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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/OkBake8220 on 2025-12-27 01:05:27+00:00.
Bless the little Latino woman at the shop downtown that I frequent...
I was going in to grab some Mexican Cokes and some Conchas and a few other snacks. And she was really wanting to give me gifts (some small chocolates) and I was like "No no it's ok- I- it's fine r- are you sure- ok- oh the other flavor? I- no-no you're a small business you don't have to- I- o-ok..."
As I was leaving we were talking about Three Kings Day but the Mexico tradition. Breaking the bread and finding baby Jesus. Now, I'm aware of this tradition as I have an ex who was Catholic and we celebrated Three Kings Day with like a dinner with family? I'll be very honest it makes sense, but I was never explained the specifics beyond my own research into the Bible and Christianity when I was figuring out my religious inclinations. Anyways! She was saying how she didn't want to assume my religion or make me uncomfortable, but she wanted to give me another gift. And I, being religiously ambiguous and very open to (almost) all religions said "Oh! I'm not religious in any particular way." And she lit up.
I have been given rosaries, Mary Magdalene figures, etc. before and I always try to be respectful, often leaving them in churches or even like the food/blessing boxes with notes. Try to keep the good vibes passed on and going for those that truly might need it.
She held up a baby Jesus doll. I was both very confused and also intrigued. Some things I think got lost in translation, and I thought she was gifting it to me to give to someone else. After some research, I have realized the complete error of my ways.
If I understand, you break bread on three kings day (it is a specific type of bread with a baby Jesus hidden in one). Whoever gets Jesus becomes the godparent and then has the baby Jesus for the year. You dress it up, swaddle it, etc. and on what would be the pagan holiday of Imbolc (Feb 1 or 2) the godparent hosts a party with tamales and such.
I have several issues in this situation:
- I am not Christian, and while I could wholeheartedly swaddle and set him in a church for another that feels horribly inappropriate (it is quite literally the size of a preemie newborn)
- I do not want to be meanspirited, even if the doll is kinda freaky looking. (Very long eyelashes, very slay)
- I live in an apartment
- I am a pagan
- All of my close friends are pagan and none of us have children
- I have no idea how to make tamales
So... To anyone willing to take this seriously and not attempt to convert me (please respect this), how do I proceed? I feel bad I didn't outright say I was pagan, but I also try to be kind as I know gifts from religious individuals is truly from their heart. It isn't always a means of conversion, and even as a pagan I respect the positivity that these gifts can showcase. But... I have a baby Jesus doll sitting on my desk, currently wearing one of my doll wigs because the plastic hair looked atrocious, and don't know what the most respectful thing to do is. My pagan friends are on board with incorporating it into our Imbolc festivities since I mean, Goddess Brigid, but I don't think any of us want to be disrespectful.
We've thought about dressing him in a swaddle or in Brigid's colorations for Imbolc, letting it be the lamb she carries. But I (again) don't know what would be considered inappropriate or not.
TLDR; I have accidentally acquired a Baby Jesus Doll used for a specific Mexican Christian holiday that I only just learned it's meaning for, and I am a pagan with no idea how to proceed. Please advise????