Jesus in the Manger

This adorable Jesus in the Manger art lesson, students will learn about the birth of Jesus in the manger and create the crib where he lay.

Grade Level

2nd, 3rd, 4th grades – The examples in this lesson are made by 2nd graders.

Objective

In this Jesus in the Manger lesson, students will create artwork based on Jesus in the Manger using oil pastels.

Time

2 – 60 min lessons

Materials

• White Acrylic Paint – Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint in Assorted Colors (2 Ounce), 20503 White
• Beige Acrylic Paint – Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint in Assorted Colors (2 oz), 4471E, Beige
• Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 5
• Kleenex to protect work
• Oil pastels (Blue, Yellow, White, Brown, Orange) Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 50 Color Set (PHN-50)
• Black Construction Paper – SunWorks Heavyweight Construction Paper, 9 x 12 Inches, Black, 100 Sheets
• Pencils

Inspiration/Artist

I was inspired to make this project after I saw this idea: Click Here

Instruction with Questions

Day 1

Practice drawing a manger. This is traditionally where horses and cattle eat. While this is not “in perspective,” show the students that we are looking at Jesus lying inside the manger. I actually have tried this without a template and with a template. – I HIGHLY recommend using a template. Make a very rough one – there is one that you can see on the bottom of the image below.

Have students spend some time making a practice manger. Discuss the shape and the boards across the bottom.

When they are ready, have them trace the template and draw their manger box. Then, using a brown oil pastel, create thickness around the perimeter and boards along the sides. The open areas are important for where the hay will show through

Next have them make the rounded top of their manger with the brown.

Day 2

Hay

Using the yellow and orange oil pastels make “x” shapes and random lines all over the top of the manger and through the slots where the boards are. Then add more straw along the bottom.

Blanket

Next make the white blanket. I show them how to do all of this on the white board first.

Glow

Use yellow oil pastel to make a glow around the area where Jesus will lay. blur it out with your finger. The head of Jesus will be made with beige paint at the end.

Stars

In the sky, using white oil pastel, show them how to make a Nativity Star making a large cross with a small X in the middle. Then make star dots all over the sky. This is a very loud process that sounds like rain.

Sky

Using a blue oil pastel, on it’s side, rub the blue all over the sky. It looks good if it is rubbed in or even if left raw, showing the tooth of the paper.

Jesus Head

As students finish their drawing, ask them to come to you to dip their finger tip in beige paint and place it where Jesus’ head should go.

Here are some finished Jesus in the Manger pieces!