Angela@BestChildrensNativity.com

Covid Related FAQs

Planning a Social Distancing Nativity? Need to make it Covid 19 Safe?

Don’t worry: Whatever your question is, I am confident that the answer will be exactly what you want to hear!

I don’t charge licence fees, or impose restrictions. I am an enabler and as such I am here to help, so by all means check for your specific question in the list below, or email me at angela@bestchildrensnativity.com, and be ready to get straight on with your nativity play unhindered!

Enabling you to Plan a Covid Safe, Social Distanced Nativity Play

The Children’s Nativity Story : This script sticks to a fun, relaxed biblical retelling of the birth of Jesus without any specific message other than a simple celebration of the story. The “Full Christmas Story” poem is offered as an additional optional ending to the play and goes on to link the nativity story with the ongoing life and death of Jesus, acknowledging that Christmas is all about God expressing His love for us through Jesus and His choice to come to earth as a man, and to recognise that Jesus is God’s gift to us.

Grandpa’s Nativity Story : Don’t get carried away with the excitement of Christmas and forget the real reason for the celebration, Jesus being the very first and most precious gift of all.
The Donkey’s Christmas Play : Throughout the play the donkey grumbles about being unnoticed and feeling unloved playing such a humble background role, and then realises at the end of the day that he had carried God’s unborn son and been present at His birth, but simply didn’t recognise the privilege at the time…….“He thought about the baby’s birth, and then he understood: The Saviour of the world thinks that humility is good!”
The Alphabet Nativity Play : The Alphabet Nativity Play tells the nativity story in rhyme and rhythm as an alphabet poem. The perfect central positioning of the following keywords in the alphabet stresses the message that ‘Jesus, King, Lord, and Messiah’ are literally at the very centre of the Nativity Story, and that the point of Jesus’s birth gave us a ‘New beginning’.
The DIY Nativity play : This play specifically highlights the fact that God tells us to share the good news, and not to just leave it to the children to tell it via a nativity once a year. It quotes Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20 at the end.
The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town : Remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas: the birth of Jesus is not just a story, but the real reason for our celebrations at Christmas-time. The free bonus poem “Jesus is not just for Christmas” highlights the message that, whilst Christmas is a lovely time of celebration, we must remember that Jesus is the reason for it, but also that Jesus’s birth was a gift to us from God, not just for Christmas-time but forever.
The Story of Christmas : This is simply a retelling of the traditional bible based nativity story, keeping firmly to the details and words as related in the bible, with the exception of following the tradition of the kings visiting the stable instead of a house as per Matthew’s gospel.
The Simplest Nativity Play Ever :

There are 2 alternative choices of ending included in the script

Option A …….Biblical message: The real reason that Jesus came at Christmas-time is stated in John Chapter 3 verse 16: “For God so loved the world that He sent His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”
Option B …….General message: At Christmas-time we need to think beyond the gifts and consider what part we can play in making the world a better place and bringing peace and joy to the earth.

The Simplest Nativity Play Ever is also unique in the fact that it keeps so firmly to the biblical accuracy of the nativity story that it even acknowledges the fact that the kings visited Jesus in a house, not a stable (as per Matthew’s gospel reading) but then, as part of the script, agrees to compromise and stick with tradition and use the stable scene anyway, thereby recognising the actual truth of the gospel retelling of the kings’ visit.

The Alphabet Nativity Play: includes the option to use a ‘pantomime style’ Instructor who talks to the audience and holds signs up for them to make a response (Hold up sign saying”AH” for audience, followed by the Instructor’s response “You’re really not much good at this! Let’s try another “Ah”…He really is the cutest baby that you’ve seen by far” Hold up sign again “AH”) etc. Also, the ‘Action Superstar’ does actions to the 26 alphabetical specific keywords throughout the play and at the end there is an option for the whole audience to stand and do the actions, at speed, to the recap poem of the story: a real fun moment for everyone.
The DIY Nativity: is purpose written for a church nativity service whereby the children/teenager narrators get the adults up from the audience to play specific parts, scripted throughout with mockery and sarcasm. This is a great lighthearted interactive retelling of the nativity story for an environment with a good sense of humour and a fun, family atmosphere. Appropriate hymns/carols are suggested for everyone to sing instead of having songs performed but no music is actually provided.
The Simplest Nativity Play Ever: This script can literally be performed without a rehearsal by people who are given a card with their prompt and their lines on it, usually consisting of two rhyming lines. It makes a lovely community event if you are brave enough to attempt it! A scripted instructor tells the actors what to do all in rhyme and rhythm, while the narrator introduces each character with an obvious prompt such as “the innkeeper listened while Joseph said…..” making it simply a case of listening to the narrator and instructor and following their direction.
The Story of Christmas:A scripted on-stage director carries the script with him/her and constantly refers to it to make notes throughout the performance (in reality they are reading their lines!) The director therefore instructs all the cast in rhyme and rhythm so they do not all need to be rehearsed, although any rehearsals that you choose to do will make it more smooth running, of course. Meanwhile, some of the characters are written such that people in the audience can say the lines of, for example, the shepherds, simply by standing where they are and reading their lines from the printable script prompt card that is placed on their seat, without any prior sight of the script. Several of these characters are included (see script preview) but you can choose whether to substitute them for an actual actor on stage (appropriate alternatives are offered for both scenarios.)

All of my scripts are deliberately balanced to include lots of small speaking parts, but some are more flexible than others in terms of choosing to omit certain lines if you have anyone shy in your cast who doesn’t want lines.

The script previews show the casting list and number of lines allocated to each part, so you will get a feel for how big each part is before you buy.

These are the considerations for each of the scripts available to you:

THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTS ARE WRITTEN WITH THE INTENTION OF BEING ACTED OUT AND THE CAST ALL HAVING SMALL SPEAKING PARTS, although options of non-speaking parts as extras is suggested for each of them.

Children’s Nativity Story: A lovely, simple retelling of the traditional, bible based nativity story with lots of gentle humour, all told in rhyme and rhythm. Songs are included if you choose to use them.
Grandpa’s Nativity Story : Set in an excited child’s bedroom on Christmas Eve as they await the presents on Christmas Day, and Grandpa Joe takes the opportunity to tell them the story that they are actually celebrating. As Grandpa Joe reads the story, the children act out the individual nativity scenes, all in rhyme and rhythm. Optional songs are included.
The Donkey’s Christmas : The story of the birth of Jesus told from the humble perspective of a donkey who feels unloved and unnoticed until he realises that God actually chose him to carry His unborn son to his place of birth! A lovely, cute play with a strong message of humility and importance blended together. Optional songs are included.

THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTS have large amounts of narration and the main characters carry the bulk of the script, with a few smaller speaking parts

The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town The innkeeper’s gossiping wife tells the story of the birth of a special baby in her stable, with the help of her diary which gets passed round as the characters interact and comment on her inaccurate memories! Hence, the diary is actually the script so there is no memorising to do, just an ability to scan read and act without it being noticeable.
The DIY Nativity play This script is mostly narrated by the young people, while they give instructions to the congregation to join in unrehearsed, with just a few children included in the acting cast as ‘examples’ for the adults to follow! It has lots of scripted mockery and sarcasm etc aimed at the volunteers who join in having been purpose-written for the nativity service of a church with a fun, family atmosphere. See the script preview however, or email me, if you want to check anything specific for your circumstances.

The next 2 scripts can be used with as many or as few actors as you choose (can literally just be narrated if you choose) WITH OR WITHOUT SPEAKING PARTS, WITHOUT THE SCRIPT BEING REDUCED…….

The Simplest Nativity Play Ever This needs Mary and Joseph as actors as a minimum, but includes up to 19 speaking parts plus extras and non-speaking parts, BUT if someone doesn’t want to say their own line the narrator or a voice-over can say it for them as part of the story being narrated so the script is not reduced.
The Story of Jesus This needs a confident onstage director (part of the script) who actually does the directing using the script , all in rhyme and rhythm (no need to memorise as he does it with constant reference to the script on a clipboard in the same way that a director would do, but is disguising the fact that he is reading his own lines). Other than this, the concept works like the Simplest Nativity Play Ever and rhyming couplets are allocated to each individual, but in such a way that they can choose not to say them themselves and a voice-over or narrator can say their lines as part of the story while they simply have a walk on part.

THIS FINAL SCRIPT HAS LITTLE OR NO SPEAKING PARTS OTHER THAN A NARRATOR but does have a really fun optional audience participation element if you choose to include the Instructor’s speaking part…..

The Alphabet Nativity Play The script is written as an alphabet poem which is narrated and includes 26 keywords mentioned in alphabetical order as part of the story. When mentioned, an illustrated letter is displayed and there are some actions for the children to do. Walk on parts can act the play in mime if you choose, without any lines. I highly recommend the use of the optional parts of ‘Instructor’ who encourages ‘audience participation’ pantomime style, and holds signs up with the response of the audience/congregation. It adds a fun, family atmosphere to an already unique and highly visual play. Meanwhile, another optional character is the ‘Action Superstar’ who demonstrates the actions, and the opportunity to get the congregation to join in the actions at speed at the end together.

The following scripts all include optional songs, with sheet music provided for piano and guitar chords, and mp3 music backing tracks. The songs are all deliberately simple, using tunes of familiar children songs, with my own nativity based lyrics. There is no license fee so you are free to re-use songs as often as you like, including with other scripts. Details of the songs included are listed below for each script…

The Children’s Nativity Story :

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (ie, Angels’ song called “Glory to our God on High”) Lovely for your little angels to sing together)
Jingle Bells (ie, Kings’ song called “Three Kings Came”)
The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy (ie, Shepherds’ song called “Shepherd’s Calypso”.) This can include a solo verse by a shepherd for an extra special touch, plus a chorus sung by angels, and a verse for all of the shepherds to sing together.

Also included are a couple of songs already known to most children….

Away in a Manger
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Finally, my own “Donkey’s Journey” song

Grandpa’s Nativity Story:

I have used my own easily remembered words to the following popular tunes…

Oranges and Lemons (ie, Travelling song called “Bethlehem, Bethlehem, So Far Away”): This could be sung by Mary and Joseph as a duet/solo if you choose
O Christmas Tree (ie, Visitors to the stable song called “In Bethlehem a Babe was Born”)
The traditional hymn, Children of Jerusalem (ie, Angels’ song called “Angel’s Hallelujah”): This song would be really effective if you chose to have each angel sing a solo of individual line as suggested in the script
We wish you a Merry Christmas (ie, Concluding song called “Happy Birthday to Jesus”)
Finally, my own (optional) catchy “Ho Ho Ho” (Santa’s Song) is also included together with alternative variations referring to St Nicholas, and/or Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. You may choose to use the play with no reference to Santa/St Nicholas/ the reindeer etc & it will be just as effective. (If you include Santa and this song, it could be sung as a solo if you choose)

The Donkey’s Christmas:

I have used my own easily remembered words to the following popular tunes…

The Wise Man built his House upon the Rock (ie, Travelling song called “The Donkey Carried Mary”)
Go to sleep my baby (ie, Lullably song “Go to Sleep my Jesus”) This would be really effective sung as a solo by Mary as she rocks the baby
My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean (ie, Angels’ song called “Do Not be Afraid, We are Angels”) The angels could sing this as a group if you choose
Pop Goes the Weasel (ie, Shepherd’s song called “We’re on the Way to Bethlehem”) The shepherd could sing this as a group if you choose.
Sing a Song of Sixpence (ie, Kings song called “We’re Looking for a Baby”) The kings could sing this as a group if you choose.

Plus, the play begins and ends with my own composition called “The Celebration Song”, a lively, catchy tune with very simple but effective words that the children can easily remember.

The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town:

I have used my own easily remembered words to the following popular tunes….

The Wheels on The Bus (ie, Donkey’s Travelling song called “All Day Long”) There is an opportunity for Mary and Joseph to have a solo verse each in this song
Go Tell it on the Mountain (ie, Angel’s song “Go Find the Baby Jesus”) This would be lovely sung by the angels as a group, and even better if they choose to sing a verse each, for example.
Here we go round the Mulberry Bush (ie, Shepherds’ song “This is the Way to Bethlehem”.) If you choose to, the shepherds can sing a solo of a verse each.
1,2,3,4,5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive (ie Kings’ song “1,2,3 Wise Men”)
he’ll be Coming Round the Mountain (ie, Celebration song “Oh! It’s Nearly Christmas Day”)

Finally, my own “Sleep Gentle Jesus” song

The Alphabet Nativity Play: As this script is purpose written to be suitable for younger children and special needs, it includes 9 short songs with easily remembered, repetitive lyrics sung to familiar children’s tunes as follows:

An Angel Told Mary (To the tune of ‘The Arky, Arky song, otherwise known as ‘Rise and Shine’)
Knock, Knock, Knocking (To the tune of ‘Ten Green Bottles’) : This song can be used to enact the scene, and the innkeeper can have a solo part in it as his response to Joseph
Rockabye Jesus (to the tune of Rock-a-bye Baby)
Hurry, Hurry, Off You Go (Angel’s song sung to the tune of ‘Horsey, Horsey’) Can be sung by just the angels as a group if you choose
We are Looking For a Baby (To the tune of ‘What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor’) Shepherds and innkeepers can sing solos in response to each other
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (the original) Kings can sing this as a group if you choose
Three Wise Men (To the tune of Three Blind Mice)
Christmas Day’s On Its Way (To the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’)
Hush Baby Jesus

The following scripts are purpose written (all in rhyme and rhythm) for this exact situation and can be used with little or even no rehearsal. Script prompts are pre-prepared for you and ready for you to print off and distribute to any of the cast who choose to say their own lines, although if anyone prefers not to say their own lines, they can act as a walk on part and their lines be allocated to the narrator or a voice-over so the script continues seamlessly.

The Simplest Nativity Play Ever : The narrator tells the story with obvious prompts for individuals to say lines such as “The innkeeper listened while Joseph said….” (Do you have a room and a lovely warm bed)
The Story of Christmas: The play is directed by an on-stage director who literally gives the instructions as part of the play (all in rhyme and rhythm), whilst constantly referring to his script as if making/reading notes, when he is actually scan reading his own lines discreetly). This therefore requires a confident director who is actually leading the play itself, but everyone else just responds to the obvious prompts such as “This is the angel who told of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of all of the earth” and then reads their lines from the script prompt cards. If they choose not to say their own lines a voice-over can say them (this is written into the script). This script also offers the opportunity to involve some of the congregation with lines to say from their seats.
The Alphabet Nativity Play: Using this script you can tell the traditional nativity story without actors, avoiding the need for costumes and staging, the visual aspect instead being provided by 26 illustrated alphabet letters instead (These are provided as a downloadable printable file). The illustrated letters represent the keywords of the story of Christmas as told, through the script, as an alphabet poem. (Angel tells Mary of the birth in Bethlehem, Caesar decrees a Census so they travel on a Donkey etc, but in far greater detail and rhyme and rhythm!) By a beautiful coincidence the alphabet splits in to two halves exactly as the bible does….the arrival of Jesus, King, Lord, Messiah ends the first half and New beginning starts the second half. This gives the nativity play a real uniqueness and visual effect, without needing all of the traditional staging and actors etc. However, do recognise the preparation time required in printing and planning and timing the performance of the play etc, and be aware that the play can be as simple or complex as you choose, so can involve much more if you are tempted to include actors etc!

Problem solved!

We have this problem every year, so

all of my scripts are written with this in mind. Scenes can be practised independently of each other, and the songs are placed so that they give an opportunity to position the relevant cast for the next scene.
some of my scripts include songs using familiar children’s tunes, to which I have added my own nativity based lyrics, making them easily remembered and requiring minimising rehearsal. Better still, none of the scripts are reliant on the songs that I have included so this element of rehearsal can be cut out completely if you use hymns/carols for the audience/congregation to sing at the appropriate points in the script, or minimised by using your own familiar favourites.With this in mind, these are the best options in my opinion:
The Simplest Nativity Play Ever is exactly what it says. It could be performed with a cast that has literally just been gathered together an hour before and given their script prompt cards, without rehearsal! (Printable prompt cards are included) Alternatively, a smooth, polished, rehearsed performance will be effective and the script prompt cards would not be required during the performance…your choice!
The Story of Christmas NEW FOR 2016 Written as a result of the incredible feedback from the Simplest Nativity Play Ever, this uses the same concept of not requiring a rehearsal, but uses a (scripted) on-stage director to give instructions to the cast, some of whom never even need to leave their seats to be involved. (Director needs to be confident and able to scan read, as they refer to the script throughout just as a director does, but disguise the fact that they are reading their lines from it!)
The DIY Nativity Play (for a nativity service in familiar surroundings in a fun, family atmosphere) Due to the audience participation, this simply requires a familiarity with the script and clear narration, so very little rehearsal is required, but the script is very specific to circumstances where the audience is known and will be comfortable joining in (and being mocked as part of the script!)
The Alphabet Nativity Play can be as simple as you choose to make it, and can be used with or without acting, yet has a creative alphabetical visual element. The songs are very simple and intended for the younger children to perform, or you could simply include Christmas carols for the congregation. There is an optional character included (the ‘Instructor’) who gets the congregation to participate ‘pantomime style’ by holding up signs of responses they expect to the things they say. Also, 26 alphabetical keywords are specified during the story and actions are suggested to do for the words, with an optional “Action Superstar” demonstrating these and an option for the congregation to join in. In theory, this script should be simple, but in practice the ‘Action Superstar’ and the people holding up the illustrated keywords need a good familiarity of the script to get their timing right and in synch with the narrator. Don’t underestimate this element of it when you plan rehearsals! In general, the rehearsal time is more specific to the practicalities of the script (ie, timing, plus where and how to display the letters.)

Problem solved!

You have lots of choice: I write all of my scripts with this in mind and include lots of flexibility.

The Day that Baby Jesus Came To Town Story is told by the older children as Innkeeper’s Wife and Narrators etc, whilst the younger children do the smaller parts. Simple songs, written with younger children in mind and using familiar children’s tunes are included.
The DIY Nativity Play Our 7 older children/ teenagers loved this script as they narrated and led the service, all in rhyme, giving instructions to the congregation and coaxing volunteer adults to join in.….The relevant mockery is all scripted too! The few younger children we had loved their role within the cast of ‘setting the example of how to play the part.’ No music is included with this script as you use congregational hymns at the appropriate points.
Children’s Nativity Story This nativity play has even been used for an all adult cast. Simple songs, written with younger children in mind and using familiar children’s tunes are included
Grandpa’s Nativity Story Narration and Grandpa’s role have often been performed by adults or older children. Simple songs, written with younger children in mind and using familiar children’s tunes are included
The Donkey’s Christmas Play : The songs are geared to infant aged children, but the script will adapt easily to include carols, hymns, or your own songs. The acting could be any age; cute and endearing with a young donkey, and acted with a comic effect by an older one.
Simplest Nativity Play Ever 19 optional speaking parts, plus angels, narrators, instructor and non-speaking extras as required. Any age mix would work with this cast, rehearsed or unrehearsed (the instructions are given to the cast as part of the script)
The Alphabet Nativity Play : This could be excellent for special needs, mixed abilities or a pre-school cast….literally any mix of ages and abilities. The songs are very much geared towards younger children, while the interaction of the Action Superstar and the Instructor with the audience adds a real comic effect performed by an older child/teenager, but would have the ‘cute factor’ when performed by a younger child.
The Story of Christmas: This script requires a confident on-stage director (the direction being scripted all in rhyme). The director refers to his/her script as any director would do (disguising the fact that he/she is actual scan reading their lines as they tell the actors on stage what to do, so any age or ability can join in unrehearsed if you like.). the nature of the script means that adult from the congregation can join in without the need for a full rehearsal.

Problem solved!

The Alphabet Nativity Play is perfect for young children. Narrated as an alphabet poem, with 26 printable illustrated letters provided (to be displayed as the play progresses),it can be enacted in mime to the narration if you choose, but more specifically has actions suggested for the 26 keywords of the script which would be perfect for a group of young children to do. The play’s flexibility means that it can be as simple or as detailed as you choose to suit your cast’s age and ability. It also includes 9 short optional simple songs (with sheet music and mp3 backing tracks in case you have no pianist) which are perfect for young children, using familiar children’s tunes with my own simple, repetitive (ie, easily remembered) words.
The Simplest Nativity Play Ever (19 optional speaking parts plus angels, narrators, instructor and non-speaking extras as required) All children can mime to narration, or can say their own line if preferred. The script itself includes an instructor as a narrator, who literally instructs the actors as part of the script. No songs are included so that you can use your own favourites, or even include carols for everyone to join in.
The Story of Christmas Scripted for 20 optional speaking parts, plus Mary, Joseph and Innkeeper, narrator(s) and a director, in addition to any extra walk on parts or dancing angels etc, any role can be omitted without reducing or altering the script: It is written such that the narrator or a voice-over can step in and say any of the actors’ lines if preferred (even as a last minute decision in the case of stage fright!) An adult would need to play the role of director, using the script on a clipboard and literally reading the script from there, appearing to be making notes. In this way, the director actually tells each actor when to come out and where to stand as part of the script. Songs are not included, allowing you to re-use your past favourites but, if you particularly want music, the songs from any of my other scripts will work very effectively, so feel free to ‘Mix and Match.’

The following scripts are carried by narration, with lots of small, speaking parts which are ideal for young children as the rhyming makes them easy to remember.

Children’s Nativity Story (MOST POPULAR TO DATE) Tells the traditional nativity story, with short speaking parts included, simple songs and lots of gentle humour.