How to Make Nativity Figures

Nativity scenes represent the birth of Jesus.

"The Nativity" is a phrase meaning the nativity, or birth, of Jesus Christ. A Nativity scene, also called a creche, is a traditional Christmas decoration in Christian homes. The Nativity scene usually consists of Nativity figures. These are small representations of the participants in the Nativity, usually Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus, although some of the more elaborate may include angels, the three wise men or the shepherds, as well. Making your own family Nativity figures can be a fun way to teach your children the spiritual importance of Christmas. You can complete the project one figure at a time, as part of Advent. You can make a creche out of almost anything, but making a simple creche in clay will provide a lasting memento, not just of the holiday, but of your children's spiritual growth.

Things You'll Need

• Plasticine or self-drying clay
• Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
• Package of toothpicks
• Pine straw or moss (optional)
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Roll balls of clay between your hands. Create enough clay balls to make the heads of all the adult figurines you need. Poke a toothpick into each clay ball and set aside.

2. Roll out larger clay balls, and shape them into flat-topped pyramids with flat bases. These need to be large and of uniform size, since they will be the bodies of the adult figurines. Attach the heads to the tops of the pyramids by inserting the toothpick end into them.

3. Pinch off a piece of clay and show your children how to press it into a rough triangle with their fingertips. You can attach this flat triangle to the body to represent the sleeve of a gown, or to the back of an angel as a wing. Mark out any details you wish to make with the toothpick, such as facial features, finger lines or feathers on the angel wings. You can attach a small clay oval to the end of the sleeve to represent a hand. Work them securely into the body to ensure that they stick.

4. Cut out clay ovals and press them out like cookie dough. Drape these over the figures to simulate hair or head coverings. Press one oval into the palm of your hand to create a small cup. This will be the manger.

5. Make a small clay ball to represent the baby's head, and a small oval for the swaddled body. Attach them together.

6. Bake the plasticine clay in your oven according to the instructions on the package. If you used self-drying clay, let it dry completely. When the clay is dry, let your children paint the figurines.

7. Glue the pine straw or the moss to the manger and let it dry completely.

8. Assemble the Nativity scene. If the creche is part of your Advent celebration, you should add the figure of the Baby Jesus to the display last of all.

References

• Christmas Creche : What is a Creche?