Here’s the start of a Christmas play my daughters and I wrote which was performed at our church and broadcast into Canada over our local radio station. Following it are stage directions. Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) copyright by The Lockman Foundation http://lockman.org

Scene 1: couch: Grandpa, Boy, Girl

House lights down, spotlight grows on center stage couch as Grandpa reads Luke 2:1 from his Bible with Boy and Girl on either side in PJ’s/robes. Optional pillows, stuffed animals, etc.

Grandpa: “Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria—“

Boy: Quirinius? Who’s Quirinius?

Girl: I thought we were going to hear the true story of Christmas, about Mary and Joseph. (Smiles) And the baby Jesus!

Grandpa looks at them: It’s not just a story, children. It’s a true account: old, but eternally modern, an actual time and date in history with a huge cast of players including angels, powerful world leaders, and the poorest of the poor.

Boy: Wow! That sounds great!

Grandpa: Yes, it changed lives and history forever, dividing time itself into BC and AD from then on.

Girl: Oh, yeah. Mom says BC means “before children” and AD means “after delivery.” It sure changed her life. (Reflects) I guess that’s why she and Dad asked you and Grandma to watch us, Grandpa. Mom says she needs a break! Especially around Christmas.

Boy: What presents do you think they’re buying us? A puppy finally? We gave them more than enough hints this year. Or do you think they only went out for dinner?

Grandpa closes Bible: Well, I’ve read all this to you before, even if it’s been a while. (Stands, puts Bible down, stretches, bends to pat children). Guess I’ll go see if Grandma’s off the phone yet. She’ll probably want to hit the sack when she’s done talking. (He checks watch) It’s getting late. Your dad said not to keep you up too long. (Starts to leave, pauses) I love you, children. Good night.

Girl leaps off couch, takes his hand and brings him back: Please don’t go yet, Grandpa. Dad always reads to us before we go to bed. It helps us sleep.

Boy: You mean, it puts us to sleep. (Turns to Girl) And then Dad has to carry you to your bed, even though you’re usually faking. (Turns to Grandpa) Please read, Grandpa. You don’t have to carry her.

Grandpa sits: Thanks, I think I’ll let your father do that when he comes home. I’ve probably had enough exercise for a while. It was a big trip getting here and I haven’t recovered yet. (Opens Bible) It was a big trip for Mary and Joseph, too. (Finds place with finger, reads Luke 2:3-5) “And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.”

Girl verifying: You mean Mary wasn’t married yet?

Grandpa: No, she wasn’t married. And the Baby she was carrying wasn’t her fiance’s.

Boy: This is a modern story.

Grandpa: With a twist: the Baby’s father was God.

Girl dreamily: And the Baby was Jesus.

Boy grimaces: You always think of babies.

Girl: Yes, (Giggles) I’d trade you for a baby brother, but I’d rather have a baby angel.

Grandpa: Angels aren’t babies in the Bible, but they’re often mighty warriors. Only a few are called by name: the Angel of the Lord, Michael, Gabriel. Many angels look like men, only better, but some are described with faces like eagles, bulls and lions.

Boy grins: Sounds scary! I think I like Bible angels.

Girl: Keep reading, Grandpa. Mom used to read this to us every Christmas. We used to go to church then, too. . . (Looks sad). (Says slowly) I guess it’s just part of growing up: getting too old for Santa, and the Easter bunny, and—

Grandpa: Jesus?

Girl and Boy look at each other

Boy: She just meant we’re not babies anymore. Go ahead and read, Grandpa.

Grandpa adjusts glasses, looks at Bible: Well, maybe we should back up a bit, since you two seem foggy on some details. (Turns to Luke 1:35): I think you need a little background on how Mary got pregnant.

Boy and Girl look surprised

Grandpa notices their reaction and chuckles: Mary herself was pretty surprised, especially when the angel Gabriel broke the news to her. She even asked him how such a thing could be. (Pause to read) “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God’.”

Girl in awe: Wow. Is that how Mom had me?

Boy grimaces

Grandpa: No. And much as I love my son-in-law, he is not God. (Chuckles) I seem to remember some upheaval at both your births. (Reflects) Becoming a parent is wonderful, but it’s not easy. Babies have a way of coming at the most difficult times. (Light fades as Grandpa looks at Bible) I imagine for Joseph, an adoptive parent to God’s Son, things might’ve been even harder than normal. Put yourself in his place, or in Mary’s, as I read. These are real people who went through real things—sometimes very difficult things. Imagine how you might have felt in the same situation. Let’s see, where did I leave off? Ah yes, just about here. . . . (Pause as Grandpa finds his place with finger) Grandpa (memorize or small light) narrates Luke 2:3-6: And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. (Light slowly comes up on center stage left when scene ready) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. . . .”

Scene 2: stage left inn: Innkeeper, Joseph, Mary
Light full up on stage left, inn with signs: No Vacancy, Full, Go Away!!!

Joseph reads signs, frowns, knocks on wall, pauses and knocks again

Harried innkeeper after a scuffle, peeks around corner: What?!

Joseph: You don’t have any more rooms? We heard you had the only openings left in Bethlehem.

Innkeeper steps gingerly from around wall, as if there’s not much room to get out, snaps in monotone which builds in intensity and pitch as voice climbs to near shout: It’s a vicious rumor, sorry. Our rooms were full this morning. Our halls, this afternoon. Now, we can hardly even walk through the lobby and I don’t know where my desk is. I don’t even know where I’m sleeping tonight. And I can only open this door a few inches!

Joseph, taken aback, asks meekly: Don’t you have . . . (brightens) a stable?

Innkeeper: Already taken. Couple’s havin’ a baby in there. Try Egypt. (Innkeeper ducks behind wall. Sound of slamming door [stage left room door]) (Peeks out again) Oh, and it was my pleasure to serve you. Come back again, preferably during our slow time of year—not when there’ s a census! (Ducks back behind wall. Door slams again)

Joseph, stunned a moment, smiles then pats his tools. “See, Mary? I told you it was a good idea to pack my power saw. Don’t worry, I’ll get you some shelter in a jiffy, one way or another. Hmm. Think this inn could use another door?”

Mary, holding stomach: Joseph–

Joseph scared, comes to her side: Yes, Mary?

Mary, doubling over, louder and more agonized: Joseph!

Joseph, shaking: Yes?!

Mary: I’m . . . starving! (Happy) Can we go to (local restaurant)? I could so love (favorite local entrée) . . . and one of those great (favorite local beverage)!

Joseph, wiping brow: Whew!

Lights begin to fade

Joseph (chuckles as they move offstage): Heh, heh. That was a good one, Mary. You really had me going for a minute there . . . .

Grandpa, in darkness, narrates Luke 2:8: “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Boy also in darkness: I remember this part! An angel came and scared the shepherds!

Scene 3: stage right Shepherd 1, Shepherd 2, Lazy Shepherd, Sheep, Angel, Angels
Light slowly comes up to dim on center stage right Shepherd scene as Sheep, Shepherds sleep, snoring

Grandpa continues in darkness, narrating Luke 2:9: “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.”

Light on one scary Angel in background behind sleeping Shepherds and Sheep

Angel: Fear not! (From behind back, arms up but doubled, so elbows in air and hands hidden, impressively whips up dual blades in each hand, stares at Shepherds fiercely)

Shepherds sleep and snore on, Sheep stand and look at Angel.

Angel with arms extended waves blades slightly for attention, confused as Shepherds snore loudly. Angel shakes head and begins to poke them a little with swords

Grandpa in darkness starts Luke 2:10-12 [memorize] as Sheep continue to look at Angel and Shepherds groggily awaken Kill sound effects once Grandpa speaks): “And the angel said to them,

Angel loudly announcing: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”

Grandpa still in dark [memorize] slowly narrates Luke 2:13 as Angels step forward into light: “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying—“

All Angels loudly announce Luke 2:14 as Shepherds sit up and look at them: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” All Angels leave stage right
When angels gone, Shepherds slump over and sleep again. Snoring. Sheep look at each other, Bethlehem sign, and head for Bethlehem (center stage left)

Grandpa in darkness narrates (Kill snoring) Luke 2:15 : “And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us’.”

Shepherds, snore, begin to wake up.

Shepherd 1 yawns: I had the craziest dream!

Shepherd 2: Me, too! (All others nod. Shepherd 2 looks around) Hey, where’d our sheep go?

Shepherd 1: Probably Bethlehem again, back to that stable where they were born. (Shrugs) Everyone gets the urge to visit the home folks this time of year. We’d better split up and look for them. (Gets up, shaking head) Man, that was the strangest dream!

Lazy Shepherd: I can hardly remember mine. It’s night! I don’t want to walk cross country to Bethlehem. Who knows what could happen in the dark! You always go too fast and would probably lose me somewhere horrible. No thanks, I’ll stay here. Maybe the sheep will come back. They have before.

Shepherd 2 (thoughtfully): In my dream, an angel said a Savior had been born.

Shepherd 1 nods: “Christ the Lord.” “In the city of David.” Hey, that’s Bethlehem! We were planning on going to a stable there anyway. Let’s ask around at the one with the inn near it. That innkeeper knows everything that’s going on in town!

Shepherd 2: The angel said we’d find “a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” I think God’s trying to tell us something!

Shepherd 1, excitedly but as if reciting: “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” They take off stage left, leaving Lazy Shepherd.

Lazy Shepherd waves with floppy hand, then lies down and says sleepily: Sounds great. Let me know how it goes. I’ll stay here and wait . . . for . . . the . . . sheep. (Snores as lights fade, stop snoring as Grandpa speaks)

Grandpa in darkness slowly says Luke 2:16-17: “And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.”

Scene 4 (1): couch: Boy, Grandpa, Girl
Light comes up (slowly) to center stage couch

Girl: That must have been amazing. Imagine getting told by angels about God’s Son being born, and then getting to see Him, too. Mary and Joseph were probably surprised to get company that night, and to hear about how they knew where to find them.

Boy: I remember something about some other guys who came to see Him: Kings or something, called madge . . . uh, madjish—

Grandpa: Magi. But we don’t know for sure if they were kings, and they probably didn’t get there right away. The Bible says they lived far in the east, where they probably didn’t see His star ‘til after He was born.

Girl: There were three of them, right? With funny, royal-sounding names?

Grandpa: The Bible doesn’t record their names or how many there were.

Girl smiles at Boy, says slowly (giving time for scene change): But we can imagine. . . . (Light fades) I like how the Bible doesn’t fill in all the blanks, so we can wonder about the details. . . .

[End of Part 1]

---

General stage directions for Wow! So That’s What Really Happened: Modern kids discover the Bible’s timeless truth about Christmas © 2013

A 45-minute musical about Christmas in the NASB version

Cast: (may double roles for small cast: see suggestions following script)
3 Main roles: Grandpa, Girl (also sings “What Is Christmas”), Boy
6 Supporting roles: Magi Harry (sings and dances “We Three Kings, verse 1”), Magi William (also sings and dances “We Three Kings, verse 1”), Magi George (only dances, nonspeaking “We Three Kings, verse 1”), Shepherd 1, Shepherd 2, Lazy Shepherd (sings “If He Was the Messiah”)
13 (more or less) Minor roles: Mary, Joseph, Innkeeper, Angel, Mom, Dad, Angels, Herod, Chief priests and Scribes
4 or more Nonspeaking minor roles with singing: Sheep choir of at least 4 players, usually youngest children (“Away in a Manger, verse 1” “What Child Is This, verses 1, 3”)
4 or more Nonspeaking minor roles: Palace guards, Camel (2-3 players)
Nonacting roles: prompter, stage managers, light, sound crew, musicians (or tape), costumers
Congregational song: “Silent Night,” verses 1, 3

Costumes:
Grandpa in sweater with glasses, big Bible, slippers on couch with optional pillows, etc.
Boy and Girl in PJs
Magi (like Men in Black) in black suits/coats, pants, socks, sunglasses, one with binoculars. Head mics
Shepherds in plaid, cowboy hats, bandanas, etc. crook/s, sleeping bags
Angels (prefer males in camouflage, opt. prop weapons) If doubling, in light camo fabric-fastened robes
Mary in gorgeous but modest white modern dress, slippers or quiet, low shoes for easy changes
Joseph in white, short-sleeved T-shirt, paint- stained work pants or jeans, belt loops with power tools, hammers, loaded work apron, etc. (Nothing sharp/dangerous) Quiet work boots or sneakers
Innkeeper with rumpled hair, wrinkled black pants, and white dress shirt partially unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, tie clipped to pocket, collar flaring, in socks, like a harried night clerk awakened from sleeping
Mom & Dad in dressy outerwear: coats, boots, etc.
Sheep with fabric-fastened sheep head pieces, same color pants, shirt, socks
Herod in flashy suit with hat, scarf, big rings, necklaces, watchband, tie pin, shiny shoes, etc. Lots of bling
Chief priests: choir robes, matching socks, carrying big books
Scribes: Big glasses, dark slacks, white buttoned oxfords with pens/pencils in pocket, iPods/iPads, tennis shoes
Guards: khaki, boots with/without prop weapons/badges/decorations, soldier hats/helmets
Camel (2/3 players underneath)
(Optional) Animals for stable in masks, plain matching clothes

Stage sets (3 for 16 scenes):
1: downstage center stage: a couch lengthwise with Grandpa, Girl and Boy in PJ’s/robes/slippers
2: center right stage desert background with Bethlehem sign pointing stage left (all desert/shepherd/travel/magi). For Shepherds & Sheep choir, later with Angels, even later with Magi
3 center stage left (all buildings inn, palace stable). Simple white/cardboard wall (with fabric-fastened signs for inn: No Vacancy, Full, Go Away!!!) stable (take off signs) and palace (take off signs, flip drape/bunting hangings of colored fabric); For Innkeeper, Mary and Joseph, later Shepherds and Sheep choir, Animals; Herod, Guards, Chief priests and Scribes, Magi.

Optional arrangement for smaller cast (of at least 5 but up to any number):

Grandpa (Doubling not recommended)
Girl (can double as a Magi, Shepherd, Angel or Mary)
Boy (can double as a Magi, Shepherd, Angel or Joseph)

(Mix and match roles if needed other combinations possible):
Mary & Joseph: Mom & Dad
Dad or Mom: Innkeeper, Herod, Angel, Shepherd, palace Chief priest/Scribe, Animal, part of Camel
Angels: Mary & Joseph, Innkeeper, Magi, Herod, Camel, Mom & Dad
Shepherds: Innkeeper, Magi, Herod, palace Chief priests/Scribes, Camel, Mary & Joseph, Mom & Dad
Magi: Sheep choir, Shepherds