One of the most inviting aspects of the Nativity image is the presence of animals alongside the Holy Family, paying their own silent homage to the newborn King.

For that reason, one of the most inviting and educational and, yes, even fun places for families (especially those with young children) to hang out in downtown Los Angeles can be the Children's Garden (a.k.a, the Olive Garden) at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' Plaza. Surrounded by olive trees, it is inhabited by concrete statue renditions of a dozen of God's creatures great and small, taken from Scripture, who --- even in their inanimate state --- have much to teach humankind about God's creation.

What qualities, for example, might a camel possess or be identified with, qualities that followers of Christ might themselves seek for themselves? What about bees? Or lions? Or monkeys?

Your answers are right below you on the serpentine path that winds through the garden (which is a clue, by the way, to the whereabouts of one of the creatures named on the walk). A few animals are adorned with provocative phrases; the donkey's blanket, for example, which bears a Mexican proverb (in English and Spanish): "Better a donkey you have to encourage than one that won't carry its load."

It doesn't hurt a bit for parents to accompany kids, both to explain some of the words used to describe the various creatures, and to reflect on their respective qualities.

Visitors are invited to go a step or two further, in considering the relationship of the various animals, and how that connects to us humans. Isn't it something, that animals are all created differently, with unique gifts? What does that tell us about our own human selves?

And while you're asking those questions, and making your own observations, consider this one: Which direction are most of the animals facing? And which animal is facing the others?

Happy trails.

---Mike Nelson