There is an old Mexican custom where, during Advent, people dressed as Mary and Joseph and travelled around their villages knocking at peoples’ doors to see who would give them hospitality.

This custom has been adapted around the world through the idea of a ‘Travelling Crib’, which involves the model figures of a nativity scene being passed from house to house each night during Advent, before being brought to Church on Christmas Eve. This journey symbolises Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. On their designated night, host families set up the crib in their homes and use the opportunity to stop what they were doing and think as a family about the true meaning of Christmas. It is a unique way to help families prepare for Christmas, that schools and churches have been facilitating for years.

Due to social distancing restrictions this year, for many a ‘Travelling Crib’ in the traditional sense won’t be possible…so we have created a Covid-proof experience called The Christmas Crib.

• Your school will have sent you a Crib cutout. Your child/children should colour this in to create their own unique Christmas Crib.

• On the day designated by your school, you should read the story of Christmas using the presentation above. Take time to read it slowly and prayerfully.

• Following the guidance in the presentation, your child/children should construct their crib when asked to do so.

• If your school has requested this, please take a photograph of the crib you and your family have created so it can be displayed in school.

• Feel free to return to this page closer to Christmas, or on Christmas Day itself, to relive the story of the birth of Christ Jesus.

• Display your Christmas Crib at home alongside your Christmas decorations!

• Click the full-screen icon on the presentation to make it full-screen.

• Make sure you have sound enabled to listen to reflective Christmas hymns during the presentation!