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Bible stories

The Nativity Story

Nativity story written by Sara Wegman, illustrated with photos of the Nativity puppets on a magnetic board (instructions how to make one here) 

In November 2018, at my daughter Sara’s suggestion, I created the puppets for the Nativity story, featured in the post ‘The Nativity story in twelve scenes.” I used photos of the puppets seen from the inside of a desktop screen with parchment papers (below).  In 2020, during the first Christmas season of the Pandemic the puppets were used by schools, families and church groups in nine different countries to share the story online (view a compilation of the films in Nativity Puppets in Quarantine).

Although I originally intended to publish a story-and-craft activity book with a story written by Sara, the patterns and instructions are now available on my Teachers Pay Teachers site as individual items, or as a bundle. The puppets of Mary, Jesus, Joseph, and the manger and sheep are freely available, enabling everybody to create an interactive nativity scene on a cardbox stand, fridge, felt board, or window display.

The Nativity story in twelve scenes

Puppets seen from the inside of a desktop shadow theater (Originally posted December 2018)

Shadow puppet of Joseph with lantern and pregnant Mary on donkey

Joseph and Mary are traveling to Bethlehem to register for the census. Mary is expecting her baby soon.

Shadow puppets of Joseph, Mary, and the donkey, with Mary stretching her back
Mary is taking a break to stretch her legs. They are nearing Bethlehem.
Shadow puppets of Joseph taking the oxen out off the manger while Mary watches
Mary feels that the baby is coming. But the only room left in Bethlehem is in a stable. Before Mary can give birth Joseph first has to get the ox outside.
Angel Gebriel shows baby Jesus to the donkey and oxen outside the manger
The angel Gabriel, who helped with the delivery,  shows Jesus  to the ox and the donkey before flying off to tell the shepherds.
Shadow puppets of angel waking up the shepherds to tell the news about Jesus' bir
The shepherds are very excited to hear the news.
Shadow puppets of three shepherds admiring the baby in Mary's arms while Joseph standing by
They adore the baby.
Shadow puppets of three wise men seeing the star
Far away three wise men see a star that tells them that a special child is born.
Donkie and oxen keeping bending ovet baby Jesus in the crib
The ox and donkey nibble some hay while keeping Jesus warm.
Shadow puppets of three wise men on camels following the star
The wise men have started their journey to follow the star, bringing gifts for the child.
Joseph and Mary on donkey holding baby
Soon Mary and Joseph are able to take their baby home.
wise men and camels resting sleeping underneath the star
For the wise men it is a long journey. But they do not give up until they find the child announced by the star.
Wise men offering their gifts to the baby in Mary's arms with Joseph behind her
When they finally find Jesus they offer their gifts and give thanks.

 

One of the three wise man on camels carrying gifts