The Nativity
Setting up the scene
Construction set · PLA · magnets
The stable, the Christ Child, Mary and Joseph, the Magi, a shepherd with his sheep, a camel, an angel and the star — coloured PLA pieces held by magnets, with no glue and no tools.
The story
Gospel of Luke 2:4–7
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem… to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
The census gathers people to the city of David. Mary and Joseph reach Bethlehem, find no room at the inn, and spend the night where the animals are kept.
Gospel of Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Saviour’s first cradle is a feeding trough. In the set it is a separate piece filled with hay, and the Child is laid into it as the last magnet of the scene.
Gospel of Luke 2:8–11
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The news comes first not to kings but to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. The angel gives them a sign: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Gospel of Matthew 2:9–11
And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was… and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The Magi from the east follow the star and bring three gifts. The star fixes above the stable door and is the last piece of the build.
Gospel of Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
So sings the heavenly host over the field. The whole scene is gathered around one point — the manger — and every figure faces it.
About the set
Every figure is printed in PLA of its own colour: ochre floor, dark-wood stable, stone walls, woolly sheep, terracotta robes and a green palm. Neodymium magnets are hidden in the bases of the pieces — the scene goes together without glue and comes apart in one motion.