It's doubtful this live goose is caroling amongst the Nativity scene in the front yard of a home on Onieda Valley Road in Center Township. The homeowner, Walt McCall, said the bird, which showed up on the property Dec. 11, begins making noise by 6 a.m. but quiets down in the evening when the Nativity lights are unplugged. In the top picture, the goose seems to be telling two of the wise men his opinion of the situation.

CENTER TWP — When Walt McCall installed a Nativity in his yard this year, he planned to display the typical wise men and manger scene.

To McCall's surprise, a live goose also has taken up residence near the camel, donkey and sheep.

"In the daytime he doesn't go too far from the Nativity characters — and at night he beds down right by the wise men and the camel," McCall said of the white goose, apparently domesticated.

McCall said at night the scene is somewhat disconcerting, since the bird's presence in the Nativity makes it seem like one of the plastic figures is broken.

"It does look like there's a light bulb out, but it's the goose," he said.

The goose showed up Dec. 11 after stopping briefly at a neighbor's, where work being done on the driveway probably discouraged it from staying, McCall said.

"The very next day, there he was lying with the Nativity scene. He found something his own size," McCall said.

"Nobody's come and got it," remarked Robert Mariacher, who also said the bird's wings have been clipped.

McCall said he began to feed the goose when it became clear the bird was not going to leave his home on Oneida Valley Road. Although the goose is calm around McCall, it charges and bites at others who try to approach the Nativity.

McCall said the bird begins making noise by 6 a.m., but quiets down in the evening when the Nativity lights are unplugged.

Unsure of the bird's origin or how it arrived on the busy road, McCall said hopes to relocate the bird once the Nativity is dissembled

Here are five tips for interfaith couples and families to help them share in and respect each other's faiths and traditions, keeping the spirit of the season alive for them.• Agree early in the relationship — even before marriage — how you'll celebrate the holidays.• Respect, show appreciation for and, to the extent you're comfortable, participate in one another's holiday traditions.• Communicate your feelings and positions with each other, with your children and with extended family members.• Be consistent about whatever you decide.• Relax. "When you start enjoying the holidays, you can feel more secure when things don't go as planned. Eat another latke or Christmas cookie—you can always tweak your game plan for next year," says Ann Arbor author Jim Keen.Source: Jim Keen, author of "Inside Intermarriage: A Christian Partner's Perspective on Raising a Jewish Family," (URJ Press, $15.95)