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Christmas Crafts
Nativity Peepshow
- Shoebox
- Paper figures
- Felt tip pens and crayons
- Cardboard
- Glue
- Scissors
- Blue cellophane 10cm square
- Sticky tape
- Craft knife, optional
- Cut a 6cm square hole in lid of shoebox and glue blue cellophane over hole on inside of lid.
- Cut a hole 8cm across and 4cm high at narrow end of shoebox. This is the peephole to look through.
- Colour figures and glue them to cardboard.
- Cut out figures including the square under each figure.
- Bend square underneath each figure.
- Arrange figures to stand at each side of the manger with animals behind. Place them at end furthest from peephole.
- Glue figures to base of shoebox. Add sticky tape for extra strength.
- Put lid on box with blue cellophane over figures. Sticky tape down securely.
- Hold box to light and look through peephole at manger scene.
- Box could be covered in wrapping paper to look more attractive. It may even become a Christmas heirloom!
 This manger scene is quicker to colour in than the previous one. |
 The scene can be reduced in size to fit inside an empty tissue box if a shoe box is not available. |
 A more simple version of a manger scene, which could be used without the star. |
Christmas Candle Table Setting
- Candles about 15cm or 6inches tall, white or red
- Red tulle net fabric or crepe paper
- Blue-tac
- Cardboard
- Glue
- Scissors
- Yoghurt container, washed
- Christmas wrapping paper
- Cellotape
- Rubber bands
- Tinsel
- Green leaves
- Coloured stars, optional
- Tray or polystyrene tray from supermarket food, optional
Basic idea:
Cut a piece of red net or crepe paper 50cm by 10cm. Stand the candle on a circle of cardboard 10cm across, sticking it with blue-tac. Frill the net or crepe paper to cover the cardboard. The candle could have little stars glued to it to add colour. Anchor the candle and cardboard to tray with blue-tac. A circle of green leaves round the cardboard complete the setting. This table setting is mainly for decoration, and not suitable for lighting unless watched carefully that the paper and net do not catch fire. More than one candle could be grouped together for a table setting on a tray.
Variation:
Glue a strip of Christmas wrapping paper round empty yoghurt container, making sure pattern is right way for when it is turned upside down. Poke a hole in bottom of container with scissors. Cut 8 little slits all round hole and gently push candle into it to form a stand for the candle.
Cut a piece of red net or crepe paper 1 metre by 10cm. Gather the net or paper in your fingers concertina-like, along the whole length of it and secure it round base of yoghurt container with a rubber band. Fluff out the net or paper around base and cover rubber band with a piece of tinsel. Glue tinsel to top of wrapping paper strip and around base of candle to conceal where it enters yoghurt container. The candle could have little stars glued to it to add colour. Yoghurt container may be secured to tray or table with blue-tac. Green leaves around it are optional. Due to fire risk of net and paper, candle is not suitable for lighting unless very carefully watched.
Pot-pouri
- Plastic 'drinking glass'
- Circle of net to fit top of glass
- Pot-pouri bought at craft shop
- Ribbon
- Glue
- Scissors
Fill glass with pot-pouri. Glue net to top of glass edge. Cover glue with ribbon. Pot-pouri could be scented wood shavings, or dried rose petals.
Christmas Wreath
- Thin pliable wire coat-hanger or wire
- Plain white plastic grocery bags
- Scissors
- Decorations
- Ribbon
Bend wire into a circle. Cut bags into strips 20cm by 10cm and tie on to wire. Hundreds of them are needed to fill wire. Trim and fluff out pieces of plastic. Decorate with red ribbon and ornaments. Tie ribbon or string at top to hang it by.
The Christmas Story
- 9 pieces of A4 paper
- Old Christmas cards with Biblical pictures on them
- Stapler
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Glue
- Wallpaper or wrapping paper
Fold each page in half to form a book. Staple it. Put a cardboard cover round pages. On front page write title, The Story of the Birth of Jesus. Write the Christmas story using Bible verses, writing on only one side of the page. On the other side of the page glue a Christmas card, suitable to the verses written. Cover cardboard with attractive paper to complete the book. Pages can be photocopied if making several books. Take care to get pages in correct order.
The Story of the Birth of Jesus
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Matt 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Matt 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matt 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matt 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Matt 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Matt 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Matt 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Matt 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Matt 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Matt 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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