Instead of thousands of dollars’ worth of toys and gadgets, why not pick up a nativity crib for the house this Christmas? That’s the view of Pope Benedict, who warned against the holiday season’s rampant consumerism in his weekly blessing at St. Peter’s Square yesterday. “In today’s consumer society, this time of the year unfortunately suffers from a sort of commercial ‘pollution’ that threatens to alter its real spirit,” he told the crowd. He urged more sober celebrations and said a nativity crib would be “a simple but effective way [for parents] to show their faith and convey it to their children.” Of course, nativity sets aren’t exactly non-commercial products. Some are so pricey that you have the option of paying on an installment plan.

—Posted by Tim Nudd