Prayer hands story craft

Birth of Jesus Prayer Hands Craft

A printable prayer-hands folding story craft based on Birth of Jesus. Children colour and cut the praying hands and inner story strip, then open the hands to follow the events. Story focus: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. Jesus is born in a stable. Angels share the good news.

Suggested ages
6–10 years
Activity time
20–35 min
Difficulty
Easy–moderate

English

Age, time and difficulty are planning guides. Check the preparation notes for adult help.

$3.15 USD

One-time purchase

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Digital download · No physical item shipped

What’s included

  • Praying-hands design with an inner folding story strip
  • Designed so children open the praying hands to read the full nativity story.
  • A4 Size
  • PDF digital download
  • Scenes stated in the listing: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem; There is no room in the inn; Jesus is born in a stable; Angels share the good news

Your download files

  • TheBirthOfJesus.pdf: 3 pages

File inventory and page counts checked against the originals. Page counts include any instruction pages. Please check the preparation notes before printing for a group.

Getting ready

Age & adult help

The hand outlines, inner story strip and folds require more coordination than a flat colouring sheet.

Help with cutting around fingers, folding the inner strip and attaching pieces. Younger children can colour before an adult assembles the craft.

What you’ll need

Printer, paper, colouring pencils or crayons, scissors. Glue or tape may be useful for attaching the story strip.

Time & preparation

One prayer-hands story, including colouring and folding. Teaching time is additional.
Age is an editorial estimate for the motor and reading demands of this format. Difficulty, completion time and suggested tools are planning estimates, not build-tested.

Check the file before you print for a group, and allow for any extra help the kids might need.

Printing tips

The story behind the craft

Bible passage: Luke 2:1–20

Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born and laid in a manger. Angels announce the birth to shepherds, who visit the baby and share the news.

Main takeaway: The Christmas story announces good news through the birth of Jesus.

As you open the hands

Open the hands to reveal the story, reading and discussing it before adding a prayer response.

Follow the journey to Bethlehem, the manger, the angels and the shepherds’ visit. Notice who hears and shares the news.

An adult can guide a short retelling for younger learners. Older learners can suggest a prayer linked to the account while respecting what another person chooses to keep private.

Questions to explore

  • Where was Jesus laid?
  • Who heard the angels’ message?
  • How did the shepherds respond after seeing Jesus?

Common questions

What files are included in this download?

The download is a 3-page PDF: TheBirthOfJesus.pdf. This is the English edition. You print the files yourself; physical supplies are not included.

What is inside the praying hands?

The hands form the outside covers of a folding story strip. Colour and cut the hands and story pictures, fold the strip in the indicated direction, then glue the left hand to the left end and the right hand to the right end. Open the hands to reveal the story. The pictured scenes include: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem; There is no room in the inn; Jesus is born in a stable; Angels share the good news.

Which pages should I print, and at what size?

The original PDF pages are A4 landscape. TheBirthOfJesus.pdf: print pages 1, 3 for each learner or group. Page 2 is the assembly guide, which can be shared. Print single-sided. On US Letter paper, select Letter and Fit or shrink to the printable area; the originals are not separate Letter-sized files.

What supplies and preparation does this need?

Paper, colouring pencils, scissors and glue. Help cut around the fingers, make the strip folds and attach the correct hand to each end.

What help might children need with this activity?

Suggested ages: 6–10 years. Help with cutting around fingers, folding the inner strip and attaching pieces. Younger children can colour before an adult assembles the craft. Adjust this guide for the child’s reading and making skills.

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