Assemble A Paper Shoebox Nativity

       The stories about the birth of Jesus are most important to present to the children at Christmas time. We suggest, therefore, that the events which occurred at the time of the birth of God's Son be visualized in every possible way. (first publisher was by Standard) The assembly of these scenes as a handwork project is not only enjoyable, but also profitable, because 90% of our lessons are learned by "doing" them. Encourage and help your children to prepare this Nativity scene. This scene may be set up on the mantel-piece, under the tree, or on a table in the classroom. If handled with care, it can be put away with the tree ornaments from year to year. One package of dark-blue crepe paper is more than enough for the background. Attach it to the wall with blue thumbtacks or scotch tape. Paste the big star and the angels to the background. Note the one angel speaking to the shepherds on the left of the host of angels in the heavens. The whole story is presented here regardless of time. The shepherds and the Wise-men did not visit the baby Jesus upon the same night, but we can imagine them far away. Set the Wisemen as far to the right as space allows. 

       To build a stable for the paper printables below, start with a shoe box and lid. Cut two side edges horizontal of each other as shown on the right in figure 1. Paste "A" to "B," positioning the lid to hang over the front opening. Use tacky glue between the layers of cardboard and cover the sides and roof using brown paper bags or brown construction paper. Make sure to cover the open triangle shapes at either end with the layers of paper to make the stable stronger. Support the roof with two twigs, hot glue these in place with the help of an adult. (shown in figure 2.) Make a pattern for the roof a little larger than the roof. There should be about an inch more paper to hang off the roof; cut the additional paper into a fringe as seen in figure 3. Cut more paper, yellow, into shreds to include piled up about the stable for cushion; this is the straw for the animals. Figure 4. is the assembled stable.

More Nativity Crafts for Kids:

• "The Old, Old Story" Silhouettes - from Color The Bible
• Children can model their own Nativity scene! - using oven-bake clay or Sculpey
• Print color and cut a Nativity Diorama using paper creche figures from our Belznickle Blog here

The baby Jesus printable. Cut the manger from heavy brown construction
paper. Fold and paste, as directed. Cut the yellow hay on all solid lines, to
make a fringe. Fold the fringe so that it will not lie evenly; paste this to the
manger. Cut the baby from flesh colored paper. Draw his face and fold his
arms up. Paste white clothes to the baby for warmth. Lay him in the
manger, but do not paste him down if you want to lay him in his
mother's arms later.

Mary and Joseph printable. Fold on the dotted lines, cut on the solid lines.
Layer on with glue the headdress and veil for each figure. Mary is seated
Joseph is standing next to her.

The donkey and sheep printable. Cut two donkey shapes and paste these 
back-to-back; fold under the tab between the two sides so that the donkey
may be displayed in a standing position, inside of the stable. Paste two 
ears on either side of the donkey. Follow these same steps for the sheep.

The star and rays printable. Use yellow except for the center star, which is 
tin foil or perhaps white paper with glitter on top. The rays may be as long
as you wish. Paste all of these onto a piece of large blue construction paper
or poster board for the backdrop of your shoebox nativity.

The shepherd and angels printable. Bend, cut and paste according to
the directions above.

More shepherds and sheep printable. Bend and but the figure
as shown on dotted lines. Layer the pieces together. Treat the
sheep as before.

Palm tree and camel printable. Print it three times. Cut two camel shapes and
paste these back-to-back; fold under the tab between the two sides so that the
 camel may be displayed in a standing position, inside of the stable. Cut the 
solid lines of the blanket into a fringe; do the same for the palm tree leaves.

Three wise men printable. Print it three times. Layer on his 
clothing as it is illustrated on the same pattern sheet above.