After many years, even the most beloved crèche can start to seem really . . . wooden. Same pieces, same poses: cow on the left, sheep on the right, manger in the middle with Joseph and Mary huddled close, shepherds and wise ones advancing, the star overhead, maybe an angel on the roof. I’ve been in church my whole life, so I’ve earned the right to say that we get wooden too, with the same Christmas traditions, decorations, music, and celebrations. And sometimes, even this story can feel a bit stiff when we hear it the same way all our lives.
In my book, By the Light of Dreams, I invite you to play and pray with the image of the crèche throughout the season of Advent. As we open ourselves to creativity, we’ll explore dreamwork as an ancient spiritual practice that connects us with God, ourselves, and one another.
Take a moment, an hour, or all the time you need to re-create the nativity scene as you imagine it. It’s fine to start with the one you have or to choose a medium that you enjoy and make a new one. It could be a pencil sketch or a painting. You could make collages of paper, fabric, or found objects. You could use modeling clay or whatever speaks to you.
Now look at your nativity scene and consider who or what else would like to be here. Who or what would you like to have here? Consult your imagination. Add whatever shows up wanting to be there.
As you remake the nativity scene, contemplate this new version. Who or what did you add to your nativity scene? Why? How does that change the way you feel about the scene? About the Incarnation?
If you need inspiration, check back here in November to browse a gallery of nativity scenes readers have created. If you'd like to contribute a photo, email us at info@upperroom.org.
This practice was adapted from By the Light of Dreams: Advent Practices for Listening to God in the Night by Laura Huff Hileman (Upper Room Books, 2026).
Loading more...