Nativity Crafts for Little Hands

Jesus IS the Reason for this Season of Celebration but it can be hard to convey
that to young children with all the holiday hustle and bustle. Many of us don't
quite have on our happy faces with all we have to get done during this time.
It is important that we aren't unknowingly teaching our little ones material
possessions and perfection as the quality of the Christmas season.

When I was a little girl I stayed at my great aunts home on a regular basis.
She had this gorgeous nativity that she would set up each year. It was
made of ceramic and painted beautifully by I'm not sure by who. Our church
today has a similar one on our church alter. Since my Great Grandfather
was minister of our church I have a feeling that both of them came from
the same person. The figures are  intricately detailed. I remember as
a little child being enamored with that little baby. My aunt would allow me
to hold Him gently in my hands. I'd cradle the little manger. I really wantedto just take Him with me. Take that ceramic baby with me whereever I went.
I could see myself cradling Him and hiding under the table so I could have
Him all to myself. What I really knew as that little girl ,with the big brown eyes,
is that this little baby was really important. I knew early on that He would be
a big part of my life. I guess what I am telling you is that little ones comprehend
a lot more than we give them credit for sometimes. And I want nothing more
than to give those little faces a baby Jesus that they can hold and hide away
all the while storing Him in their hearts. An Idea they can hold all to themselvesand know they are valued and loved by our Creator.

Incidentally my great aunt pasted a few years ago. I have many found memories
 of her. I bought her nativity at auction. The pieces were broken and
many were crumbling from age. However baby Jesus is still lying snuggly in
his manger. I hold on to that to remember the child in me. To remember that
simple love I felt for Jesus at such an early age. Because of His great love
I give you this Jesus Nativity Craft  for you to do with your kids.

Baby Jesus Craft

What you will need:

Small basket (I bought ours from the dollar tree)
Seamless knee high nylon stockings.
Polyfiber fill
Sharpie
Yarn
Felt Square- Large enough to make a blanket for baby
or a baby doll blanket
Shredded paper you typically buy for inside gift bags or Easter Grass
Ribbon

Crafting Directions:

1. For little hands hold open the nylon sock while they stuff
it with polyfiber fill. Check desired length to your basket so
that you ensure baby fits inside.

2. Once you have the baby the desired length tie the
bottom shut. If there is excess nylon at the bottom  you can cut it
off under the knot.

3. It is good now to wrap baby in the blanket so that you
know how much face will be available to you. It is fun to
show little ones how we swaddle a real baby. If you don't know
for sure here is the directions for Swaddling4. Use your ribbon now and tie it around baby to hold on the
blanket while little ones play.

5. Draw on the face with sharpie. Help little ones so that sharpie
doesn't end up all over them . If very young you might want to do
this step for them.

6. Glue hair as desired onto babies head. Elmers glue works ok
but you won't be able to touch him for awhile. Tacky would work
better for this project.

8. Put your grass in your basket to make a soft bed for baby.
Then lay Him inside.



Our Craft is done Now what? When you are finished with the craft there are a couple of things you
can do to reinforce what you are trying to share with your little one.

1. Read the story of Jesus birth. There are a lot of great books out there
that illustrates the story to young children ,read it directly from your bible,
or better yet tell them in your own words.

2. Pray over baby Jesus. Allow your child to share their thoughts

3. Play Allow little ones to reenact the story and to act out their own versions
with the baby. Let them explore their feelings.

4. Lay Jesus under the Christmas tree through the holiday

5. On Christmas morning. Hide Jesus in the house. Let the children
go and find him before all the gift giving begins. Lay the bible story with
Him and read it to your little ones in the quiet of the morning. More than
likely if your house is like mine. The little ones wake way before the bigger
kids do. This will give you that quiet with Jesus and little Hearts too.



Warm Blessings,

Nikki


My name is Nikki Hinkle and I am a child of God. Carl and I have
been together for 19 years now. We have 7 children and home educate.
I write reviews for the Old Schoolhouse Crew and Booksneeze.  I share
on my blog ideas for teaching children from babies to adult. You can find
me writing on my blog at Angels of Heart ,
on Twitter, and on  FacebookClick HERE to find out how you can receive a copy of my book 14 Days of Agape for free and purchase Worship the Father and Discovering True Identity .