Things You'll Need:
- Tools (hammer, nails, etc.)
- Photos depicting the nativity
- Arts-and-crafts materials
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Step 1
Research the nativity story. Knowing the events that preceded the birth of Jesus will help you to choose the right elements and know how to organize them. See References for accounts of the nativity and Step 5, "Assemble your nativity scene," for more information.
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Step 2
When building an outdoor nativity scene, you can be flexible in terms of size and the amount of space you use. This will make it easier for you to capture a sense of time and movement as well as inspiring reverence.
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Step 3
Make a list of the characters and elements. Your nativity scene will display a stable with hay; the baby Jesus in a manger; the Virgin Mary kneeling down, dressed in blue and beige; Joseph wearing a dark or striped robe and kneeling; an angel; the Star of Bethlehem; shepherds holding shepherd staffs; sheep who are lying down, sitting or grazing; the three wise men wearing robes and turbans and holding jewels; at least one donkey and camels dressed with saddles.
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Step 4
Buy or make your materials. Do an Internet search for "where to buy nativity scene materials" for a list of online resources. For low prices, shop at eBay.com or visit Goodwill or the Salvation Army for accessories such as a doll to use as Baby Jesus, a blanket, animal figures and other doll items such as a house to use as your stable. To build the stable and manger from scratch, buy wood and wood-finish paint from a lumber or home-improvement store. Arts-and-crafts stores will have Styrofoam figures, glitter and fake jewels, which you can use to create your angel and the jewels held by the three wise men. Use a lighted Christmas-tree star as the Star of Bethlehem.
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Step 5
Assemble your nativity scene. Start with the stable and lay the hay down. Place the manger in the center and a blanketed baby Jesus inside of it. Place Mary and Joseph across from each other overlooking the manger. Show a donkey tied up outside of the stable. This is the animal who brought Mary to Bethlehem. Show the star on top of the stable alongside the angel. Show your other visitors arriving in consecutive order.
