Christmas

48 pages

3 m, 6 w, 13 flexible, 14 or more kids

Starlight Inn, a small, quaint hotel with a lot of charm, but not a lot of guests, is struggling to make ends meet. In fact, business has been so bad that on this snowy Christmas Eve, Emily, the owner, has decided to finally break the bad news to the staff: The inn will be sold to a local condo developer and torn down. As they lament the impending doom of their beloved hotel, a major snowstorm hits, forcing travelers to seek shelter. Suddenly, the hotel has several guests: a newlywed couple; a Hollywood diva and her entourage; a traveling church choir; a rock...

11 pages

9 speaking parts (8 adults, 1 child).

An assorted group of people are more than a little tense when the elevator they're on gets stuck just as the mall is closing on Christmas Eve. But their forced confinement makes them think more seriously about the "mindless celebration" that they've been rushing through, often with some resentment. The more they discuss the real meaning of the season, the more their hearts change. As they are rescued, they realize that although they may never see each other again, they will remember this Christmas forever. Super simple to stage, yet very effective. Performanc...

68 pages

8 m, 7 w, 2 flexible

Doc Nash had a successful medical career, but five years ago, after losing his wife, he decided to return to his country home in Baynesville, VA. There, he established a medical clinic where residents of his childhood hometown could receive free medical care.  Even with only one Johnny-on-the-spot nurse and a bumbling receptionist, this clinic has become a vital part of this rural community. Since its inception, the clinic has been supported with funds from the local government and private donations. However, with recent cuts in funding and a dip in the econo...

70 pages

from 2m, 2 w, to 5 m, 7 w.

These seven skits look at Christmas from different angles. Some titles include "Grandma, the Lights Are Out," about faith in our Lord and His provisions for us; "The Perfect Gift," and why no one will accept it; "The Christmas Question" which asks what will you do with Jesus; and the humorous skit, "The Package." While each skit offers a fresh perspective, common to all is the miracle of Jesus' birth and sacrifice. A resource you'll use for many years! Performance time: 10 to 30 minutes each.

29 pages

11 characters

Serenity and Charity, two angels under Gabriel’s supervision, have been dispatched to Earth to help mankind remember what Christmas should be about. To maximize their out-reach they tackle the place where there are the most humans: a busy store in the middle of the holiday shopping season! Their scheme is to leave a gift in the “Lost and Found” department, hoping that someone opens it to discover its mysterious contents. Unfortunately, the stressed humans have so many sales to find and buying to do that no one claims the package. As a last resort, th...

32 pages

3-12, gender flexible.

There's wonderful news in the air - the Son of God is born! Follow the adventure of a shepherd boy and his lamb as they cross the countryside telling anyone they can about the birth of the Messiah! But it turns out that not quite everyone shares their excitement about the good news. "Pass-It-On Christmas" is equal parts chaotic comedy and touching storytelling that is sure to become a holiday favorite for all ages. This utterly delightful comedy is perfect for almost any Christmas occasion: small cast, large cast, small stage, no budget, children's audience, ...

40 pages

10 m, 6 w, 11 flexible, 3 children, extras, doubling possible

Sam Nazareth is a bumbling, down-on-his-luck private eye who will be out on the streets if he doesn’t get a case soon. Enter Delilah, a mysterious young woman whose boss wants to know why a certain bright star has suddenly appeared in the sky and where it leads. In this film noir-style tale with plenty of humor Sam (including his inner voice) and friends agree to help Delilah solve the mystery. Following that bright star, they take the audience on a journey across the desert to Bethlehem where we meet two silly shepherds, a no-nonsense census taker, and an in...

14 pages

10 agents and a group of younger children, no gender requirements

The children are given a "Mission Impossible"-type assignment to take a trip across America to find things that remind them of the original Christmas story. The young “agents” travel to Texas, Iowa, Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Florida to find things in each state that remind them of the nativity. In between stops to the various states, younger children may sing or recite poems. The play concludes with a reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and a prayer that we won’t be at war for any Christmases in the future. Optional corresponding scripture readings th...

19 pages

4 m, 2 w, 1-2 flexible

A reader’s theatre play. Howard Sinclair is ready to direct the church’s outdoor manger pageant again, but since the previous one five years ago was a complete disaster, his wife Gladys wants everything to run smoothly. But of course that doesn’t happen! First the rented animals are delivered a week early, but instead of a camel, a goat is sent and it promptly starts eating the neighbor’s bushes. To appease their prickly neighbor, Howard agrees to let him play the part of a shepherd, even though another church member had been promised the role. Then there’s t...

15 pages

4 to 5 readers.

Enhance your Advent services with meaningful weekly worship skits. Each skit, centered around the traditional holiday Advent wreath, addresses one particular aspect of the Christmas story. Four candles represent a theme on the wreath and are discussed in turn each week: The Candle of Prophecy, The Candle of Bethlehem, The Candle of the Angels, and The Candle of the Shepherds. The fifth Candle of Christ, located in the center of the wreath, is lit on either Christmas eve or Christmas day. Speaking parts are minimal, allowing for the presentation of each skit t...

32 pages

Approx. 5 m, 4 w, 7 flexible, 2 boys (small speaking), children’s choir.

Little Peggy Angel, known around Heaven for always wearing a ball cap, is very shy. But when she learns that an upcoming audition for a heavenly messenger is open to all angels, she decides to try out. This is her chance to do something important and she’s both scared and thrilled about the opportunity. That is until another angel named Diva informs Peggy that she shouldn’t waste her time auditioning for something this significant. Peggy’s confidence is crushed and it’s up to her friends to encourage her to follow her heart and attempt to become involved in t...

15 pages

8 speakers.

Relive the nativity when each of 7 speakers tells about Jesus' birth from his or her point of view. Thoughts and emotions of that holy night come from Elizabeth, the Innkeeper, Joseph, Herod, a Wise man, a Shepherd, and Mary. Each insightful monologue is followed by a special prayer given by the leader or minister. This drama can be performed almost anywhere with little rehearsal.  Performance time: 15 minutes.

6 pages

Six readers.

Nativity scene may be composed of statues or actors. In this moving and unusual reading you can show your congregation just how much they value Christmas by taking it away. Three Non-Believers explain away Christmas, eliminating first the shepherds and wise men from the manger scene and finally Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child. When they've eliminated everyone, all that's left is a void, an awful emptiness. The Believers, however, show how that night at the stable did happen. By accepting the miracle, they give us back that night! Easy to produce, yet unforg...

17 pages

5 m, 4 w, 2 flex, doubling possible.

Strangers meet at an inn in Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. They all had things they wished to give Him but one by one, they gave their gifts to needy people. Finally, as a group, they decide to go to the stable and seek out the baby with the one thing they have left to give - their love. A symbolic story which shows that we are all strangers, in a way, until we meet through the person of Jesus Christ. An optional nativitiy scene creates a beautiful ending. Performance time: 25 minutes.

20 pages

3 m, 3 w.

What do you say when you see an angel? How do you say thank you when the child you've longed for is finally born? How do you let go of your daughter to her new husband and expected child? What are your first words to the tiny, newborn Son of God? Through Christ's birth, God entered and shared our humanity. In this monologue collection, Elizabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Mary's mother, Joseph and a shepherd tell their stories. They are stories of worship and stories of wonder at a God who would want to be such an intimate part of our lives. Each monologue tells its o...