By Mark Young
A simple telling of the Christmas story, using pieces from a nativity scene.
Narrator
First Child
Second Child
Third Child
Lead Singer
Singers as needed
(The story begins with the CHILDREN, one boy and two girls, seated around a rocking chair occupied by the NARRATOR, who is either the grandfather or the grandmother. The NARRATOR is holding a brightly decorated box which is open at the top. The contents of the box are wrapped presents for the CHILDREN. The contents of the presents are the pieces of a Nativity Scene. The stable is not wrapped in the box and should be taken out by the NARRATOR before the gifts are given to the children.)
(The setting should resemble a living room of the home of the NARRATOR. It should contain a decorated Christmas tree with a Bible and a few presents under it, a rocking chair, a small table and perhaps an oval woven rug for the children to sit on.)
NARRATOR
It is a tradition in our family that one special gift may be opened on the night before Christmas. And in this box I have gifts for each of you. (The CHILDREN react with quiet excitement of receiving the gifts.) But, first let me take out this odd little shed. (NARRATOR takes out the shed and sets it on a small table.) What does this little building look like to you?
FIRST CHILD
It looks like a stable.
SECOND CHILD
What is it for?
THIRD CHILD
It is a place for cows and sheep to eat and sleep.
NARRATOR
This is a very special stable and I will tell you why, but we must open the first gift. (NARRATOR gives the first gift to the FIRST CHILD to open. The gift should contain the figures of Mary and Joseph.)
SECOND CHILD
What is it?
FIRST CHILD
It is a figure of a woman and a man. They look very happy. (Places them in the stable.)
THIRD CHILD
Who are they?
NARRATOR
Let me tell you a little about these two people. Anyone have a Bible handy? (The CHILDREN pass the Bible which is under the tree to the NARRATOR who reads Luke 1:21-32.)
(After the songs "Mary Did You Know" and "A Strange Way to Save the World")
SECOND CHILD
Is it my turn to open a present.....please?
NARRATOR
I was just about to ask if you would like to open one. (NARRATOR hands the SECOND CHILD a gift containing figures of cows, sheep and perhaps a donkey.)
THIRD CHILD
What is it?
SECOND CHILD
Figures of cows, sheep and a donkey. This must be their home. (Places them around the stable.)
FIRST CHILD
Does the stable have a manger? What does the Bible say about these animals and their manger? Was this their home?
NARRATOR
Let me see what it says. (NARRATOR reads from Luke 2: 1-7.)
(After the song, "Who is This in Our House?" and "It Came upon a Midnight Clear," NARRATOR speaks to CHILD THREE)
NARRATOR
Now it is your turn to open a present. (NARRATOR gives the THIRD CHILD a present containing figures of Shepherds.)
THIRD CHILD
There are figures of Shepherds. (Places them around the stable.)
SECOND CHILD
Do the sheep belong to the shepherds?
NARRATOR
Let's continue reading and see what the scriptures say about shepherds. (NARRATOR reads from Luke 2:8-20.)
(After the songs "The First Noel" and "Angels We Have Heard on High")
NARRATOR
Well, I have more gifts to open. What shall we do with them?
FIRST CHILD
It is better to give than receive.
SECOND CHILD
And all of us have received.
THIRD CHILD
Let's find someone who hasn't gotten anything yet.
NARRATOR
Good idea. Go and find someone out there. (Indicates in the direction of the congregation.) And give this gift to someone who looks very wise. (NARRATOR hands the present containing the figures of the three wise men to the FIRST CHILD. The CHILDREN pick out someone from the congregation and give them the gift. The person who is selected must be brought to the small table and open their gift. After the gift, is open the THIRD CHILD says.)
THIRD CHILD
What is it?
THE WISE LOOKING PERSON
Wise men.
SECOND CHILD
(To WISE LOOKING PERSON) Place them on the nativity table.
(The children may help the WISE LOOKING PERSON arrange the wise men on the table.)
(After Jungle Jam, "We Three Kings" and Bethlehem's Treasure Medley)
NARRATOR
I still have one more gift to open.
FIRST CHILD
We'll take care of it.
(The CHILDREN go out into the congregation, find a young girl and bring her to the front.)
NARRATOR
Here is the last gift for you to open. (NARRATOR hands the girl a gift containing a cross on a manger. After she opens it, SECOND CHILD says.)
SECOND CHILD
What is it?
FIRST CHILD
It is the best gift of all. It is a manger with a cross laying in it. (FIRST CHILD takes the girl with the gift to the table and places it in the center of the stable.)
THIRD CHILD
Does this gift belong to all of us?
NARRATOR
His name is Jesus which means "God Saves," because he will save his people from their sins. They will call him Emmanuel which is Hebrew for "God is with us." And, yes, this gift belongs to all of us. (NARRATOR reads Luke 2:21-28.)
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Copyright Mark Young, all rights reserved. This script may be used without royalty payment, provided no charge is made for entry to the performance. In return the author would like to be told of any performance. He may be contacted at young@cofo.edu