On Stage Nativity

Drew Hoopingarner from Southport Presbyterian Church along with their pastor, Rob Hoc,k in Indianapolis, IN brings us this peaceful Christmas Eve design.

After their elaborate 4-week Advent stage design they decided to do something on the simpler side. They purchased 22′ black drapes to cover the front wall of their Worship Center to create a night sky feel this was the same concept as what they did in Purple Spread.

They took 10 Christmas trees that they have used in previous years and re-lit them. Then they took leftover foam and projected a silhouette of a manger scene and cut it out with just Mary, Joseph and the baby. They painted it light blue except for baby Jesus, they left him white so he would stand out. They spread the trees out throughout the front of their Worship Center. Then they added in white and red poinsettias to add color. They covered all of the bottoms of the trees with leftover garland. They took their LED light bars and lit the wall in blue to give a peaceful night feel.

They created a grand entrance with the drapes from Purple Spread to set the mood for the night.

This project did not cost them any money because they already had all the materials.

The simplicity of this design demonstrates that effective Christmas stage design doesn’t require extensive budgets or complex construction. By repurposing existing Christmas trees and foam remnants, Drew created a serene atmosphere that focused attention on the nativity message. The black drape backdrop creates infinite depth, making the space feel larger while providing a neutral canvas for the silhouetted figures.

The color choice of light blue for the manger scene was inspired—blue suggests night sky while remaining visible against black drapes. Leaving Jesus white creates natural visual hierarchy, drawing the eye to the Christ child without needing additional lighting or effects. This thoughtful use of color psychology enhances the worship experience without technical complexity.

The repurposed materials approach is a valuable lesson for churches with limited resources. By inventorying existing decorations and set pieces from previous years, Drew achieved a cohesive design at zero cost. This method also demonstrates environmental stewardship, reducing waste while creating meaningful worship spaces.

Related Nativity Designs

• Glowing Nativity – Large gold and black nativity ornaments with Christmas light borders
• Staged Stable – Simple manger set built with recycled lumber and pallets attached to drum cage
• Nativity Silhouette – Large layered silhouette with Bethlehem skyline and black nativity figures on steel cages
• Purple Spread – The original draped wall design that inspired this Christmas Eve set
• Christmas Home – Cozy living room Christmas setup with cardboard fireplace and bookshelves

Pro Tips for On-Stage Nativity Design

Silhouette Creation: When projecting silhouettes onto foam, use a bright projector in a dark room for clearest outlines. Trace with pencil first, then cut with a sharp utility knife or jigsaw. For complex shapes, drill a small pilot hole and use a scroll saw for precision curves.

Tree Arrangement: Vary tree heights and spacing for natural appearance. Place taller trees toward the back and sides to create depth. Use trees of different species if available—evergreens like Douglas fir, spruce, and pine have distinct silhouettes that add visual interest.

Color Blocking: The light blue/white color scheme here works because it reads as “night” while remaining visible. When using dark backdrops, choose medium-bright colors (light blue, soft gold, pale green) rather than deep colors (navy, burgundy, forest green) which will disappear into black.

Zero-Budget Design: Before purchasing anything, inventory your existing Christmas decorations, set pieces from other productions, and even office furniture. Create a Pinterest board or physical mood board with your available materials. Often, limitations spark the most creative solutions.