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Nativity Plays (and stories)

The Angel's Important Job
God has a Very Important mission for the angels. Where will Jesus be born???
​
Designed for small children to be dressed as angels, plus 3 adult speaking parts. 
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Picture
While Shepherds Watched ("a commotion!")
A high-country Kiwi setting for that night when angels sang, and shepherds did not get any sleep!
An easy to put on drama, no rehearsal required. For Narrators, Fred and Ted, and an Angel.

Narrator: In a sky filled with angels singing glory to God, they could hear one voice clear as day.
Angel: Don’t be afraid!
Fred: We aren’t afraid!
Ted: Speak for yourself!
Angel: I have great news for you!
Fred: For us?
Ted: Why us?
 
(Photo fro
m Zonelia Hut Farm Stay, Southland NZ)

Picture

The Best Job Ever
For a community Christmas service, gathering the children in to form the Nativity scene. Mostly lead by 1 story-teller, the Angel Gabriel.

Gabriel: (very grand) BEHOLD! I am the Angel Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, the most high, Lord of Hosts, the eternal one. I have come to bring you good news of great joy which has come into the world!!
(steps forward, more tentative now)  Are you impressed yet? Cause, it does sound impressive doesn’t it? I practiced that, you know. Important to make a big entrance, I find. Did you like it? Really, I’m just God’s messenger, kind of like a postie, I suppose, delivering messages, but it is a fun job.
Can I tell you about my best job ever, can I?


Who Cares?!
The classic nativity play creates the Nativity scene at the front of the church, with kids able to dress up and get involved ... with something a little thought-provoking and a teaching element, including some Bible verses and music.
This has speaking parts for Mary & Joseph, 3 wise men, some shepherds, so will need some adults helping out with the children. 
The 'who cares?' theme links it together and sets up for a statement about the love and presence of God.

"Hi Mary! Hi Joseph!"
A short and simple nativity for Preschool Music Group.
You need a narrator, and Mary (very pregnant) and Joseph making an entrance. 
Set up a 'stable'. A nice relaxed introduction to the nativity story.

"The Angels' Big Entrance" 
is a brand new nativity play - which means that it has all your favourite Christmas characters, includes various carols, and ends with the "ohhh" moment as the nativity scene is formed at the front. It has 5 speaking parts, plus you can involve as many children or whatever ages as show up on the day without needing rehearing. This play is from the perspective of the angels: there's Gabriel keen for his big moment, and 2 assistant angels running around trying to find out where the Messiah will be born. 


Download the script of the play HERE
Download the powerpoint to go with it HERE
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'Star of Wonder' - Shadrack's Story

​Didn't you know that the 3 Wise Men had a servant boy!? Of course they did! 
Here's his story ... a narrative for one story teller (though could be adapted into a Play)
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The Innkeeper's Night
adapted from the book ‘Jesus’ Christmas Party’
arranged for Narrator and Innkeeper
"There was nothing the innkeeper liked more than a good nights’ sleep"
For this traditional Nativity Play you do need some props: a bed up some steps, a door, and a nativity setting, with hay + manger + a chair for Mary.

Grandma’s Story
A Christmas Drama

A dramatic telling of the Christmas night, from Grandma's perspective. Only one reader required. 

Well, I have some news. We have a new baby in the family! Ah, and you didn’t even know that any of my lot were with child did you? Who is it? Oh, my brother James’ boy – God rest his soul. He moved to Nazareth, remember? His boy, Joseph. Yes, well they only arrived yesterday, he and his young lady
Well, I wasn’t exactly going to bend over backwards to find a nice room for them, not after the rumours I’d been hearing. Now, you know I’d be the LAST person to gossip, but ...   
​

Christmas Boxes
A Christmas drama
The focus of this play is the Christmas tree (not a nativity). Speaking parts can involve children with them. A strong message about getting through the clutter to the real meaning of Christmas.
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Tot Time Nativity 
 A nativity drama for a Preschool Music Group
Set up: stage with brown sheet, back-drop, toy animals, manger. Mary & Joseph in costume – incl pillow for very pregnant.
Narrator Once upon a time, actually 2000 years ago, there was a young couple called Joseph and Mary.
(Enter Joseph and Mary)  Look, here they come now.  Hi Mary, Hi Joseph!
Joseph    Hi everybody! But please, can you tell me – where are we? We’ve been walking for ages and we’ve got lost.
Narrator  Well, this is Tot Time. Where are you going?


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Nativity
by JOY COWLEY

Look now! It is happening again!
Love like a high spring tide
is swelling to fullness
and overflowing the banks of our small concerns.

And here again is the star,
that white flame of truth blazing the way for us
through a desert of tired ways.
 
Once more comes the music,
angel song that lifts our hearts
and tunes our ears to the harmony of the universe,
making us wonder how we ever could have forgotten.
 
And now the magi within us gathers up gifts of gold and myrrh,
while that other part of ourselves, the impulsive,reckless shepherd,
runs helter skelter with arms outstretched to embrace the wonder of it all.
 
We have no words to contain our praise.
We ache with awe, we tremble with miracle,
as once again, in the small rough stable of our lives,
Christ is born.

Growing faith at home this Christmas

A letter to families, with suggestions for how to deepen faith through the Christmas season.

www.conversations.net.nz
Written by Silvia Purdie 

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