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Speaking of subscribers, I need an anthropologist, and if possible, with a PhD and all. Aren't they the ones who study and understand human cultures in all their aspects? I could use with one of those to explain today’s news. Let me give you some background.

In some European and American countries, nativity scenes are an old tradition. The Spaniards call it Belén, the French call it crèche de Noël and the Italians presepe (please, correct me if I'm wrong).

For those of you who have never seen one, take a look at the header image. These scenes represent the day that Jesus was born. So there's Jesus, his mother the Virgin Mary, his... (I don't really know the kinship), Saint Joseph, the three Wise Men, angels, and a bunch of little figurines representing everyday life at the time like shepherds, blacksmiths, animals and so on. The more figurines, the bigger the scene. But there's a special one: a lucky charm that can only be found in some Spanish regions, especially in Catalonia: el caganer. This figurine is nothing more (and nothing less) than a guy doing number 2 behind a bush. What?? How is that even possible? Are you sure?

Yes. The role of this magical, albeit scatological figure is to ensure a good harvest each year by fertilizing the soil. But that's not all.

There's a Spanish company that specializes in making caganers. They came up with the idea of putting famous faces on them, and when I say famous, I mean international personalities such as politicians, sports stars, and celebrities . The Leo Messi figurine is by far their best-selling one in history.

Forgive my ignorance of soccer, but don't soccer fans call him D10S? Doesn't that mean God? If so, that would explain why Messi has been a relevant figurine in nativity scenes for the past few years. Mystery solved. I don't need an anthropologist anymore.

https://efe.com/cataluna/2023-12-18/caganer-messi-el-mas-vendido-historia/

CORRECTIONS:

NOTE: Although I have never heard of the word "bood" it is a smart word. (Cf. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bood )

SUGGESTION: Delete "and all." (The sentence is more powerful without this.)

who seek to understand. [LOGIC: We never understand anything 100%, but we can "seek to understand"]

"represent"----->portray

father. [If I remember correctly, the father of Jesus was Jospeph.]