactuallyme...

[Jojobells1986]

Give the white doll a wipe with a used teabag?

[LAK11]

To throw a spanner in the works..... there are black 'Virgins' don't cha know..... so if his mum was 'black' as depicted in statues, and his dad was Jewish (also more 'Mediterranean') the chances of him being 'darker' are very high... ditch the white one, go for the black one and quote the 'black virgin of Montserrat or Rocamadour'.... and appear highly cultured....

[UnrelatedToElephants]

What colour is the Mary character in the Nativity?

[CuriousMama]

Take both in and see who teacher chooses?

Of course Jesus was real. Even if you don't believe he's the son of God he was still real.

He was more dark than light but most likely lighter skinned when newborn?

[CuriousMama]

Oh and the yes he's real was aimed at MissCellania.

I'm not a Christian by the way but I was.

[MayaAngelCool]

God, this thread is so racist.

[MayaAngelCool]

Damn! Clicked 'post' before I could add a

Blasted technology. Bring back slate 'n' chalk, hoop 'n' stick.

[PigletJohn]

He would have been a North African Arab, but as a baby not very dark.

He would have been darker than most modern Jewish people as there would not be dilution of the gene pool that happened since the diaspora.

The artistic depictions you see are generally chosen to satisfy the prejudices and expectations of the artist and the viewers.

[LookingForNewName]

He would have been North African in skin colour however 2000 years ago this would have been darker than North Africans are today. However he would have been quite light at birth, I would say anyway black dolls tend not to be accurate even for African babies. So I don't think it matters much eith baby doll will not truly represent his skin colour.

In true essences though I don't think anyone true lily would be bothered either way.

[LookingForNewName]

I'm not sure the thread is racist is it, why do you think it is?

[PurpleTinsel]

I reckon he'd look Arabic. Given that Bethlehem's in the Middle East. So neither doll is right.

Flip a coin?

[MayaAngelCool]

Did you see my subsequent post, Looking? It was a joke, but I clicked 'Post' too soon!

[crazygracieuk]

Maybe match him to Mary's (the pupil playing the part) skin colour?

[RubbishCrackerPuller]

Look, you're having a laugh if you think ANY part of a school nativity is remotely realistic .

Let the kids choose, then suspend all belief!

[Startail]

I'd be tempted to the black one.
Very white school DDs south Asian friend and her sibling need company.

[LynetteScavo]

I went with George, purely because he was already dressed in a baby grow, while Billy was still naked when it was time to leave for school.