Friends, today I am really excited (and a little nervous) to share with you a free printable for Christmas that is very special to me. I’m joining a load of other bloggers for a printable hop hosting by Kristen of Ella Claire Blog, and links to their printables are at the bottom of this post, so please take a look at the beautiful things they created too!
I started out by painting a reindeer…. and while it was nice, I just didn’t love it. I couldn’t put my finger on the *why* exactly, but I decided to abandon the acrylic paint medium and pick up my first love among art mediums– a graphite pencil. I pondered on what this season of Christmas means to me and what I wanted to share, as a gift, with you. It wasn’t long before I decided the most meaningful and thoughtful thing I could give you all, would be an expression of my love for my Savior, through a rendition of the Nativity– a tender moment between Mary and her newborn Son. I know religious art isn’t a popular choice for these printable hops and that is what makes me a little nervous to share this. I don’t want to offend anyone or exclude anyone either. I simply want to share something that brings me joy and that is a huge part of my life. It also is the very heart of the reason we have Christmas, but is often forgotten in the busy-ness.
Drawing people is challenging but has always captivated me. I’m not the best pencil artist out there by any means, but I love when I can capture a moment of realness– of truth. Besides a pencil, I used a blending stick and a kneadable eraser and within a couple hours I created something that I was happy with. I wanted the faces and skin to look soft and more detailed, and the clothing surrounding them to be a little more ‘sketchy’ and less important. When I look at this, I remember that sweet newborn smell, that feeling of wonder and amazement that that little human grew inside you and the miracle that there they are– perfect, breathing, living– completely independent from you. But so completely dependent on your love and nourishment. I can imagine heaven must feel very much like the feeling of holding a newborn babe.
I created a little wreath around the drawing with small olive stems, keeping in mind the significance olive trees have in the scriptures, and their prevalence in Israel.
My vignette is simple, and my original drawing is rather small, but I created a high-res printable version, larger in size than the original, so you can print a quality copy with most any size you want. I think this would be so pretty printed larger and displayed above a piano or buffet, or among a gallery wall or bookcase… It is black and white, so it is very versatile, and it is a gentle reminder of the beauty in Christmas.
I hope you enjoy this coming season of generosity, peace, service, gratitude, and love. I want you to know that while I was drawing this Nativity, I felt so much love– not just for family and friends– but for each of you who support this endeavor of mine. I also felt love for my Father in Heaven, and His Son who was born to a virgin mother, who set the perfect example on how to live, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for me.
If you want to download and print this original drawing, you understand that this is a free gift for personal use only. It is not to be reproduced, copied, or altered in any way for profit or gain.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HI-RES CHRISTMAS NATIVITY PRINTABLE
Here are the two Christmas printables from last year that are more of a ‘wintry’ theme. You are welcome to download and use them as well! Just click on the image to be directed to their post.
As promised here are the other printables in the hop… aren’t they gorgeous?
Banner Christmas Tags by Ella Claire | Gift Tags by Zevy Joy | Good Tidings of Joy by Lolly Jane | Watercolor Christmas Baking by Craftberry Bush | A Thrill of Hope by Maison de Pax
Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags and Ornaments by Finding Home Farms | Peace on Earth by My Someday in May | Red Barn Gift Tags & Print by Refresh Restyle | Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe Watercolor by Finding Silver Pennies | Merry Christmas Ornament by In My Own Style
Good Tidings Christmas Chalkboard by Live Laugh Rowe | Plaid Christmas Gift Tags by Four Generations One Roof | Vintage Inspired Christmas Favor by Anderson and Grant | Hot Cocoa Bar Sign Printable by Blesser House | Watercolor Paper Flowers by Chronicles of Home
Let it Snow Banner by Happy Happy Nester | Reindeer Games by Clean and Scentsible | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by A Burst of Beautiful | 12 Plaid Reindeer Joy Printables by The Happy Housie | Santa Baby by Kelly Elko
Christmas Tree Farm Poster by Making Home Base | We’ve Got that Holiday Feeling by My Fabuless Life | It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by May Me and Mom | Heaven and Nature Sing by Nest of Posies | Nativity by Shades of Blue Interiors
Make Your Own Christmas Village by Town and Country Living | Madeline’s Christmas by So Much Better with Age | Christmas Gift Tags by TIDBITS | Countdown to Christmas by Unskinny Boppy | Holly Botanical Study Watercolor by Nina Hendrick Design
Pie Labels by My Sweet Savannah | Advent by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | Buffalo Check Christmas Banner by Just Destiny
This is gorgeous, and you are gorgeous, and don’t you ever be hesitant to share you faith! I am definitely following you going forward. Thank you for sharing with us!!
This is incredible. Thank you for sharing.
XOXO
So beautiful! I love this!
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! This is so beautiful and meaningful.
Absolutely LOVE this!! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful drawing with all of us. I can’t wait to display it in our home.
Very beautiful; thank you so much!
This is so beautiful! Thank you!
I would like to ask your permission to print this out for the 12 students in my third grade class at a Christian school in Kenya. I thought they might like to color it. What a beautiful piece you have made. It’s what Christmas is all about. Thank you, and Christmas blessings to you!
That is fine with me!
Thank you, Rachel!
This is exquisite, and I rarely comment on blogs. You so captured a softnesss and touching moment that of course has great meaning to those who believe in Christ. But I am sure many people will be moved by it–it is serene and personal. So glad I can download it, thank you!
Rachel, this took my breath away when I saw the little thumbnail on another blog. The detail is amazing, you can feel the joy and emotion. I’ll be printing it, most likely leaving it after Christmas as well too. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Rachel, you are so incredibly talented. This drawing is so beautiful and full of love and the true meaning of Christmas. xx
I LOVE this! I am SOSOSO proud of you and thankful that you willingly shared this beautiful drawing of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I agree that we should never hesitate to share our faith. You are incredibly gifted. I just cannot thank you enough. It will be the main focus on our mantle this year and every year in the future. Awesome!
I just found your blog and had to say how much I love this drawing. It makes me surprisingly emotional. I can’t wait to print it and display it in my home this Christmas to help me and my family focus on Christ as the center of our celebrations. Thank you for sharing your faith and your talent!
Oh my… I love this. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing! I am excited to hang this in my home.
You are an incredible artist, Rachel. I always think that your paintings are beautiful, but this drawing is my favorite.
This is simply STUNNING! Thank you for sharing a beautiful work of art. This is what the Christmas season is about for many and you have captured it in such a serene way.
This is really beautiful and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your drawing with all of us. I am so happy to be able to display it in our home and is something I will leave out all year! Thanks again for sharing your amazing talent ❤️
This is a beautiful drawing. Thank you so much for making it available.
What a beautiful gift you have shared. I found your artwork through Pinterest. Would you consider selling this for print-at-home Christmas cards?
Thank you again for sharing what is in your heart. Have a very Blessed Christmas!
I’m sorry Beth, I created this as a gift for my readers for personal use only. I will not be selling them nor do I allow them to be sold or distributed in any way. Thank you for understanding.
Perfect. Exactly what our home needs this season. Thank you for sharing!
This touched my heart more than you know! Thank you for sharing your talent and your love of our Savior and the greatest gift of love ever given, that is how we can truly show the spirit of Christmas, “LOVE!” Merry Christmas
Kathysue
Thank you very much !
A nice cover pic very beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you!