Outdoor Nativity Scenes – A Few Points to Consider When Designing Your Own
One can easily compare the various outdoor nativity scenes during the winter holiday season to snowflakes: no two are truly alike. An interesting concept, since these symbols of religious devotion and expression are based on a universal story that continues to both amaze and humble us all at the same time. In the fervor of gift gifting, eating, and socializing, there is also time to reflect on the nativity scene and what it means to a modern Christian audience.
Designing your own outdoor nativity scene is a fun, creative and challenging piece of religious expression that can be done with the entire family, or as a bonding experience with an entire church. Below are some points to consider as you build your own outdoor nativity scene. The largest concern with an outdoor nativity scene are the elements — wind, rain, snow, and well as animals that may wander through during any storm or heavy snowfall. A sturdy tarp over the scene protects electrical gear and decorations from wind, and a small fence around the scene can keep out most animals.
It is dangerous to run electric lights in bad weather — make sure you have inclement weather plans in place before construction begins. Next, plan out exactly how the outdoor nativity scene should look. There are numerous plans available online, but don’t forget to ask your family and church if it’s a community project. Try to aim for as much agreement as possible. This is a special time of unity where it’s better to strive for making the group happy, even if you might not share all of their ideas.
Choosing the location is an area that is often difficult to agree upon. If working with the community, see if you can build the outdoor nativity scene in a more public space, which will help not only showcase the project, but make it easy for the public to view it without getting stuck in a tight space that’s hard to move around in.
Another area to gain group agreement is in the budget. If working on a small budget, consider possible additional avenues of fundraising, like bake sales or spaghetti dinners. In addition, many small hardware stores often donate wood and supplies if you ask, which can lower expenses for an outdoor nativity scene dramatically.
Finally, be willing to get the word out about your project! The construction of an outdoor nativity scene is already challenging as it is — reward yourself and your team. Send thank you cards to everyone that’s helped you construct the scene, or get together for a quiet social with hot cocoa and fellowship. There’s plenty of options to explore — get creative!
While it is true that an outdoor nativity scene only lasts for a short time, the warm message of hope, devotion, and endless spirit is one that will continue on long after the scene has been broken down and stored for the next year. Unlock that powerful spirit and build an outdoor nativity scene today!