Wooden Manger

Idea taken from the December 2000 Friend Magazine

After Jesus Christ was born, Mary wrapped Him lovingly in swaddling clothes and placed Him in a manger to sleep. Usually, a manger holds food for animals, but your manger could hold your Baby Jesus Ornament (see above). To make this Christmas manger, you will need: fourteen wooden craft sticks, 4 1/2" (11.5 cm) long; two long, thin rubber bands; shredded yellow paper or real straw; and glue. You will make each side of the manger, then put the sides together with the rubber bands.
 

1. For the first side of the manger, lay two wooden sticks 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) apart (see illustration).
 

2. Spread glue on the top half of each stick, then lay five other wooden sticks crosswise on the glue, with their sides touching.
 

3. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to form the other side of the manger. Let the glue dry.
 

4. When the glue is completely dry, pick up both sides of the manger and hold them, smooth sides together.
 

5. Line up the legs of the manger so they are next to each other but not on top of each other (see illustration B).
 

6. Loop a rubber band around each pair of legs and slide it up as far as it will go.

7. Open the manger and stand it up. Fill it with the shredded paper or real straw.

To make Baby Jesus:
 

To make this ornament for your Christmas tree or wall, you will need: one pink eraser, about 2" long; one strip of lightweight, light-colored fabric, 8" x 4"; one medium-size safety pin; a black pen or marker; and ribbon or string, 8" long.
 

1. Lay the fabric strip lengthwise and place the eraser 2" from the left edge of the fabric (see illustration A below).
 

2. Fold the top edge of fabric down so that it hangs over the eraser about 3/8". Fold the bottom edge of fabric up over the eraser, too.
 

3. Fold the left edge of fabric down against the eraser, and then pull the fabric across the eraser (see illustration A). Hold this fabric in place with your finger while beginning the next step.
 

4. Wrap the right strip of fabric once around the eraser, twisting a little as you go and leaving one pink section of eraser showing. The pink section will be Baby Jesus’ face.
 

5. Use a safety pin to secure the end of the fabric strip under Baby Jesus’ chin.
 

6. With the black pen, draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth for Baby Jesus.

7. Thread the string or ribbon through the safety pin and tie the ends together.