A Nativity Christmas – Projects, Books, and Movies

The nativity story is so special to me. I love our nativity set and always have loved setting it up with my mom each year. It held a special magic to me and still does. A magic born of years of childlike faith and joy.

Nativity project ideas

These last months of the year are sometimes so busy that is important to slow down and show our kids the meaning of this celebration. Reading the nativity story, setting up the nativity scene, and going to a nativity play are all wonderful ways to bring the story of Jesus’ birth to the forefront of our minds.

There are many projects that kids love to be a part of during the days of Christmas school. They can make a nativity diorama, Popsicle stick ornaments, color nativity pictures, make a nativity lapbook, or make figures from clay. Little ones can have fun with a nativity-themed sensory bin full of sticks, rocks, cloth, and wooden toys!

The ideas are endless and I hope this inspires you to keep the story of Christmas alive and real to your children even long before the busyness of the season.

The Nativity Story Lapbook

This year I wanted to make a one-of-a-kind lapbook for the Christmas season. A lapbook around the greatest story we know. A special nativity lapbook for children to know the meaning of the celebration.

It is a simple lapbook for children to assemble with detailed little flip books describing each person and element unique to this wonderful story. Each with a Bible verse that explains their role in this great story.

Making a lapbook from a file folder is super easy. To learn more go to this blog post! Cutting out the elements takes little time and I strongly recommend using a xacto knife and a good pair of scissors.

My most favorite thing about this lapbook is the nativity scene that is included. Children can use these pieces as storytelling elements or tape them to their lapbook as they see fit. I just love the imagination and reading comprehension that shows when they act out the story themselves.

The best thing about lapbooks is in what they are. They are interactive notebooks for children to hold on their lap and play with as they learn. They can open the elements, use the pieces, and tell the story to someone else. A wonderful tactile way for children to be included in the story they are being told.

The Nativity Story Books

Here are some wonderful children’s books that retell the nativity story. Having these on your bookshelf at the beginning of the holidays brings so much joy and truth to the season. Making time to snuggle up each day or night and read from a stack of beautifully illustrated Christmas books will mean more to your children than anything else.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale – by Martin Waddell
The Christmas Story – retold and illustrated by Carol Heyer
The Christmas Story– by Jane Werner Watson
The First Christmas Night – by Keith Christopher
Little Golden Book: The Animal’s Christmas Eve – by Gale Wiersum
Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas: God’s Plan for the Nativity from Creation to Christ – by Sarah Young
This First Christmas Night – by Laura Godwin

Nativity Story Movies

There is a magic around family movie nights! These movies specifically tell the true Christmas story in a special way. Some are perfect for little ones and some are for the big kids who want to know more of the Biblical and historical truths to the story. There are many movies retelling this wonderful story, but these four are our favorites.

If you need more Christmas movies for the whole family go to this blog post to find my complete list!

The Star (2017)

In this animation, a donkey who wishes for more out of life ends up a part of the greatest story ever told. This movie is called an ‘imaginative retelling of the Nativity story’ and is a silly movie for children.

Journey to Bethlehem (2023)

This musical retelling of the nativity story is a great movie for families with multiple ages. I personally love this movie so much and the songs are really good. The soundtrack is on repeat here during the holidays!

The Nativity Story (2006)

A more Biblical based movie retelling the actual story of Jesus’ birth starting with the events leading up to Jesus’ birth and then detailing that wonderful night.

Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night (2023)

A compilation of The Chosen’s ‘The Messengers’ and ‘The Shepherds’ – making a wonderful movie from the shepherds perspective of Jesus’ birth as well as Joseph and Mary’s perspectives.

There are many ways to bring the nativity story to life starting by making the story real in your home. Teaching your children the reason why we celebrate. Showing them the sacrificial love Jesus had to come down to this earth as a baby, grow up to lead others to our Father God, then die for us, rise again, and ascend into Heaven to prepare our eternal home with Him. This is the ultimate sacrifice and because of that we worship HIM not just during the holiday season but every single day. We thank Him for all he has done and we celebrate with friends and family, giving Him the glory.

I pray that you are blessed this Christmas. That you see how real God is, how kind, and how wonderful. I pray for your families to see His goodness and that there will be peace and healing in your homes.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV