Nativity scene - an integral symbol of the Christian holiday of the Nativity of Christ. A week before Christmas evening, the scene of the birth of the baby Jesus with the figures of the main characters is set in churches and houses. Nativity scenes are especially popular in Europe today. In Russia in ancient times, children and adults assembled portable puppet theaters in the form of nativity scenes and showed Christmas performances.
You can make a nativity scene yourself if you don’t have the opportunity to buy figures of saints or have a desire to create a Christmas miracle with your own hands.
You will need
- To create a den you need:
- - cardboard box with high walls
- - illustration or picture depicting the birth of Jesus
- - materials for the manufacture of figures: plasticine, or fabric, or paper, cardboard and pencils, matches, matches, matchbox
- - pieces of hay or conifer needles
- - a piece of silver or gold foil
Instruction manual
1
Decide what you will make the protagonists of the den from. Remember that traditionally the scene of the birth of Christ represents the baby Jesus in the cradle, the virgin Mary and the carpenter Joseph beside him, as well as, if desired, three wise men, shepherds and animals in a stable.
2
If you have chosen plasticine for making a den, blind a manger out of it (similar to a trough or box). Put a sculpted baby figure in them. Taking a sample of an image from an illustration or picture about the birth of Christ, fashion the figures of Mary and Joseph. Draw facial features with the pointed end of a match or a toothpick.
3
Take a sheet of paper, paints, colored pencils or felt-tip pens to make cardboard figures. Draw a manger, Mary and Joseph, at the request of three magi, several shepherds, a dog, and sheep. Some figures can be drawn in profile. Cut each pattern and stick it on thick cardboard. Glue a cardboard strip to the inside of the figure at an angle of 45 degrees for stability of the den.
4
Sew doll pieces of the main characters and animals from pieces of fabric and wool. Make hair and wool out of thread or yarn. Take the matchbox and glue it with a brown cloth. Put a baby doll or cloth wrapped in the form of a swaddled baby in the resulting nursery.
5
Place the cardboard box on its side and lean it against a wall or stable object. Attach the Christmas icon to the inner wall or paint a wall in the form of a wall of a crib. Throw pieces of hay or pine needles on the den floor. Put a manger in the center of the den, arrange figures of Mary, Joseph and all other heroes around. Glue a Christmas star cut out of foil to the outer upper side of the den.
note
- According to church tradition, Orthodox nativity scenes are made with flat figures, and Catholic nativity scenes with voluminous
Useful advice
- Install a nativity scene near a closed source of light or fire, and in the evening twilight the figures will be beautifully illuminated
- own experience, mini-interview with the head of the circle of arts and crafts V. A. Alekseeva
- Christmas den workshop
