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You are here: Home / Archives for Advent

Advent

Illustrated Nativity Figures: Get Creative with Life-Size Nativity Figures

Adam Walker Cleaveland 3 Comments

Here at Illustrated Ministry, we love the creativity of our customers and our community. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again and again: some of our best product ideas have come from our customers. Some of these include backpack tags, the inspiration for creating Compassion Camp, and our Illustrated Nativity Sticker Sheets, to name a few. We are delighted when customers reach out to us with fun ideas.

Last year, we received a phone call from some friends at Saint John’s United Methodist Church (Austin, Texas), and they had a fun idea.

They loved our illustrated figures in the shadow box activity from An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness.

Nativity Figures

But those figures were a little too small for their idea. Our friends wanted life-size figures.

Life-size? Could we do that?

Sure!

When we asked them for more details about their project, they told us how they wanted to use the Godly Play Christmas Eve story in their worship service, but knew they needed the pieces to be large enough for the whole congregation to see the story well. With 300+ people in attendance, they wanted each of the nativity figures to be visible in all areas of the sanctuary.

They reached out to see if we would work with them because they love how our art allows for imagination and inclusion and looks mature enough for everyone in their sanctuary setting to enjoy.

And we were delighted to help.

Creating Life-size Nativity Figures

We all worked together to figure out the characters they needed, and then we created life-size digital images that could be used in their Christmas Eve service. The results were truly breathtaking.

Nativity Figures Holy Family

Nativity Figures Magi
Nativity Figures Magi
Nativity Figures Cow
Nativity Figures Holy Family
Nativity Figures Sheep Angel

These Illustrated Nativity Figures are now available in our store here, and we asked our friends from Saint John’s to give us more details about the supplies they needed and the steps they took to pull off such a fun idea!

We’re providing these digital Nativity figures to you, but in the end, how you choose to use them is entirely up to you! We CAN’T WAIT to see all of the creative ways you find to use them.

Below you will find their supply list and the steps Saint John’s took to make their Illustrated Nativity Figures.

Don’t have time to read this all right now? Click here to download a PDF version of this post, which includes the supply list and steps for creating your own life-size Illustrated Nativity Figures.

Supply List

  • Illustrated Nativity Figures: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, cow, sheep, donkey, camel, three shepherds, teen shepherd, angels, magi, stars, and the “Emmanuel” banner. The tallest pieces might be around six feet tall.
  • White Duct Tape: Use to attach the stands (made from large scraps of the foam board)
  • PVC Pipe: cut to 6′–8′ (these heights depend on the specific needs for your setting)
  • PVC Pipe connector
  • Flange
  • Plywood: One 8′ x 4′ piece of plywood cut in half to make two 4′ x 4′ pieces
  • Eight screws (four for each stand)
  • Screwdriver
  • Hot knife

Steps for Creating your Characters

Get Your Life-size Figures Printed

Having the digital images printed out on foam core boards at a place like FedEx/Kinkos will give you the smoothest finish and look. Another option is to print characters and designs out on large poster paper, and then glue them to insulation foam board with adhesive spray. This is less expensive but doesn’t give the same smooth finish as having a print shop directly print onto the foam core board.

Picking Up Nativity Figures
Picking up Illustrated Nativity Figures
Unpacking Nativity Figures
Unboxing Nativity Figures

Cut out Characters

Cut out the character along the inside of each poster’s dotted cut lines using a hot knife—the dotted lines are about an inch from the characters’ solid outline. The hot knife can be tricky to find the right temperature without burning the board, so practice on a scrap area of the board before starting. When using the hot knife, please make sure you are in an open space—either outside with an electric outlet or in a garage with the garage door open. The hot knife gives off smoke and an unpleasant smell, so a well-ventilated area is essential. As you cut, try to keep your scrap pieces large and make sure to save them. These can be used to build the stands and add structural support to the “floating” pieces.

Nativity Figures
Nativity Figures after they’ve been cut

Paint Characters

After cutting out the characters, you may decide to paint a portion of them (i.e., the magi’s gifts, the angels’ halos, the shepherds’ staffs, etc.) to help make them ‘pop’ and give them some extra dimensions. They used acrylic paint and made sure not to saturate the paper thoroughly. One coat was sufficient.

Painting Nativity Figures
Painting the Nativity Figures
Painted Holy Family
Some of the characters painted
Nativity Figures Joseph
Joseph

Make Stands

They then used the scrap pieces to make stands. They used different sizes and attached those pieces with white duct tape to each character’s back to make the “L” shaped stands. Finding the right angle and stability for each piece takes a little trial and error.

The star and the angel needed to be higher than all the rest, so they attached those with PVC pipes, a PVC connector, flange, plywood, and screws. They had a hardware store cut the plywood and the PVC pipe to the sizes they needed. (The plywood was about a 4′ square, and the PVC pipes were between 6′–8′ for them. Adjust accordingly for the height needed for your space.)

They screwed the flange down in the middle of each plywood board, using four screws on each flange and board. On the backs of the angels and the star, they taped scraps of the foam board to add structural support (using lots of white duct tape). Then they taped the PVC pipes to the backs, after evaluating and adjusting the height of each one.

Nativity Figures Stands
Making stands for the characters
PVC stands for characters
PVC stands for characters

Plan Placement

Before their Christmas Eve service, they placed all of the pieces on the “set.” They then put small pieces of blue tape on the floor to mark where each nativity figure would go. They rehearsed with their set crew, starting first with all the pieces in their final placement to see where everything needed to be placed. Then they rehearsed with each of the pieces in their “off-stage” places, and they practiced putting them in place with the timing of the readings.

They made their idea come to life and added each “character” to the set as they read through the Godly Play story. Using the intentional and slow movement from Godly Play, their “set crew” (including youth) walked each character on the set slowly so everyone could watch the placement.

Your Projected Costs

Check with your local printer for costs of printing the digital images, and check your local hardware store for prices of the supply list items.

Ideas for Using Illustrated Nativity Figures

We are so excited for you to start imagining and making fantastic creations with these Illustrated Nativity Figures. Here are a few photos from customers who have used our Illustrated Nativity Figures:

Illustrated Nativity Figures
Illustrated Nativity Figures
Illustrated Nativity Figures
Illustrated Nativity Figures
Illustrated Nativity Figures

We know you will have more ideas, but here are a few ways you could consider using these Illustrated Nativity Figures:

  • Create a brand-new nativity scene to go outside your church. We all know the look of the ‘traditional’ Nativity scenes, and perhaps your church is ready for a new, modern, Illustrated Ministry-designed Nativity Scene.
  • Have children, youth, or even individual families, agree to help paint and decorate one of the Illustrated Nativity Figures.
  • Consider setting them up in your church’s parking lot and doing a drive-thru experience. Create a liturgy or set of readings that families could do together as they drive past each of the Illustrated Nativity Figures.
  • Are you looking for new graphics for your Advent/Christmas worship bulletins? Or perhaps you could use them for slides, or even include them on Zoom backgrounds while you preach?

Nativity Figures in Bulletin

There are many ways you can use these in your ministry, especially when we’re all needing to rethink and reimagine what Advent and Christmas look like during a pandemic.

Click here to download a PDF version of this post, supply list, and instructions to share it with friends and colleagues in your community.

An Illustrated Advent for Families

Adam Walker Cleaveland Leave a Comment

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest family Advent devotional resource: An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness! It’s not just an Advent devotional for kids, but for people of all ages.

Family Devotional for Advent

Click here to ORDER NOW

Our church families love An Illustrated Advent for Families. We print it out and have it available throughout Advent. I love the inclusive illustrations and short and accessible devotions. The materials needed aren’t complicated. Illustrated Ministry’s products are made for modern, progressive, busy families.
– Erica Jeglum, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Advent Devotional for Families

It’s hard to believe, but this is our fifth year of publishing our annual Advent resource for families. An Illustrated Advent for Families provides families with a resource for engaging their children in faith formation during the Advent season. This Advent devotional for kids and families, along with An Illustrated Lent for Families, has been used by thousands of families around the world, and we can’t wait for you to check out this new edition.

FREE SAMPLE: Click here to download a free sample of An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness.

Order your copy of An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness by visiting our store today!

Family Advent Devotional for Kids


Family Advent Devotional

Advent Family DevotionalIt’s no secret that families today are busy, and rather than make a family Advent devotional that feels burdensome, we wanted to create an Advent devotional for kids and families that would be simple but meaningful. Accessible for all ages, but also thought-provoking.

An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness will help you slow down, ask questions, have fun, be intentional about how you spend your family time and get creative! There are simple but meaningful devotions for all ages, a fantastic craft that includes coloring and will be fun to create throughout Advent, and an Advent Calendar that is more than just opening up chocolates every day before Christmas.

Keep reading to learn a bit more about the activities in this year’s edition, and to hear testimonials from people who have used our previous versions of An Illustrated Advent for Families.

I like everything Illustrated Ministry puts out. We use it consistently and find their products to be beautiful, they align with our theology, and they are easy to use. An Illustrated Advent for Families is excellent for helping families spend some time attending to their faith during a hectic time of year.
– Jessie Brajcki, Children’s and Youth Pastor, Artisan Church

Advent Devotional for Kids

Advent for Families

This year’s theme is In Light & Darkness. The weekly devotions explore the theme of light and darkness in Advent scriptures. How we understand these ideas affect the way we view God, our faith, and our world. Inspired by Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, we re-frame traditional understandings of light as good and darkness as bad or evil.

Light and Darkness

Each week, there is a suggested scripture to read, a short reflection, discussion questions, an activity (with lots of coloring opportunities), and a prayer to explore the theme of light and darkness working in balance in our lives.

These weekly devotionals are written so they can be used by children of all ages (and adults as well), and we believe you’ll find questions and discussion topics in each of the devotionals that will work for your children, no matter the age.

I am looking forward to using the “In Light & Darkness” resources this year because I know the information will be theologically appropriate and sound. It is also a meaningful way for families to connect during the busy Advent and Christmas season. And I especially love there is an additional all-ages devotional this year (In Light & Darkness: An Illustrated Devotional), so we can genuinely do intergenerational ministry during Advent.
– Mary Hagley, Minister of Families, Dixboro UMC

In Light & Darkness: An Illustrated Devotional, the devotional pictured and referenced below, is not included with An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness, but we wanted you to see what you could also purchase as an accompanying product.

In Light & Darkness: An Illustrated Devotional

This year we are also offering another devotional that goes into our theme of light and darkness a bit more, and also has discussion questions that work for all ages. This Illustrated Devotional is a new type of product for us, and we think you’re really going to like it.

This unique intergenerational resource is a hybrid devotional/coloring book. In Light and Darkness: An Illustrated Devotional includes five weekly devotions for all ages, as well as illustrations to color and opportunities to doodle and engage with the content in fun and creative ways. The photos below can help give you a sense of some of the coloring opportunities in this devotional.

Light and Darkness Advent Devotional
Light and Darkness Advent Devotional
Light and Darkness Advent Devotional
Light and Darkness Advent Devotional
Light and Darkness Advent Devotional
Light and Darkness Advent Devotional

You can purchase this illustrated devotional here.

FREE SAMPLE: Click here to download a free sample of An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness.

Christmas Shadow Box Theater

Advent Craft for Kids

We are excited about this fabulous craft this year: our Christmas Shadow Box Theater. By following simple directions, you can build your Christmas Shadow Box Theater and use it to act out the story of Christmas using light and shadows.

Advent Craft for Families
What you’ll need
Advent Craft for Families
Making the Shadow Box
Advent Craft for Families
More supplies for coloring characters
Advent Craft for Families
Working on characters
Advent Craft for Families
City of Bethlehem
Advent Craft for Families
Making stands

This is a great supplemental activity for Sunday School, to use at an Advent festival or event, and for families with young children to help tell the Christmas story.

While our youngest participants may need some additional assistance with this year’s craft, it is something that all ages can participate in. And certainly, it is an activity that all ages will have fun playing with once it’s created.

Advent Coloring for Kids
Coloring the Shadow Box
Holy Family Coloring Advent Kids
Coloring the Characters

Click here to ORDER NOW

As a Christian educator who is also a mom, I found this resource to be an excellent guide for our family and our congregation’s families during Advent. I appreciated how both my 8-year-old and 5-year-old could engage with the writings, questions, and prayers. The coloring is always a hit and creates space for conversations and questions around scripture…I’ve done a lot of research on Advent devotionals for families and hands down, An Illustrated Advent for Families is the best. Sound theology with content that has depth and engages families while understanding the realities of a family’s life makes this resource a must-have for Advent.
– Jenna Campbell, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK

We also have this craft available for purchase as a standalone activity. You can purchase our Illustrated Christmas Shadow Box Theater, and find other crafts from past years, here.


Advent Activities for Families

Advent Calendar

While many Advent calendars today come with the promise of chocolates or toys behind each of the numbered doors, this Advent calendar is a little different. Our Advent calendar is more of an activity calendar — activities that can help you get into the Advent and Christmas spirit.

Some of these activities will be great for your kids to do by themselves—others will require the whole family. And some activities require you to get out of your house and go into your community.

Illustrated Ministry always does a good job creatively welcoming you into the Advent season. Their design elements are fun and engaging, yet approachable and straightforward in all the detail. I appreciate the way their resources give kids and families a platform to step into the mystery of Advent in compelling and meaningful ways.
– Daniel Booker, Associate Pastor of Children & Families, Bethany Covenant Church

Each of the Advent calendar activities fits in with our theme of light and darkness and will help participants (of all ages) think about light and darkness and how it can affect how we think about Advent and Christmas.

Below are 3 sample activities from the Advent Calendar:

  • When it is dark outside, lights and sparkles remind us to celebrate. Does your family use Christmas lights to light up your home or Christmas tree? What about glitter or tinsel? How many sparkly, reflective, shimmery, or flashing things can you find in your home? Set a timer for three minutes and see who can find the most LIGHT!
  • Advent is a time of waiting and slowing down to think about life. But we are usually busy in December! Schedule a time during your day to do something slow. Read a book, write in your journal, meditate, or play with playdough. But do it verrryyyy sloooowwwlllyyy.
  • Some people do not have access to electricity, so it can be tough for children to do their homework after dark. Find an organization that provides solar lamps to families with children and gift them with a donation.
In past years, we have written our own Advent materials or adapted something from an older in-house devotional. An Illustrated Advent for Families was so much easier, still very reasonably priced, and theologically aligned with our view of Advent. It is easy to use, beautifully crafted, thoughtfully written, theologically sound, and thoroughly engaging.
– Kristine Nussbaum, Minster of Education, Kidron Mennonite Church

Order your copy of An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness by visiting our store today!


Advent Devotions for Families and Kids

We hope you’ll take some time to check out An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness, and let us know if you have any questions. Whether you thought you were just looking for an Advent devotional for kids, or if you specifically wanted a family Advent devotional – our Illustrated Advent for Families has something for everyone.

FREE SAMPLE: If you’d like to download a sample of the resource to check out before you purchase, you can click here.
Illustrated Ministry’s products are more engaging and well put together than most others. They’re always fun to use and beautiful to look at. IM’s resources are always comprehensive and engaging. I never have to look around to add things to their products to make it feel fleshed out. If you’re looking for something that will be fun and educational for families, this is what you need.
– Hollie Friot, Church School Director, Barre Congregational Church (UCC)

Click here to ORDER NOW

5 Fantastic Family-Friendly Charities to Support Right Now

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Family-friendly charities focus on issues that children will likely want to invest in. So, we’ve put together a list of five to choose from to make your holiday giving easy.

family-friendly charities 101

You amazing church leaders and parents likely have family-friendly charities you love to support. Share with us in the comments how giving has encouraged generosity in the kids you nurture.

Raising Funds to Donate

There are a few ways to gather holiday giving funds with your child to donate to charity.

First, simply tell your child a set amount you will allow them to give. Then, go online and have them go through the screens necessary to donate to the charity they choose.

Second, if your child has a piggy bank, or something similar, invite them to take funds from there. Then, send that money (or a check of equal value) to one of the family-friendly charities you choose. Or drop the money in person, if the organization is local.

Third, create easy ways for them to raise funds to donate. For example, invite them to be in charge of saving aluminum cans in your home. Then, take them to the recycling center to redeem the cans for coins.

To best teach children about holiday giving, connect them to concrete actions as often as possible. Keep this in mind, especially if your child is young. On the other hand, youth are better equipped to think abstractly. Encouraging teenagers to give can be a bit less involved for this reason.

family-friendly charities 102

5 Family-Friendly Charities to Support

No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry knows that we have plenty of food in the United States. And we have meal programs that work. The problem is that not enough kids are able to access them.

That’s a problem they know how to solve. And your kids can be a part of the solution.

DONATE to No Kid Hungry.

KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! knows that kids are missing out on the childhood they deserve. Play is disappearing at home, at school, and in communities, particularly for the 14 million children living in poverty.

So, the organization pairs funding partners with under-resourced communities who come together to build safe playgrounds, in just one day, resulting in kids feeling valued.

DONATE to KaBOOM!

family-friendly charities 105

Alex’s Lemonade Stand

Alex’s Lemonade Stand strives to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

Alexandra “Alex” Scott held a front yard lemonade sale to raise money for childhood cancer. She herself was diagnosed with cancer just before she turned one and passed away at the age of eight. So, her family carries on her legacy through this organization.

DONATE to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is a major national conservation organization focused solely on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity.

It is one of the family-friendly charities that focuses on the inherent value of wildlife and the natural world, and this defines their important niche in the environmental and conservation community.

DONATE to Defenders of Wildlife.

family-friendly charities 103

Hope International

Hope International focuses on something more abstract: entrepreneurship in developing countries. Therefore, it may be a good choice for youth in your family. This charity assists individuals turn their talents, education, or skills into sustainable businesses.

For example, your child may be able to help a woman buy a stove to set up her bakery. Or, they may buy a share of a greenhouse to help a farmer grow vegetables to sell.

DONATE to Hope International.

Giving is a Gift

All of us here at ICM hope you and your family find joy in holiday giving this season. Making this time to encourage generosity at home is a gift to your kids, for sure. So, we hope our list of five family-friendly charities helps. And don’t forget to tell us in the comments how you’re encouraging generosity in your kids!

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