As a parent, teaching my daughters the significance of Christmas is a responsibility I take seriously. Competing with the commercial noise generated by the retail industry can be a challenge, but not one that intimidates me. This year, I was determined to find fun, age-appropriate ways to engage my children in dialogue about the true meaning of the holiday beginning with a nativity scene.
In searching for the perfect nativity scene, I found myself gravitating towards handmade, simple sets the girls would be able to play with and rearrange while fabricating scripts to their versions of the Christmas pageant. Looking at several nativity sets that were egg-themed, it occurred to me that eggs are the perfect vehicle for conveying the message of Jesus’ birth, the egg itself being a symbol of new life.
I have plenty of blown eggs on-hand, courtesy of my backyard chickens and got busy crafting a nativity scene for my children.
HOW TO
Since the eggs already had holes in each end, I sealed up the bottoms with hot glue, immediately dipping them in sand. This gives the egg some weight on the bottom and seals the bottom hole. I next funneled some sand through the top hole to give the egg some stability.
Using scraps of material I have around the house, I began folding, hot gluing and dressing the Magi.
You’d never guess that Disney played a role in clothing the Wisemen, would you?
Don’t tell my daughters that I upcycled their tattered, Snow White dress, it was for a worthy cause!
Each egg was wrapped in a small piece of material and glued in place.
I stained some scrap wood, then my husband then made the barn structure, manger and a simple tray for displaying the nativity scene.
I filled the base of the tray using the sand we keep for replenishing our coop floors and runs. I decided that sand was going to be the only substrate that would keep the pageant participants standing.
The star was made by my children from cinnamon, applesauce and glue. Joseph’s belt is made from jute and his staff, paper-covered craft wire.
I finished the creche in the wee hours of the morning and was delightfully surprised to find that someone had added their own, special touch to it. ♥
Kathy Shea Mormino
Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on
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As a parent, teaching my daughters the significance of Christmas is a responsibility I take seriously. Competing with the commercial noise generated by the retail industry can be a challenge, but not one that intimidates me. This year, I was determined to find fun, age-appropriate ways to engage my children in dialogue about the true meaning of the holiday beginning with a nativity scene.
In searching for the perfect nativity scene, I found myself gravitating towards handmade, simple sets the girls would be able to play with and rearrange while fabricating scripts to their versions of the Christmas pageant. Looking at several nativity sets that were egg-themed, it occurred to me that eggs are the perfect vehicle for conveying the message of Jesus’ birth, the egg itself being a symbol of new life.
I have plenty of blown eggs on-hand, courtesy of my backyard chickens and got busy crafting a nativity scene for my children.
HOW TO
Since the eggs already had holes in each end, I sealed up the bottoms with hot glue, immediately dipping them in sand. This gives the egg some weight on the bottom and seals the bottom hole. I next funneled some sand through the top hole to give the egg some stability.
Using scraps of material I have around the house, I began folding, hot gluing and dressing the Magi.
You’d never guess that Disney played a role in clothing the Wisemen, would you?
Don’t tell my daughters that I upcycled their tattered, Snow White dress, it was for a worthy cause!
Each egg was wrapped in a small piece of material and glued in place.
I stained some scrap wood, then my husband then made the barn structure, manger and a simple tray for displaying the nativity scene.
I filled the base of the tray using the sand we keep for replenishing our coop floors and runs. I decided that sand was going to be the only substrate that would keep the pageant participants standing.
The star was made by my children from cinnamon, applesauce and glue. Joseph’s belt is made from jute and his staff, paper-covered craft wire.
I finished the creche in the wee hours of the morning and was delightfully surprised to find that someone had added their own, special touch to it. ♥
I love your nativity scene, you are so creative Kathy! Your daughters and family are so lucky to have such a dedicated mother to nourish their minds and souls. I am so in awe of you. Women of your caliber are truly a gift – as you influence those around you. You make my heart ache, wishing I'd had such a youth myself. I grew up in a catholic school/orphanage for girls, my brothers in a similar setting just for boys and we had nuns. Unfortunatley, they were not as caring or as nice. I wasn't an orphan, our parents were divorced and our mom was mentally ill… Read more »
Such a clever idea to share the reason for the season with the special touch of being home made! God bless you and your family! :)
Thanks for stopping by Ducks 'n a Row, Kathy. I LOVE your website and this nativity scene project is adorable. I have friends who teach in a Christian school that would love to do this with their students. I'm sending them the link!
BTW…I know you love chickens but if you love puppies, too, I'm starting a new blog which has begun with a FB fanpage. Stop by and like us?
Puppies-Puppies is the name and here is the link! EVERYONE who loves puppies is invited.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Puppies-Puppies/513835721967642?ref=hl
Thanks again! If you're hopping next week, I'll be back! :)
LOL Amy!! There are LOTS of us out there! Muahahahaha!
Thank you Diane. ♥ Merry Christmas.