Catholic Activity: Christmas Crib

The Christmas crib or creche should be the most important Christmas decoration in the Christian home. Making your own Christmas crib is a beautiful tradition, and is a great teaching tool for the children.

DIRECTIONS

Making the crib figures is another family project to consider. Figures of modeling clay; Mary, Joseph and the Child carved in Ivory soap, or even cardboard cutouts which the children can make are just a few of the possible mediums. What if good St. Joseph smiles a bit hideously from behind his beard, or if our Lady has a definite cross-eyed look as in one crib on proud display — in a home where a wise mother and father did not try to improve on their children's efforts. To these children their crib was more beautiful than the most elaborate carvings, and they set the figures lovingly in place with the conviction that their work had given honor to the Christ-Child.

Activity Source: Twelve Days of Christmas, The by Elsa Chaney, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 1955