Holy Gifts

With this inspiring nativity scene Jose Canil Ramos preserves a tradition that began in Guatemala on Christmas of 1649. Back then, Holy Brother Pedro de Betancourt set up a nativity scene he had brought with him from the Canary Islands in Tenerife. In Canil's original version, the Three Wise Men bring a pineapple, a watermelon and a chicken as gifts from Guatemala. Ramos carves each figurine by hand from pinewood that was weathered and dried during the summer months. The characters' florid robes are painted by hand, and they stand on brown wood bases. Archangel Gabriel's wings are detachable. Including the bed, ox and donkey, this nativity set features 10 pieces.