Use a simple mask nativity when you teach Once within a Lowly Stable in singing time. This provides some variation as opposed to creating a traditional nativity scene! Then add in handbells and this simple song will quickly become one of your primary children’s favorites around Christmas time!
To teach Once within a Lowly Stable in singing time, you really need basic nativity items. But to shake things up a bit, I thought a mask nativity variation sounded fun! But any way you put together the nativity items found in the song, works wonderfully!
Nativity Masks
Nativity masks are included with PREMIUM Singing Time To-Go subscriptions (find in December 2022)! Check out more details here about subscribing to Singing Time To-Go:
With the exception of the stable, the sheep and the ox:
These 3 images are available in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
1st Verse Nativity
The items you need in the first verse are:
- Stable (download in my Resource Library)
- Sheep (download in my Resource Library)
- Ox (download in my Resource Library)
- Mary (purchase from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop)
- Baby Jesus (purchase from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop)
2nd Verse Nativity
The items you need for the second verse are:
- Baby Jesus (purchase from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop)
- Savior (aka Joseph – purchase from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop)
- 3 angels (purchase from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop)
Print on card stock and laminate (optional but HIGHLY recommended!). Then cut out the eye hole on the masks that require it.
TIP: Use a box cutting knife for easy cutting!
Singing Time Idea
Assign children to stand at the front of the primary room and hold up or put on an image as it is sung in the song. Repeat with new children holding new nativity masks until everyone has had a turn.
Post the words as needed like I do HERE.
Directive Listening Questions
Also ask these directive listening questions in between turns:
- Who is the mother in this song and who is the baby? [Mary and the Christ]
- Where did Mary lay her baby? [In a manger filled with hay]
- What animals were in the stable with Mary and the baby Jesus? [sheep and oxen]
- Who sent us this loving baby? [God]
- What did Jesus come to earth to show all people? [How to help and how to love]
- Who sang for joy that Christmas night? [Angels]
Handbell Chart
Optionally, play the harmony line using bells. This simple handbell chart for Once within a Lowly Stable only uses 4 bells in the basic 8-note set! Each bell note gets 2 counts.
This handbell chart is also available to download in my Resource Library. If you need help with bells, check out my post on using handbells in primary HERE.
Bear Testimony
Bear testimony that Heavenly Father sent this loving baby to show all people how to help and love each other.
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Once within a Lowly Stable.
