Christmas

24 pages

3 m, 3 w, 1 flexible, extras.

The host of a television talk show investigates the recent birth of a King. She interviews several people, all of whom give her insight into the nativity of the new King of the Jews, and at the same time, display prejudices - theirs and ours - against those who are different. Her guests include a gossip, who looks down on the pregnant Mary; unsympathetic officials; a greedy business owner; a selfish, materialistic guest; and an Egyptian who feels threatened by asylum-seekers. At the end, the TV guests return to the stage and argue that the host made them look...

40 pages

3 m, 5 w, 2 flexible, 1 young child

The lives and struggles of several individuals come together in this light-hearted story when popular radio psychologist, Dr. Terri, decides to hide out at the Pear Tree Inn. Facing burnout and questioning the value of her career, she longs to be a normal person again. At the inn she meets Beverly, a retired school teacher who feels unappreciated and useless and who spends her days reading the newspaper and listening to her favorite talk show host — Dr. Terri. Beverly's daughter Lisa and husband David, owners of the inn, have problems of their own since compe...

17 pages

10-15 children, plus extras, doubling possible

The all angel news team of ANN, the Angelic News Network, are reporting the evening news. Tonight’s top story is the census. Gabrielle is working to keep everyone on schedule, Seraphima is maybe a little too relaxed for being on the air, Sandy Storms doesn’t have much to report on the weather, and Angel-on-the- Scene is interviewing an innkeeper about the increased business. Then Joseph and Mary arrive, and a bigger story begins to unfold before everyone’s eyes. It is not the story the angels expected to report, nor did it occur where they expected to report ...

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...

17 pages

1 man, 7 boys, 5 women, 1 girl, 6 flexible.

Here is a lighthearted play about a group of toys in a Christmas window display. One night after hours they come across some rather unusual visitors. As Raggedy Ann and Andy, Barbie, Cat in the Hat, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Winnie the Pooh and Queen Amadala watch the visitors in quiet wonder. When GI Joe spies shepherds and wise men approaching he shouts, "They are bringing in more troops!" Along with the toys, a little girl, with the help of the wise old shop owner, Mr. Wiggins, discovers that Christmas is about giving, not just receiving. A captivating ...

24 pages

4 m, 6 w, 5 flexible, 2 youngsters, small children’s choir, and extra adults

The Thompsons like to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus by displaying a nativity scene on their front lawn, much to the dismay of their homeowners’ association president, Mrs. Matthews. Citing "rule 763" she wants the display taken down – immediately! Mrs. Matthews gets her wish when she discovers that the Thompsons’ nativity figures have been stolen by local troublemakers. As Mrs. Thompson's oldest son Joey sets out to find the figures, he meets Maria, a troubled young girl who has wandered onto his yard looking for shelter. With the help of three w...

23 pages

2 storytellers, any number of children as animals and townspeople

Various animals in the stable aren't happy when two strangers intrude upon their quiet night. The sparrows, cows, and sheep, along with mice and doves are upset and wish the humans would find another place to stay. They don't want to share their grain or warm hay. And after walking for miles, even the poor donkey is too tired to help Joseph and Mary. But then God fulfills his most glorious promise: Baby Jesus is born. Everything changes as each group of animals gives a special gift to comfort the Baby and his parents. At last, as all finally sleep, the tired ...

26 pages

Widely flexible,from children to young adults.

Benny is a young boy who thinks he is too little to do anything right. His grandmother decides to tell him a story of an impulsive young angel named Benjamin. He seems to have missed the journey to Bethlehem to welcome King Jesus. When Benjamin sets out to find Bethlehem on his own, he encounters a series of discouraged people. He proceeds to help them find their place in God’s plan, all the while fearing he himself has missed his own place. As he helps Mary and Joseph find a place for their baby to be born, he discovers God’s plan for his life and most impor...

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...

18 pages

6 boys, 7 girls, 10 flexible parts.

This is a part of the nativity story that isn't in the Bible, but could have happened. With Mary and Joseph, the shepherds in the field, the women at the well, the three kings, and the little drummer boy, we prepare to embark on that special journey to the manger...sharing their worries, their joys, and their faith along the way. The play ends with that glorious moment when humankind first lays eyes on their Savior, followed by a celebration of music. Ideal for younger actors, this play appeals to audiences of all ages. Performance time: 30 minutes. 

11 pages

Flexible cast.

All the children in your church can participate in this play which explains the nativity in a simple, beautiful way. Two youngsters, Sam and Lori, have brought their young friend, Terry, to their church's Christmas pageant rehearsal. When they open a gift box which contains items associated with the nativity - an angel, a doll, a toy lamb, a shepherd's staff, and others - Sam and Lori explain to Terry that these are the best gifts to receive. Scripture readings and carols by the other children enhance the explanations of the nativity and add beauty to the per...

19 pages

10 speaking parts, plus a large flexible cast.

Want a wonderful children's Christmas musical, but don't want to invest heavy rehearsal time during the already overloaded Christmas season? Here's your answer! This musical features four main speaking roles which provide the humorous framework for a showcase of familiar Christmas carols to be sung by the children of your church. Come along as Billy tries to find the Christmas spirit and Max works hard at putting together his version of a really big show. Enjoy the "Old Testament Rap," the comical parade of animals heading for Noah's Ark, and Billy's revelati...

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.

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...

70 pages

4 m, 1 w, 3 male teens, 4 female teens, 1 girl, 2 flexible, extras

David and Ashley Johnson and their six children are excited about the upcoming holidays singing gleefully “I Can’t Wait for Christmas.” But like most families today, they are over-extended and over-committed! That’s why on Christmas Eve they still need to hit the mall to shop for gifts, stop at a local tree lot to buy the perfect tree, and once home, dig out the old decorations for said tree -- and the rest of the house! The family is so consumed with all the last-minute secular preparations they ignore the most important reasons for the holiday, even when th...