Stories Behind the Nativities

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This Nativity was adapted from a "Paint Your Own Scene" Gingerbread House Kit from Merry Moments by Carrollton resident Susan Rogers in 2025. The original gingerbread designs can still be seen on the back of each block.

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This red and white woven tapestry proclaims The News of Jesus' Birth in Swedish. It is lent by Carrollton resident Susan Rogers, whose Swedish American Maternal Grandmother purchased it almost 100 years ago.

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This nativity from Singapore is handcrafted by a local artist who creates figurines from fragrant incense wood, blending artistry and tradition into a beautifully unique expression of faith.

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We looked and looked all over Scotland for a Scottish made or styled nativity. There aren’t any to be found. Jenny Middleton a special friend and woman from our church congregation offered to make us a personal nativity. Every piece is handmade including the backdrop. She added touches that personalized the gift. Her black cat, Steve is in the corner of the manger. She has the skyline of Scotland backed by the Aurora Borelis. A Scottish sheep dog, Harry Potter Owl, Highland cows. Two of the sheep are wearing Scottish style jumpers (sweaters). The three kings brought their traditional gifts but also a sack of Haggis. The angel is dressed in Scottish plaid and playing bagpipes. The scriptural message on top is Gaelic. The final personal touch is a patch from the Scotland/Ireland Mission where we served for 18 months.

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Crafted from naturally weathered driftwood gathered along the shores of Port Aransas, Texas, this handmade nativity captures the quiet beauty of the Christmas story through the character of the Gulf Coast. Each piece of wood—shaped by tides, sun, and sand—lends its unique texture and form to the Holy Family, reminding us that sacred stories can be told through the simple, humble materials of the earth. Rooted in Texas heritage and coastal craftsmanship, this nativity invites viewers to reflect on peace, hope, and the wonder of Christ’s birth.

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This striking nativity features a stable made from nails — a powerful symbol of sacrifice and redemption intertwined with the story of Christ’s birth.

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This nativity from Honduras is ingeniously crafted from recycled chip bags, turning everyday materials into a vibrant and eco-friendly celebration of the Christmas story.

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This powerful nativity from Monrovia, Liberia, was created by artist Calvin Fayiah using brass AK-47 bullet casings collected from the streets — remnants of the Liberian Civil Wars (1989–2003). What were once symbols of conflict have been transformed into a depiction of the Savior’s birth — a profound reminder that through Christ, even instruments of violence can be turned into symbols of peace.

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I bought this nativity in Stockholm, Sweden while visit ancestral family sites. It’s made of six different woods! (Beech, Oak, Mahogany, Walnut, Hazel, and Pear)

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From a region in Ecuador known for its rich culture and unique dialect, this nativity beautifully captures the spirit and traditions of its people.

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This creative nativity is made entirely from clothing found at Goodwill. Each piece has been thoughtfully repurposed, giving new life to once-loved fabrics and symbolizing renewal, hope, and the beauty of second chances.

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Crafted from natural bamboo in the Philippines, this nativity showcases the artistry and resourcefulness of Filipino craftsmanship, blending faith with the beauty of sustainable materials.

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Made entirely from everyday seasonings, this whimsical nativity sends “Seasonings Greetings” — a creative and fragrant twist on a beloved Christmas tradition!

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This unique nativity is crafted entirely from materials used in making oboe reeds. The figures are formed from reeds that could no longer be played, while the background and “straw” are made from the shavings and cane left over from reed making — a beautiful harmony of music, creativity, and faith.

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This handmade nativity from southern Colombia features decorations crafted from natural fibers such as wheat stems, barley, and totora, all carefully arranged on wood. Finished with natural shellacs and waxes, it showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of the people of southern Colombia.

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Created in contemporary glass and centered on a mirrored Christ child, this nativity invites viewers to see themselves in the story of His light. Clean lines and transparent forms symbolize purity, peace, and the clarity of divine truth. The mirrored Jesus reflects not only the glow of the surrounding figures but also the light within each of us, reminding us that His radiance lives on as we choose to carry it into the world.

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This Nativity was created by Carl Hermann, a computer programmer/artist I was blessed to meet in 1996 at his first trade show. I remember walking by his table and being drawn in by the simplicity and quiet beauty of the figures. When I stopped to admire them, he shared the story behind the set. This was his first sculpture. He had originally made it for his mother—a heartfelt gift for her mantle.
As we talked, he explained the meaning he had thoughtfully built into each piece. None of the figures have detailed eyes except for the baby Jesus. He told me this was intentional, to symbolize the Savior’s omniscience- Christ truly sees all. He also designed the sheep to face away from Jesus- a reminder of the lost sheep He came to save.
Listening to Carl, I felt something more than just artistic insight—I felt his testimony woven into the lines of each figure and his faith in the way he spoke of the Savior. I walked away touched, grateful for that unexpected moment of worship in the middle of a trade show.
Since that day, this Nativity has been my favorite—not only for its beauty, but for the quiet witness it carries, and the memory of the artist who shared his faith through his hands and his heart.

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Handcrafted from recycled newspapers in India, this nativity transforms everyday materials into a meaningful work of art, reflecting creativity, sustainability, and devotion.

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Each year when our children were young, we would observe kind acts, service, or developing talents in our family and write them down as “gifts for Jesus.” We placed these papers in a stocking embroidered with a Nativity scene. Before opening presents on Christmas morning, we read each note together, filling our home with love and reminding us of the more meaningful gifts we were offering that season.
The stocking we used was one I made when my children were small. I cross-stitched the front, then sewed the backing and lining with a friend’s help. I had planned to make one for each child, but it took so much time that I eventually purchased their stockings—and this special handmade one became our family’s stocking for Jesus.

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Handcrafted from the wool of sheep raised near Bethlehem and tended by female shepherds, this nativity brings the story of Christ’s birth back to its sacred origins. The soft, natural fibers reflect the humble setting of the manger and honor the pastoral lives of the women who watched over their flocks on those same hills. Each figure is shaped with care, allowing the authentic Bethlehem wool to convey simplicity, reverence, and a tangible connection to the land where the Savior was born.
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