Costco has a suitable one-about 20 inches tall-get it now befroe it is gone!

I will look into that Tabitha . . . I don't have a costco card, but maybe somebody I know does.

We don't have one in the sanctuary, but we do put up a nativity scene in the narthex. Each year we do it slightly differently. Last year was my favourite. One evening we had a local first nations woman come and work with the children and youth on making felted dolls. They look beautiful and the children had a wonderful time making them.

I don't think I have ever attended a UCC church that didn't have a nativity scene somewhere in the sanctuary - usually several. 

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My former small church actually built an almost lifesized (peek of the roof about seven feet high) at an Advent festival. Children and teens playing the roles for the pagent could actually enter and gather round the manger - other times we used figures painted on panel board.
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My present large church also has a handmade one. It is at the front of the sanctuary near where the minister gathers the children for their conversation. During Advent they add figures (animals and people) to the scene. Another lovely set is on the other side of the room.
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My suggestion - don't buy one at Costco or anywhere else. Have a group or individual in the church make one.

Ok the Costco set is $99 and has 14 pieces including a stable backgrouond.  The manger-with Jesus in it is maybe 6 inches long and 3 inches tall.

I say have more than one set.

Sometimes hand made ones are not always well done or sturdy and sometimes they are lovely!

The kids at our church really love the nativity set in the sanctuary, especially because they can participate in moving the figurines closer as the weeks pass, and eventually put baby Jesus in the manger. It's a nice change during the winter season :)

Actually Tabitha, I probably spoke too soon.  There is a place for both the well-made and beautiful nativity sets and the hand-made ones.  There is a place for large impressive ones and tiny ones that sit on a corner shelf.   And bigger than life-sized ones outdoors.     We actually have a ceramic one in my home that gets a lot of attention - the camels are a foot tall, the standing adult figures probably about ten inches.   I also have one in a water-globe.   But for a church considering one - I was thinking of one made by a family or youth or children`s group  - and replaced by a new group coming along every few years.  

Tab, that is some manager that you have at Cosco. hahahahahaha

I agree that you should get someone from the congregation to make one, as then the nativity becomes unique to that church and eventually becomes a remembrance of the person who made it.

My church has a lovely nativity made out of wood and stained glass. The people and animals are faceless shapes in beautiful, colourful stained glass.

I have to admit I love the more abstract-looking nativity set. It gets away from arguments as to whether Joseph should be depicted as an elderly man (as Catholic tradition), or whether Joseph should be a fit and buff young man in Orthodox Jewish dress.

It also gets away from arguments as to what the skin and hair colours should be, or whether Mary should be in purple (very 1950's), or whether she should be in blue (very modern.)

So I love the rainbow coloured stained glass figures, where it's left to your individual imagination (and your own preference) as to what the people actually looked like.

I was leading a children's summer program and they were paining whiteware. They were all concentrating on all kinds of figures. I had a Mary in front  of me and started painting  her dress  red. Absolute silence and a dozen kids staring at me in awe. What? I asked. They replied in one voice. Mary's dress is blue.Amazing what we instill in kids minds.

Assuming you have a suitably talented and equipped person. Many of the congregations, both UCCan and UU, that I have attended have been blessed with artists and woodworkers and such like but it's not a given. The next best alternative would for someone (or the church as a group) to commission it from a local artist.

Mendalla

A few years ago, I was working with the older sunday school kids & we made origami nativity scenes as our Xmas activity.  I had to practice a bit to figure out the patterns beforehand!  They were quite interesting tho, and the kids really enjoyed it - making sure they were there every week to finish off their figures.  They fashioned stables from shoeboxes.  They were quite proud :-) when finished. 

A visiting child once told me that her church had a knitted Nativity set right inside the front door during Advent.  No Jesus until the 24th though.  Her face just lit up when she said the children were allowed to choose a figure to take with them into the service if they wanted.  She drove her mom crazy nagging about it being time to go to church because she had a favourite Shepherd she wanted to hold!.

I purchased this one Tabitha.  It is quite nice.  We will use it at the church until we find exactly what we want.  I think I will continue to pursue the idea of someone making one also.  But we will use this one for now.

Beloved-glad it worked for you!

and I'm all for churches-and homes-to have more than one nativity set