Christmas

38 pages

9 m, 6 w, 5 children

The winter of 1860 is a brutal one in Prophyte Harbor, a small village on the coast of Maine. Those who haven’t already left are dangerously low on food and fuel, including oil for the lighthouse lamps which could ensure the safe arrival of a critical supply ship. Meanwhile, the few survivors from a small nearby island that has been devastated by influenza, are seeking refuge on the mainland. During a fearsome night storm at sea, they land, led there by a light from a figure swinging a small lantern. Like the Christmas story of the shepherds and Wise Men bein...

52 pages

3 m, 4 w, 3 flexible

Just sit right back and you’ll see a tale of a fateful trip, with seven familiar passengers, but with a few new twists! Join Captain Clipper; his first mate Gulligan; the billionaire Houston Powell and his wife; the movie star Scarlett Rooney; the dean; and the sweet farm girl Kari Ann Winters in this parody full of laughs and adventure. The castaways have become stranded on a deserted island with no cars, no lights, not even Facebook! What may be worse than the lack of comforts is the sad fact that the marooned passengers are unable to celebrate Christmas pr...

40 pages

4 m, 5 to 7 w, 1 girl, 1 boy non speaking.

It's Christmas Eve, (1960s) and Jake Johnson can muster only an uninspired, "Yeah, whatever," due to the stress of keeping his small, private hospital financially sound. In fact, he's just issued a new policy refusing to help anyone without health insurance, forcing patients to travel to the county hospital miles away. And there's no relief at home either as an elaborate family dinner has been planned which includes the Johnsons' estranged son Reese, and their daughter and her fiancé, whom Jake believes will be just another smart-alecky seminarian. Ill-will s...

20 pages

6 m, 8 w, 1 flexible part. (Also 3 boys, one line each.)

Gina and Steven Hart are ready to take their newborn son home from the hospital Christmas Eve when a man they think is an orderly takes the infant from their arms. Soon they, and the doctors, nurses, minister, and others realize the baby has been kidnapped. As a search swings into force, the distraught, exhausted couple envision the Holy Spirit. In two dramatic inset scenes, the Holy Spirit shows that when parents ask, "Why my child?" as Mary must have questioned the future of baby Jesus, God always has answers. A beautiful ending reaffirms the blessings of t...

20 pages

4 m, 4 w, 4 teen g, 1 teen b, 2 b, 2 g, extras.

An old man, puzzled about Christianity and the purpose of Christmas, sets out to learn about it by looking in on four different families, all of whom call themselves Christians. At the end he discovers to look toward Christ as an example, not other Christians. About 40 minutes. 

37 pages

1 m, 3 teen girls, 3 teen boys.

Megan, too young to have a job, secretly applies for a position as a waitress in order to buy her mom the perfect Christmas gift, a ticket to visit Grandma. Of course she has to make a few innocent "white lies" on the application to get the job. A co-worker, Denon, who has also lied on his job application, doesn't think his "white lies" and deception will hurt anyone either so they both cover up their lies with more lies, resulting in whirled truth. Finally, the lies culminate into a small disaster in the restaurant, leaving Megan and Denon expecting to get f...

12 pages

2 speaking parts.

A minister, alone in the sanctuary, wants something different for Christmas Eve service, something with a real emotional kick, perhaps a famous person. Then the Voice from above speaks. For every glitzy idea the minister has, the Voice counters it. Finally by recounting Jesus' birth, the Voice seems to get through to the minister. The simple nativity story is best. The minister pulls out a tape recorder proclaiming, "But I do have a celebrity!" The tape, however, has only one voice - his own. The minister realizes the old, old story of Love's greatest gift gi...

20 pages

5 m, 5 w, 1 boy, 1 girl, extra teens as youth group.

Elizabeth, pregnant with her third child, blames God for the recent car accident which killed her husband, Mark, a young minister. Distraught and grief-stricken, Elizabeth even contemplates giving up the baby for adoption. Her parents, strong Christians, reach out, but nothing helps until their pastor brings a special young woman to visit. The last person to see Mark alive, she tells about the healing comfort he gave her and her husband in the hospital on the death of their infant. The faith of those around her gives Elizabeth the courage to go on. "Unto us a...

21 pages

6 m (with doubling), 3 w, 1 adult flexible, 1 boy, 2 girls.

See the Nativity through the eyes of a family in the second century, "new" Christian believers in awe of the recent miraculous events. Jacob, a middle-aged shepherd, visits the home of Gaspar and Vashem and their children. The children demand Jacob tell the story of his grandfather, one of the shepherds who was visited by the angels announcing the birth of Baby Jesus. Vashem then tells the next story, that of the innkeeper. Finally Gaspar relates the story of his grandfather Melchoir, one of the wise men, and how he asked for a small strip of Jesus' blanket. ...

21 pages

Flexible casting

These short, easy-to-stage pieces make it simple to have your church's youth become an active part of a Christmas worship service or outreach. Included are two reader's theatre works based on classic literature, made fresh for today's audiences: "The Selfish Giant" and "Where Love Is, God Is" require little rehearsal time. Three readings, "The Child of Bethlehem," "Mary's Good Night Song" and "Wise Men and Shepherds," are short works full of big meaning. To round out the collection: "The Gift of Song" highlights the history of six familiar carols and "Central...

17 pages

5 m, 7 w, extras.

Here's the story of a woman of Bethlehem so caught up in the activities of the day that she missed the very first Christmas. It is also the story of some of the people of our own time who almost miss Christmas for the same reason. A closing nativity scene blends both contemporary and Biblical characters to give a meaningful message. Ten carols add to the beauty of this program. Performance time: 50 minutes. 

38 pages

Flexible cast

This resource will utilize your whole Sunday School. Younger primary children will enjoy performing and singing in "The Tracks of Christmas" (30 minutes) as they find out about the only perfect tracks that were ever made. In "A Christmas Miracle" (20 minutes) the poor woodsman's family was left wondering who the little stranger was that came to visit on Christmas Eve. A fun skit of pantomime and narration for middle primary students. To round out this package, older students will enjoy "A Christmas Tale at Antelope Springs." (45 minutes) Come along on this we...

28 pages

Flexible Cast and staging

As "The Reluctant Shepherd," ten-year-old Toby invents numerous excuses to keep from participating in the live nativity at his church. Later, standing on the cold hillside under the sparkling stars, Toby and the other shepherds bring the true meaning of Christmas to life for passing motorists.

A well used crèche helps bring calm to the chaos as two exuberant children decorate for Christmas without adult supervision. The nativity figures, though scratched and broken, can be used, "One ...

46 pages

6 boys, 5 girls, and 3 flexible parts, choir

Young people will respond to and telling the Christmas story from a different viewpoint make this musical one you'll remember. The story is about a grandfather, a Rabbi, and a young boy and his friends who come face-to-face with the promised Messiah. You will be moved as Rabbi Yarvich cries out to hear God's voice in "Jehovah." You will smile and laugh as the spirit of greed overtakes young Levi and his friends as they sing "Jingle, Jangle." But your heart will melt as Levi sings "Could It Be True," a song longing to believe the prophets of old when they fore...

11 pages

2 m, 2 w, 1 flexible and chorus

Using historical and contemporary voices, "Supplicants: An Advent Drama" broaches thought-provoking Advent themes that are often overlooked during the holiday season. The play's characters, including a Hebrew man circa 10 BCE, a present-day businessman, a physician, a soldier, and a homeless woman, anticipate deliverance from distress even as they despair of present circumstances. The play features non-denominational Christian spiritual issues and is appropriate for family audiences. About 20 minutes.

58 pages

25 or more flexible parts, one soloist, optional choir

Rachel is sent to Bethlehem to find a "good news" story for the newspaper but can't find anything worthy until shepherds and angels tell her of a wonderous birth. As first the shepherds then wise men go to a simple stable to kneel before the Babe, Rachel realizes she has found her story - a story that will surpass anything she had hoped for. Here is God's gift for all people. It is a story that will outlast time, a "Story for the Ages." Seven beautiful songs including Rachel's song, "Bethlehem Town," the shepherds' and angels' songs, "Gloria" and "Be Not Afra...

40 pages

4 m, 6 w

Ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph along the nativity trail? Stargazer Holy Land Tours promises that you will experience what it was like as you journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, just like they did over 2,000 years ago. Not only will you step where they stepped, but you will do it in style. The tour promises luxury yurts, the finest Jewish cuisine, and an expert tour guide. But sometimes the amenities in the brochure are just too good to be true. Join the retired pastor and his wife, a newlywed couple, a travel critic, a photographer, a...

14 pages

2-3 puppet masters, 2-3 voices, 2 narrators, 1 stagehand

How can an angel do an important job when he can’t fly? This heartwarming and delightful story, told by narrators and shown with puppets, takes us back to the journey Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem. Complete with a donkey seller, innkeepers, an innkeeper’s wife, shepherds, and a wise guy, the angel must deliver important messages, often after crashing from the sky! Ultimately the angel and the visitors come to worship the baby, the king, and someday, the Savior of the world. With gentle humor, “The Stable Story” shows us that Christmas is filled with mirac...

28 pages

6 boys, 2 girls, 8 flexible parts, and extras

Even the sheep sing in this heartwarming original musical drama, although it is serious about presenting the true Christmas story with a salvation message. In answer to her granddaughter's questions, a grandmother reads Luke, Chapter 2, and as she does the whole story unfolds on stage. Smaller churches can "double up" on roles, while larger groups can include everyone by increasing the singers, angels, etc. Beautiful music, including a recitation and song, "Don't Wake the Baby" for your littlest performers. 

Performance time: About 35 minutes.