Christmas

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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. 

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

9 pages

7 main characters.

Annie is the saddest-looking angel in Heaven! With a broken wing, a crooked halo, untidy hair, and always a pile of mending to do, she is just too busy to even get to choir rehearsal on time. The angels all know something very, very important is about to happen. When the Heavenly Father chooses Annie to stand guard over his newborn son, all the other angels work hard to get her ready, and most of all, make sure she will be on time. Performance time: 20 minutes.

20 pages

2 m, 3 w, 1 boy, 1 girl

Ted and Jane are hosting Ted’s mother and sister for Christmas. As they share memories of their childhood home (acted out live) it becomes clear that their perspectives about the past are very different. An on-going “falling off the ladder” gag adds to the laughs. Finally, Mom presents them each with a DVD featuring their old home movies. As they watch it together, the realization that perhaps they each had things better than they remember brings a lump to the throat and an appreciation for the value of family. Performing groups can be as creative as desired ...

15 pages

Large, flexible cast.

The season of giving often misplaces the reason for giving, but that's not so in this delightful play. As the children of Bethlehem plan a baby shower for Jesus before he has to leave for Egypt, they learn the story of His birth. Yes, the angels are just a bit impatient and some people don't like one of the wise men's gifts, but everyone is in the party spirit. The play also serves as a mission project as the gifts (diapers, food, clothes, etc.) the children bring on stage can be dedicated to babies born today in less fortunate circumstances. Children from 3 ...

40 pages

3 m, 2 w, 2 teen girls

Mark Kingston has been pastoring the same church for seven years. This particular year has been a stressful one. His kids want him to find a new job, his wife is trying to lead every program and ministry herself, and his congregation has an opinion about everything! One day, Mark wishes his life were “normal,” that he didn’t have the stress of being a pastor. When he wakes up, his wish has come true. Will Mark’s new life be easier having a typical job, or will he discover that his old life was exactly the way it should be? About an hour.

0 pages

7 m, 2 w, 8 flex, extras.

Although only a few pages long, this script provides the basis for a memorable celebration as members of your congregation experience the real Christmas. They dress in Biblical attire to partake of a Biblical meal and see the story of the manger unfold. As "guests" eating at the crowded inn (menu suggestions included), they see Mary and Joseph turned away. Later they see and hear the shepherds and wise men as they learn of the glorious birth that occurred. Two beautiful, original songs, one for Mary and one for Joseph, as well as other traditional songs highl...

45 pages

5 m, 5 w, 1 flexible, 2 boys, 1 girl, extras, choir

Imagine the Christmas story written, directed and performed by teenagers! Follow the antics of CJ, the author of this wild and crazy nativity scene, along with Amos and Jordy, two idiotic stagehands, as they try to retell the story of the nativity from a "teenager's point of view." After watching a rehearsal and weathering an emotional explosion from a stuffy lady of the congregation, the Pastor reminds CJ and the rest of the teens that, although it is okay to have fun in the Christmas program, there is still a holiness about the entire event that should neve...

74 pages

9 m, 6 w, plus ensemble

We powerfully follow an old, blind rabbi, Eleazar, as he returns with his grandson to Nazareth to find the answer to a question that has plagued him for most of his adult life: "Who was the son of his old friend, Joseph?" In seeking the answer, Eleazar takes a journey back in time to remember the strange events that came with a simple carpenter to the village on the edge of nowhere...of the romance that bloomed between Joseph and the daughter of Joachim...of the disgrace that stained the betrothal of Joseph and Mary...of the events that set them all on the ro...

38 pages

4 m, 7 w, 2 boys, 2 girls.

If you think your Christmas is hectic, look in on the Taylors at the parsonage! The four Taylor children are unhappy about being in more pageants, stranded travelers need help, a troubled high school couple wants advice about getting married, and on top of it all, a beautiful baby is left at the parsonage door. As the mayhem mounts, Rev. and Mrs. Taylor try to find the young mother who so desperately needs God's help. A delightful and inspiring story with a family you won't want to leave when the curtain closes. Performance time: 60 minutes.

15 pages

7 m, 7 w, 6 flexible parts.

The Spirit of Giving appears in court to prove he is the true spirit of Christmas. Using scenes from three modern homes, he exposes the ever-popular spirits of Selfishness, Greed, and Pride who try to control Christmas. Finally, Giving shows us his true spirit through the Wright family, then to Isaiah the Prophet, and finally to the first Christmas in Bethlehem. (Also non-speaking parts for nativity scene and optional choir.) Performance time: Approx. 30 minutes.

54 pages

4 m, 3 w, 6-7 flex, 2 kids, doubling possible

Did the Nativity costumes just come alive? Pastor Hadley doesn’t know what to think when he is washing the Nativity costumes and the first sheep pops out of the dryer. Granted, he hasn’t been doing well after the recent loss of his fiancée, taking a leave from his ministry and turning away from God. Last night’s church fire just proves that when it rains it pours. Maybe that wasn’t a sheep he saw…but then out of the dryer comes Amir the Sheep Shearer and Jesse the Angel. Turns out the dryer is a time tumbler, and time and prophecies once fulfilled have been a...

44 pages

Main roles for 7 m, 3 w, 5 boys, 4 girls. Additional roles for 2 m, 2 women. Extras, 1 toddler, and an optional children’s choir.

What if Jesus had been born in your town? Rather than tell about the birth of Jesus from the traditional viewpoints of Joseph and Mary, this musical gives us a refreshingly different look from ordinary people who were there. A small group of adults and children befriend the holy family for more than a year, from helping them find the stable for the birth to a celebration for 15-month old baby Jesus, which turns into a bittersweet evening when the Wise Men warn them to flee. The story begins as Bethlehem prepares for visitors in “Company’s Coming” and we see t...

59 pages

14 m, 13 w, much doubling possible

It's the 1880s and Dot Dallrimple and her friend May Fielding are Christmas shopping. A miserly store owner, Mr. Tackleton, has eyes for May and has her fiance Edward kidnapped and sent off to sea, never to return to England. Ten years pass with no word from Edward. Poor May has remained single, even though Tackleton has continued to court her. Meanwhile, Dot has married John Peerybingle and his delivery business has prospered. Two days before Christmas he brings home a ragged, mute stranger. In one awkward moment, John see his wife throw her arms around the ...

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.