A Christmas store in rural Vermont announced online a global contest to artisans from around the world. The prize was $10,000 US dollars to whomever could make a Nativity Set that was most authentic to the spirit of Christmas. It had to be handmade and include a note about who made it and how it was made. Further, if a person could not afford to mail it in, they only had to upload a picture of their creation.

This contest attracted the attention of many from near and far. Soon, Nativity sets started arriving in the mail. One made of gold. Another with diamonds on each figure. Ceramic ones painted bright colors and carved ones from various kinds of wood. Big ones and small ones. Ones that glittered and ones that were plain. One made of stained glass and others made from mirrors. Gemstones, beads, and shells were also frequently used. In the online world, pictures were uploaded from villages in South America, Asia, and Africa. It was going to be difficult to judge the winner.

Then, a picture of a Nativity set was uploaded and the judges knew they had their winner. The winner was announced and a picture of the winning Nativity Set was shared with everyone. Some people emailed the judge to complain. How could the one that won actually be the winner? It was so different than anything that had been submitted.

The judges gently responded that they were looking for the one that was the most authentic to the Christmas spirit, so it had to be simple, heartfelt, and the divine had to somehow shine through the materials used to make it. When this explanation was posted, everyone agreed and the critical voices were quieted.

A young farm boy in Argentina was the winner. He hammered seven nails through a piece of wood and each nail went through the end of an ear of corn. Each ear was a slightly different height, with the one for the baby Jesus being the shortest. The other ears were for three wisemen, two shepherds, Mary, and Joseph. Then, the boy removed the kernels of each ear so that each character looked like it was wearing a different garment. And, of course, a circle of kernels became the halo around the heads of each member of the Holy Family. It was a masterpiece of simplicity and authenticity based upon what the materials the farm boy had access to.

The money was wired to the Argentinian family and the young boy used the money to help everyone in his village. From start to finish, the young farm boy, his creation, and his heart were, by far, the most authentically aligned with the spirit of the Christmas.