--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As I was deciding on what to select…" description: "\"“As I was deciding on what to select, George motioned me over to a shelf of merchandise. He held up an unusual Nativity scene. Placed between the Holy ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/162/james-martin-18179_family_as-i-was-deciding-on-what-to-select-geor_821320.jpg" --- # As I was deciding on what to select, George motioned me… ![“As I was deciding on what to select, George motioned me over to a shelf of merchandise. He held up an unusual Nativity scene. Placed between the Holy Family and the Wise Men was a barrier, a thin block of wood. The owner explained, “That is the wall that blocks off the Palestinian territories…” quote by James Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/162/james-martin-18179_family_as-i-was-deciding-on-what-to-select-geor_821320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/162/james-martin-18179_family_as-i-was-deciding-on-what-to-select-geor_821320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/162/james-martin-18179_family_as-i-was-deciding-on-what-to-select-geor_821320.jpg) > ““As I was deciding on what to select, George motioned me over to a shelf of merchandise. He held up an unusual Nativity scene. Placed between the Holy Family and the Wise Men was a barrier, a thin block of wood. The owner explained, “That is the wall that blocks off the Palestinian territories. Jesus was a Palestinian, just like us.”” [James Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uses a Nativity scene to symbolize the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, suggesting shared humanity and the need for empathy across divisions. **In simple terms:** A Nativity scene shows a wall blocking Palestinian territories, emphasizing shared humanity. Key Takeaway Recognize shared humanity in conflict. Themes conflict empathy shared humanity religion Mood thoughtful hopeful Type educational activist When to use this quote - interfaith dialogue - educational tours - peacebuilding initiatives Key Concepts political theology peace studies symbolism Questions to Reflect On - How can symbols foster empathy? - What actions promote shared understanding? A Different Perspective Simplifies complex geopolitics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blocks Palestinian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blocks-palestinian-475572/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Jesus Palestinian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus-palestinian-475571/) [Nativity Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nativity-scene-475438/) [Territories Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/territories-jesus-475573/) [Unusual Nativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unusual-nativity-475574/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“At the center, on the lawn of the courthouse, sat a log manger with a life-size nativity scene cut out of plywood. 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