School Nativity Plays

• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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 teenagers of our church specifically requested these two optional characters to be written in and it worked brilliantly.
• 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 a church with a fun, family atmosphere, and always receives fabulous feedback.  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.  We used this script when we had very few children in our Sunday School so we could include some adults who simply sat on the end of the pews as the innkeepers etc, and it was a great way to get involvement from the whole congregation.
• 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 (must be confident and familiar with the script) 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.)  Having used this script in 2015 in our church (I played the director) I have included an example diagram of the way that the church was set out and where everyone sat for our performance.  The Shepherds, Innkeepers, Soldier, Caesar, Joseph and Star were all unrehearsed members of the congregation, whilst the kings joined us from a local school and were unfamiliar with the church.  It was a blessing for us all.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Finally 

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That Wonderful God-given First Christmas Day is written as a full nativity service, including bible readings (from the New International Version of the bible) and narrated by a storyteller (can be split into up to 15 parts of 3 lines).  The storyteller introduces each character with an obvious prompt and a walk on part can then be brought on with, on average, a couple of rhyming lines to say.  Some actors and/or their lines could be omitted, but it would shorten the script if they were not included, or a voiceover could be used if preferred.

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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…

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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”)

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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

That Wonderful God-given First Christmas Day: 

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This script is more specifically a nativity service including the story of Jesus’s birth read directly from the appropriate bible passages, which are then re-iterated when a storyteller introduces a scene and character in rhyme.  The character comes onto stage to say a couple of rhyming lines before joining the stable scene to build up a live tableau.  It is therefore deliberately simple in every way,  suggesting Carols for the congregation to sing together at appropriate points rather than having songs for the children to learn and perform.  However, there are two optional opportunities included for the children to sing:

• Mary can sing a solo, (or others can join in) with a lullably of some simple purpose written lyrics to the tune of “Hush Little Baby”
• The angels can sing a simple song called “Glory to our God on High” to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

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HAVE TO PRACTICE WITHOUT THE PIANIST?  NO PIANIST FOR THE PERFORMANCE?

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- Problem solved!

• The Children’s Nativity Story,
• Grandpa’s Nativity Story and
• The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town
• The Donkey’s Christmas
• The Alphabet Nativity Play

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The above all include mp3 music files to use as backing tracks for the simple songs, as well as sheet music with simple piano music and guitar chords.

• The DIY Nativity Play
• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever
• The Story of Christmas

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All of these use congregational hymns/ carols of your own choice, so no music rehearsals are required.

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All of my scripts are deliberately balanced to include lots of small speaking parts (generally 19 to 25) but are deliberately adaptable so that you can reduce or increase the cast, but some are more flexible than others in terms of omitting certain lines to accommodate anyone shy in your cast who doesn’t want lines.

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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 play : 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.

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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.  I would consider the main characters of this script to be better suited to older children.

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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.

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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  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.

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HAVE TO PRACTICE WITHOUT THE PIANIST?

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Problem solved!

• The Children’s Nativity Story,
• Grandpa’s Nativity Story and
• The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town
• The Donkey’s Christmas
• The Alphabet Nativity

The above all include mp3 music files to use as backing tracks for the simple songs, as well as sheet music with simple piano music and guitar chords.

• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever
• The Story of Christmas

The above scripts use congregational hymns/ carols of your own choice, so no music rehearsals are required.

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The following scripts are purpose written (all in rhyme and rhythm) for this exact situation and can be used with little group rehearsal, using script prompts which are included with the script ready for you to print off and distribute to any of the cast who choose to say their own lines. 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.

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• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever : The narrator tells the bible based nativity 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).  An instructor tells the actors what to do (all in rhyme and rhythm) so that the direction needs little rehearsal.  The actors can literally read their lines from script prompt cards that are provided ready for you to simply print off on card, and distribute.
• 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 that are provided.  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 audience with lines to say from their seats, which would make a simple way to involve children with speaking parts without them even needing to leave their class group.
• The Alphabet Nativity : This play is less about acting and more about telling the story with visuals.  Hence, 26 key words are included in the story, which is told as an alphabet poem, and as each of them is said (in alphabetical order in the story:A=Angel, B=Beginning of the story, C=Census, D=Donkey etc), an illustrated letter is displayed and the appropriate action is done for that specific keyword.  The illustrations act as a prompt for the appropriate actions.  These letters are all prepared and ready to be printed onto card, and this is all the preparation time that you would need as there are no lines to distribute to the children, with the exception of the narration and the songs.  Of course, if you choose to have the story mimed to the narration, you will, of course, need to organise costumes.

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1…..all of my scripts are written with this in mind, but some even more so than others.  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.

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2…..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 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 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!  The narrator tells the bible based nativity story, and includes obvious prompts for the actors to speak, such as “the innkeeper listened as Joseph said…….” (“Do you have a room with a lovely warm bed?”) etc.  This means that the actors know when to speak but, if they choose not to have a speaking part, or forget to speak, or simply have stage fright, the narrator can carry on interrupted with the story and say their lines as part of it.  Printable script prompt cards are included to be distributed to the cast, and these can be used for the performance if necessary.  Better still, the script includes the role of an Instructor who literally tells each character what to do and where to go at the appropriate point (all in rhyme and rhythm in keeping with the script), making rehearsal of  even the direction part of the script unnecessary.
• 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!)  An example diagram of the layout of the church when I used it personally is included, to help you to visualise it and to avoid overlooking elements such as props being in place.
• 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 audience to join in.  There is an optional character included (the ‘Instructor’) who gets the interacts with the audience ‘pantomime style’ by holding up signs of responses they are expected to 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 everyone to join in at speed to the quick recap poem at the end of the play; a really fun moment.  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 sync 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.) but if you choose to use the Instructor and get the children to respond, and/or the Action Superstar and get the children to copy the actions, this would be the main aspect of group rehearsals.

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With the exception of the DIY Nativity play, all of my scripts are written to include a narrator and around 22 to 25 small speaking parts, but they are deliberately adaptable so that you can omit roles, double up, reduce, or increase the cast, dependant upon your needs.  With an average class of 18 to 30 children you can literally choose any of the following scripts knowing that you can adapt them easily to suit your needs, and that many options for doing so are also included as suggestions.  Also, having had feedback from many customers, I have included, for your guidance, specifics of tried and tested cast adaptations that I am aware of……

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Small cast of ideally 9 or 10 or above, although some customers have easily adapted further to as few as 5 children

• Children’s Nativity Story (MOST POPULAR TO DATE) A simple retelling of the traditional nativity story with lots of humour built in
• Grandpa’s Nativity Story (Grandpa tells the traditional nativity story to the excited children on Christmas Eve)
• The Donkey’s Christmas Play : Although written with enough lines for 23 parts, only 9 parts are crucial to keeping the script at the same lengths, as the lines can be shared out or said by the narrator.
• The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town: Although written with potentially 24 speaking parts, we performed the play at our church with a cast of just 9 by doubling up some roles very effectively (suggestions are made in the script).  Be aware, however, that the key roles will need to be confident readers, potentially older children (see the script page for specific details)

As few children as 2      Yes, really!

• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever (ANY size cast can act to the narrator’s story, and can choose to say their own simple lines when prompted)
• The Story of Christmas This script is written to be narrated entirely as a story with the option of actors saying their own lines, or of a voice-over saying the lines that there are no actors for.  Includes the option of members of the congregation standing and saying lines from their seats, which is a great, fun way to ensure that ANY church can do this nativity.

Or even with the option of little or no acting, but with a really great visual effect……

• The Alphabet Nativity play :  An entirely narrated script, written as a visual alphabet poem, which can be used effectively with or without actors, and can literally be ‘performed’ by displaying the included pictures of the 26 alphabetical keywords mentioned in the narration and/ or doing actions to each one.  There is a great option to include some fun audience participation by including the optional ‘instructor’ who talks to the audience in a ‘pantomime’ style and holds up signs telling them what to respond with.

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I tend to write my simple song lyrics with younger children and quick learning in mind.  You may, therefore, want to decide on the suitability of songs by looking at the details of individual scripts and checking the script previews, bearing in mind that none of my scripts are reliant upon the songs and you are able to use your own choice of favourite songs, or even Christmas Carols if you prefer.  Meanwhile, this is my opinion regarding the suitability of the scripts themselves:

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• The Day that Baby Jesus Came To Town The nativity story is told from the perspective of the gossiping Innkeeper’s wife using her diary as a point of reference (and therefore meaning that the script does not need learning).  There is lots of humour, sarcasm and attitude included (with Mary and Joseph’s relationship especially), offering a great opportunity for the main characters to shine as comic actors.  This is a really fun script for the actors and the audience and is very much enjoyed by this age group.
• The Alphabet Nativity  play is narrated entirely as an alphabet poem, whilst 26 illustrated letters are displayed to represent the key alphabetical words that are stressed in the story.  This can be done without any acting at all using the letters as a simple visual representation of the story being told, making this a totally unique nativity, with the option of actors walking through the story as it is told.  There is also an optional ‘Action Superstar’ who can demonstrate the appropriate actions to each of the keywords, and the fun option of getting the whole audience (or another group of children) to participate in doing the actions at speed at the end of the play when a recap poem is read out.  A particular favourite optional element for this age group is the Instructor, who interacts with the audience in a pantomime style, getting them to respond as appropriate to elements of the story.  Whilst the songs that are included are geared to involving the younger children, the play can be shortened to include no songs, or carols can be used for the cast and/or audience to sing.
• The Children’s Nativity Story is a simple retelling of the bible based nativity and includes some gentle humour and opportunities for solos in the Shepherd’s Calypso, although some of the songs may be considered more suitable for younger children.
• The Donkey’s Christmas is told from the perspective of the donkey on his way to Bethlehem as he grumbles about his humble role in life “No-one seems to notice me, no-one seems to care.  I’m tired and I’ve had to walk right from over there”.  This can have a really endearing effect when acted by a young child, but an older child can add attitude and humour throughout the play until the realisation at the end that he had the most important role of all in carrying God’s unborn son.  The songs, whilst using simple familiar children’s tunes, do offer an opportunity for groups to sing as part of the play, such as the kings, the angels, and the shepherds.

I plan to write more scripts that approach the story in a unique way specific to this age group, and continue to add them in the near future.  In the meantime, all of my scripts lend themselves to being used by a mixed age cast.

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• 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 either mime to narration, or can say their own line if preferred.  The script itself includes an instructor as an extra narrator, who literally tells the actors what to do and when to do it 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 (or confident junior school child) 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.
• Grandpa’s Nativity Story Grandpa tells the traditional nativity story to the excited children on Christmas Eve and thereby acting as a narrator while the nativity is enacted with short, rhyming speaking parts.  Santa/St Nicholas can be included as an option, and simple songs are again included.  Grandpa can be played by a young child (confident reader) for a cute effect, or by an adult for a different effect.
• The Donkey’s Christmas  The story is told from the perspective of the donkey, who is feeling un-noticed and unimportant as he humbly goes on his journey, until he eventually realises that he has been given the most important job of all; carrying God’s unborn child to the place of his birth.   A young child would make a very endearing donkey, grumbling that “Hmmmmph.  No-one seems to notice me.  No-one seems to care.  I’m tired and I’ve had to walk right from over there!”    The songs are particularly geared towards younger children, but the script can be used with your own choice of songs if preferred.
• The Day that Baby Jesus Came To Town  The play is dominated by the main characters of innkeeper’s wife, innkeeper and narrator so they need to be older, confident children, but the rest of the songs and script is ideal for young children, so I would consider this better suited to a mixed age cast.

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The following are generally scripted for an cast of 22 to 25 small speaking parts, and characters can be added in or removed without affecting the length of the script or the performance time.  (Suggestions are provided for you.)  There are, of course, always opportunities to add in extra non-speaking parts (innkeepers wives, animals, extra shepherds, kings, angels etc) and the songs provide an opportunity to include children as a choir.  I always aim to make my songs simple and effective to minimise rehearsals and make them easy to remember for young children.

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Scripts which include music

• Children’s Nativity Story MOST POPULAR TO DATE (Tells the basic, traditional nativity story with lots of gentle humour)
• Grandpa’s Nativity Story (Grandpa tells the traditional nativity story to the excited children on Christmas Eve using a bedtime story book) This script comes recommended for a whole school performance of 90 children (as seen in the video above), and includes Santa/St Nicholas delivering Christmas presents on a modern Christmas eve too (can be excluded if you prefer)
• The Day That Baby Jesus Came to Town (With lots of humour, told from the perspective of the Innkeeper’s gossiping wife using her diary)  The Innkeeper, his wife and the narrator carry the play and must be good, confident readers so this is ideal for older junior children.  Whilst the have the bulk of the lines between them, they do not need to remember them as they pass the innkeeper’s wife’s diary around and read from it, so this is provided as a script prompt for them to scan read.  The script is full of opportunities for sarcasm, attitude and lots of humour, together with lots smaller speaking parts for younger children, opportunities for your own extra non-speaking parts and 6 simple and effective songs for a larger choir to sing.
• The Donkey’s Christmas Play (Cute and amusing , focusing on the donkey as the main character, and sharing a lovely message of humility, and of God always been there with us) With 23 small speaking parts already included and the option of adding your own extras there are lots of opportunities to make everyone feel special.  A young child playing the donkey will give it cute appeal, or an older child could shine with their comic acting skills.  The 6 songs included are a chance to include the whole school as a choir.
• The Alphabet Nativity Play is also an option but with actions as it’s focus instead of speaking parts.  The narrator reads the story (which is in the form of an Alphabet Poem) and highlights 26 keywords in alphabetical order.  When the keywords are mentioned, pictures are displayed and actions done for each word.  The play can be enacted in mime as the story is narrated if you choose to do so.  Meanwhile, there is the option (not essential) of some interaction with the audience in the form of an ‘Instructor’, a sort of pantomime style character who speaks to the audience and holds up signs for them to say in response.  9 simple songs are included which also offer the opportunity of solo parts if you choose to use them to enact the scene.  Hence, the play can involve large groups of children doing actions, songs and potentially walk on parts to enact the narration without saying lines, so is particularly good for special needs groups, etc.

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Scripts without music, intended for you to use your own or for you to include hymns/carols (maybe even for your audience to join in with) some of which are suggested but not provided for you.

• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever  The fastest selling script, with the most overwhelming feedback to date  (19 speaking parts plus narrators, instructor, angels and non-speaking extras as required)  The narrator tells the story in such a way that every speaking part is introduced with an obvious prompt such as “The innkeeper listened while Joseph said…….” and script prompt cards are provided to make the distribution of lines easier.  To make this a whole school performance you would need to provide your own songs to include a choir.
• The Story of Christmas NEW FOR 2016 and using the same concept as The Simplest Nativity Play Ever as a result of the fantastic response to that script and requests for something similar. (Up to 21 speaking parts plus narrator, on-stage director, bible reader and ‘host’ of angels)  This script has an on-stage director (must be an older confident reader as they constantly refer to their script as if making notes, when they are really scan reading to save memorising it).  This person can literally direct on stage as part of the play, even taking actors by the hand to guide them, so it makes it very feasible to mix older and younger children as any ‘oops’ moments can seem natural!

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Inclusion is very important to me.  

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All of my scripts are highly adaptable and flexible enough to be changed to suit your own needs, so please see the script previews if you want to get a better feel of any individual script as I have no doubt that you will find inventive ways to use any of my scripts.  The ones that I have listed below are those that I personally consider to be the most obvious choices for the reasons given.

I genuinely am here as your enabler, so if you have any specific special needs that you would like help accommodating just email me and I will do my best to supply a solution, in rhyme and rhythm, in keeping with the script.  My favourite request to date was for a means of including identical twins in the role of Mary, which I did by writing a humorous handover moment between the two.  I can’t promise to achieve, but, time allowing, I will always do my best!

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• The Alphabet Nativity Play :  This is a very visual script and, whilst the nativity story is narrated, the script doesn’t rely entirely upon the narration. It is written as an alphabet poem which includes 26 alphabetical key words, each represented by an illustrated letter which is displayed when the keyword is mentioned in the narration, and actions are included for the children to do to represent the word.  The story can be ‘walked through’ by actors but without any speaking parts, although the songs offer opportunities for character solos if you choose to use them in that way.  There is also an option (which I highly recommend) of including an ‘Instructor’ who interacts with the audience and an ‘Action Superstar’ who demonstrates each of the actions to the 26 keywords mentioned during the story.
• The actions and the fact that they are prompted by the displaying of the letter and (ideally) an ‘Action Superstar’ if you choose to include them, make this an ideal play for the DEAF, or for young children.  (The songs that are included are well suited for young children too.)
• The lack of necessary stage movement would make it ideal for a disabled group.
• Doing the actions as a group would be well suited to any individuals who don’t like the personal pressure or attention of a ‘performance’.
• Visual learners will find this script easier to connect with, as well as those with memory problems, as the illustrated letters act as a visual prompt and the Action Superstar can demonstrate for the group to copy.
• The Instructor’s (optional) interaction with the audience adds a unique and fun element to the play, making it a great way to include everyone. The Instructor, a sort of pantomime style character, holds signs up for the audience (or you might choose to use the rest of the children/choir etc) to say (‘NO’, ‘AH!’ ‘SH’ etc).  In true pantomime style, the response isn’t good enough and the Instructor, also using rhyme and rhythm, tells them so (eg, “That really isn’t good enough…let’s have another ‘ah!’ Remember, he’s the cutest baby that you’ve seen by far!”)  Likewise, the Action Superstar demonstrates the actions throughout the play with the option of getting everyone to do the actions together at speed to a recap poem at the end of the play.

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• The Story of Christmas : some of the parts are written to be spoken from seats in the audience, without any walk on acting required.  All of the parts have script prompt cards provided and any actors lines can be omitted (and substituted by the narrator) making it….
• Ideal for those who are shy, nervous or prone to stage fright
• Great for involving those who can’t commit to any rehearsals, or even to being present on the day.
• Ideal for including the hearing or vision impaired and the disabled, as some of the parts are conducted from a seat at the end of a row (Innkeepers who simply answer their door to speak when Joseph and Mary approach) This means that their prompter literally approaches them as they sit in a seat with the audience.
• Good for young children or those who find it hard to concentrate or remember as a scripted on-stage director tells everyone where to go and what to do as part of the play, so other characters are literally spoken to from on stage and told where to stand and what to do!  (When I played the part of the director in our performance, a young child who had not attended a rehearsal played the part of Joseph and approached the stage too early, but I simply led him to a different place by the hand as I continued to speak while referring to my clipboard (ie, reading my script) just as a director might do! In fact, it added to the authenticity of the play!)

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• The Simplest Nativity Play Ever : This play can be performed with any size cast and with little or no rehearsal as it the concept is so  simple.  An instructor literally tells the actors what to do and when and where (all in rhyme and rhythm as part of the script), and each character is introduced by the narrator with an obvious prompt such as “The Innkeeper listened while Joseph said…..”.
• This script is therefore ideal for young children or those with memory problems, as nothing needs to be remembered, although they do need to pay attention to the instructor in the play to listen for their instructions.  This is, however, made easier by the fact that the instructions are given by the ‘Instructor’ not the narrator.
• Some parts are included that can be performed from seats on the end of rows (such as Innkeepers and Bethlehem residents who simply answer their doors to speak when Joseph and Mary approach and knock on them) making it ideal for inclusion of the disabled.  These same parts would work for the partially sighted or deaf, as the prompt literally comes to their seat.
• The script works for the shy, nervous, or prone to stage fright as the narrator can continue with their lines as an uninterrupted part of the story if necessary.  In the same way, this helps when including someone who cannot commit to rehearsals or to being present on the day.

All of my scripts, by using rhyme and rhythm and short speaking parts, make it more feasible for non-confident readers to take part knowing that the lines take very little memorising.  All of my songs are deliberately simple and repetitive, using familiar children’s tunes with my own Christmas lyrics added, making them easy for the children to pick up and remember without relying on reading any words.

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Scripted with 6 narrators, 1 small speaking part and 4 children’s walk on parts (plus angels as required) it tells the traditional, bible based nativity story all in rhyme, and incorporates volunteers from the congregation as the remaining cast.  All the appropriate mockery of the volunteers is scripted in rhyme and makes for a hilarious, family atmosphere!

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“The church really entered into the fun of it and the children thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity for some good humoured mockery of the adult volunteers!”

Angela (after using in my own church)

No songs are included, as this is written as a nativity service using hymns and carols for the congregation to join in.  Suggestions are made for appropriate carols, but feel free to choose your own alternatives.

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE DIY NATIVITY PLAY click here

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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 Purpose written to relieve the pressure of rehearsals and last minute changes this script uses the same concept as The Simplest Nativity Play Ever, but incorporates an ability to do more acting by having a scripted on-stage director who leads the unrehearsed acting. 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.

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Printable script prompt cards are included for those who choose to say their own lines, but the script is written so that the narrator or a voice-over can step in and say any of the actors’ lines instead if preferred.

 Angela’s challenge to you:

“We used this script in a newly refurbished and therefore untested church building, with children from a local school who had never been before, with just one rehearsal and no certainty of numbers until that weekend!  Every element of our nativity was unknown!  We included members of the congregation who stood and spoke from where they were seated.

THIS SCRIPT REALLY IS POSSIBLE IN ANY CHURCH WITH ANY SIZE CAST!

If you don’t have enough children for a nativity, why not invite children from the community or local school.

We were so blessed as a church and community, and yet the children thought that we had done them a favour LETTING them join in!

 No songs are included, as this is written as a nativity service using hymns and carols for the congregation to join in.  Suggestions are made for appropriate carols, but feel free to choose your own alternatives.

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS click here

If you would like to SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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Purpose written to relieve the pressure of rehearsals and last minute changes this script really is the Simplest Nativity Play Ever. Scripted for 19 (optional) speaking parts, plus angels, narrators and an instructor, ANY role can be omitted without reducing or altering the script, except for Mary and Joseph.

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Script prompt cards are included for those who choose to say their own lines, but the script is written so that the narrator can step in and say any of the actors’ lines instead if preferred.

The whole script references the parts of the bible where the story is taken from, and encourages people to read the story for themselves.

 Angela’s challenge to you:

“This script really is possible in any church. It could even be used as a fantastic community nativity service, where anyone who wanted to take part could arrive an hour beforehand; what a great outreach it could be.”

 No songs are included, as this is written as a nativity service using hymns and carols for the congregation to join in.  Suggestions are made for appropriate carols, but feel free to choose your own alternatives.

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE SIMPLEST NATIVITY PLAY EVER click here

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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This script is more specifically a nativity service, incorporating a simple nativity play within a carol service, and providing all of the appropriate bible readings, which are taken from the Good News translation of the bible, together with a couple of optional songs for the children to sing as solos or as a choir.

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The script is flexible and adapts to ANY SIZE CAST and, if used exactly as written, includes:

• one or more storytellers (split it as you choose),
• a leader (to introduce songs etc), and
• up to 16 speaking parts to enact the story as it is read, averaging 1 or 2 rhyming couplets (any of which can be omitted or spoken by a voiceover if preferred so that the script is not reduced), plus
• optional singers and dancing angels.
• 2 optional short, simple songs with sheet music and backing tracks: a lullaby for Mary, and a song of praise for the angels.

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The message of this nativity service is a challenge to everyone to consider the birth of Jesus to be more than just a story that the children tell every year in a cute way, but instead to recognise it’s relevance today to each of us as individuals and as Christians.  It asks the audience to consider 

WHAT THEY PERSONALLY BELIEVE.

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The play element simply reiterates and emphasises each bible reading and the actors gradually build up a ‘live tableau’ of the stable scene by the end of the service.

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This script was provided to Action for Children for their fundraisers to use in 2016:

“Last year, you very kindly supported Action for Children by writing a beautiful drama and poem for our worship resource booklet.  We had some very positive feedback and the content you supplied was perfect for our younger members of the congregations.” 

Gill Dean: Fundraising Manager – England North & Wales – Community Partnerships

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This service preaches a very Christian message in a unique way, rounded up in the free poem that is included as an option to use at the end of the service.  All of the planning is done for you, including the bible reading selection, so you literally only need to add your own moments for prayer and the taking of the offering/collection at some point in the service.  Better still, the organisation of the play is beautifully simple, with individual script prompts for each actor ready prepared for you to print and distribute.

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For MORE DETAILS OF THAT WONDERFUL GOD-GIVEN FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY click here

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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Adaptable, Brilliantly Creative, Deliberately Easy and Flexible, the entire script is narrated as an alphabet poem, with 26 printable illustrated letters provided (to be displayed as the play progresses, and actions suggested for the 26 keywords of the script.  Used with or without actors miming to the story, the play’s flexibility means that it can be as simple or as detailed as you choose.)  

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In the absence of any testimonials, this is my vision for the script

“This unique play is so simple that it could even be used by a preacher as an unrehearsed nativity, yet it’s so flexible that it could be used for a fully rehearsed, personalised Sunday school nativity play.  Regardless of whether you are blessed with children in your church, the message of the Christmas

 story can still be told with flair!”

Angela

The script and all of the 26 printable, illustrated letters are provided, including alternative appropriate lyrics for the following 9 short optional simple songs (with sheet music and mp3 backing tracks in case you have no pianist), but the script will also work with your own choice of songs or congregational hymns/carols if you prefer :

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• 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 (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 if you choose
• 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

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE ALPHABET NATIVITY PLAY click here

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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Scripted with 23 small speaking parts, many of which are optional, with a recommended minimum of 9, the Donkey’s Christmas play script tells the traditional bible based nativity story with an entirely rhyming narration, from the perspective of the donkey.

In the absence of any testimonials, this is my vision for this script

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“Casting the donkey as the main character, the part could be played by a young child for an endearing cute factor, or played with comic flair by an older actor.  This gentle humoured script highlights the message that we are all special to God”

Angela

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Whilst the script can be used with your own choice of songs, carols or congregational hymns if you prefer, it includes alternative appropriate lyrics, sheet music and mp3 backing tracks to the following simple children’s songs, all using the familiar 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”)
• My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean (ie, Angels’ song called “Do Not be Afraid, We are Angels”)
• Pop Goes the Weasel (ie, Shepherd’s song called “We’re on the Way to Bethlehem”)
• Sing a Song of Sixpence (ie, Kings song called “We’re Looking for a Baby”)

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.

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE DONKEY’S CHRISTMAS PLAY click here,

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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THE DAY THAT BABY JESUS CAME TO TOWN

Written from the perspective of the gossiping Innkeeper’s Wife, who was so intrigued by the activity and visitors at the stable that night that she wrote it all in her diary.

Together with her downtrodden husband and the narrators, the story is told in rhyme (reading from her diary) whilst being acted out by another 20 scripted small speaking parts (many optional.)

Mary’s uniquely amusing dialogue brings an extra touch of humour.

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 “Absolutely EVERYBODY loved the play….lots of positive feedback about the clever way it was written and the catchy little songs. Lots of people said it was the best nativity play they had ever seen.”

Rochelle Samwell, Glandore Family Church Kid’s Club, Adelaide

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"Our older children chose the script for its humour, and enjoyed the opportunity to 

really ‘act’ their parts with attitude and sarcasm!” 

Angela (after using in my own church)

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Whilst you are able to use your own songs if you prefer, the script includes sheet music, mp3 backing tracks and purpose written simple words to the tunes of:

• The Wheels on the Bus  (ie, All Day Long)
• Go Tell it on the Mountain  (Go Find the Baby Jesus)
• Here We go Round the Mulberry Bush  (This is the Way to Bethlehem)
• Once I Caught a Fish Alive  (1,2,3 Wise Men)
• She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain  (Oh, it’s Nearly Christmas Day)
• And finally, my own composition… Sleep Gentle Jesus

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE DAY THAT BABY JESUS CAME TO TOWN click here,

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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GRANDPA’S NATIVITY STORY

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Set in an excited children’s bedroom on Christmas Eve, it blends a modern day Christmas Eve with Grandpa’s reminder of the traditional, bible based nativity story, read as a bedtime story. Scripted with 20 small speaking parts (many optional), the narrator continues as the cast act, all in rhyme.

 (Santa/St Nicholas can be included, with a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas.)

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In the words of a customer the script is:

 “Easy to adapt to your own church settings and cast, but most of the 

script and directions are perfect as they are.” 

Ian from Manchester

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The script includes sheet music, mp3 backing tracks and purpose written simple words to the tunes of:

• Oranges and Lemons  (ie Bethlehem, Bethlehem, So Far away)
• O Christmas Tree  (ie In Bethlehem a Babe was Born)
• Children of Jerusalem hymn tune  (ie Angel’s Hallelujah)
• We Wish you a Merry Christmas  (ie, Happy Birthday to Jesus)
• Finally, my own Ho Ho Ho (Santa’s Song)

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE GRANDPA’S NATIVITY STORY click here,

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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CHILDREN’S NATIVITY STORY

Scripted with 19 small speaking parts (many optional) it tells the traditional, bible based nativity story all in rhyme, with narration, and with lots of fun and humour. In the words of my customers, the script is:

“Really enjoyable.  Liked the comedy touches.  Rhyming was brilliant!”

Mrs C Atkins St John’s Pre-school Nursery

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“A nice mixture of traditional with a contemporary twist!”

Rev Victoria Linford, Scotland

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Whilst the script will work with your own choice of songs or music, it includes sheet music, mp3 backing tracks and purpose written simple words to the tunes of:

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star  (ie Angels’ song called “Glory to our God on High”)
• 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)

 Also included are the familiar songs:

• Away in a Manger &
• We Wish you a Merry Christmas
• Finally, my own Donkey’s Journey song

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For MORE DETAILS OF THE CHILDREN’S NATIVITY STORY click here 

If you would like TO SEE THE SCRIPT PREVIEW click here

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 Which is yours to customize as you choose once you have bought it, so that you can……..

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• Reduce or lengthen the script
• Miss out or change songs
• Add names
• Print off your finished version, exactly representing your own personal nativity plans, and distribute individual speaking parts for the children to learn.

All without any untidy scribbles or mess on the pages, leaving it as clear and easy as possible to read and use!

“Having the downloadable copy was invaluable as we could adapt it to meet 

our own needs and personalise it”

Kirsty, Summerhill Junior School, Bristol

You can take advantage of this unprecedented option to upgrade and receive the actual, adaptable word document in addition to the PDF (you’d be mad not to) for just £2 extra. Just follow the simple instructions once you click the “ADD TO CART” button.

Remember, it is a totally customizable Word Document IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL PDF.

 I pride myself in making my scripts the best value for money around, so my Children’s Nativity Story, including sheet music and FREE music mp3 files, can be downloaded instantly to your computer for the special low price of  just £9.95.

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For this one time investment you will receive:

An easy to follow script, with

•   a built in note-making column
•   a character listing and breakdown of lines per character
•   a casting list (add your own children’s names)
•   Notes to help you on how casting can be adapted
•   Some helpful directing suggestions
•   Permission to re-use the script with NO LICENCE FEE TO PAY
•   FREE downloadable Mp3 FILES as MUSIC backing tracks

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And wait, there’s more…….

I’VE SAVED THE BEST TILL LAST

 The Children’s Nativity Story sticks to a fun, relaxed biblical retelling of the birth of Jesus without any specific message other than a simple celebration of the story.

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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.

Just £9.95, for an instantly downloadable pdf document of the script, including sheet music and downloadable mp3 backing tracks of the music.

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Alternatively, I highly recommend upgrading your purchase for just £2 extra, to receive all of the above in addition to A WORD DOCUMENT of the script to customise and personalise for your own nativity play.  It really is invaluable when it comes to personalising the script and distributing lines etc.

As the script is so adaptable, (the smallest cast size to my knowledge currently being 5) , please be aware that the following list is for the maximum likelihood that you will need.  Therefore, the only costumes required are the traditional nativity costumes for the characters that you choose to include from the following:

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Mary, Joseph, Donkey, 2 Roman Soldiers, Angel Gabriel, 3 Shepherds,  4 Innkeepers, 1 Innkeepers wife, 3 kings, Star

Considerations when planning your rehearsals…..

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• If the script is used exactly as written, no individual has a large amount to learn (I aim to give everyone just a couple of rhyming lines each).
• Naturally Mary and Joseph have individual lines at different points in the play but generally speaking everyone else has just one particular scene, making it easy for scenes to practised individually without the need for full rehearsals.
• If you choose to use the songs, they are deliberately easy to remember as the words are simple and repetitive, but they can be practised without a pianist by using the mp3 backing tracks provided.

All these things considered, I personally would plan to practise individual scenes and songs separately so that one or two full rehearsals should then be sufficient (the first being an opportunity for the director to make notes re practicalities etc, and the second being a full dress rehearsal, although personal circumstances and cast age and ability will of course determine this more accurately.)

Bearing in mind that every performance of a script will be different dependant upon the speed of the reading and acting, I can only offer a rough guidance:

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•  I would expect the script, including songs, to last approximately 25 minutes, although this will, of course, be reliant upon everything flowing in a calm, fully rehearsed way without delays to get actors in position etc.  Of course, the songs are optional so you can reduce or lengthen the performance time by omitting or altering the songs.
• If you choose to include the “The Nativity Roll Call Poem” allow up to 2 minutes, but recognise that this poem is different in length dependant on how many of your cast stand and say their line and how speedily and efficiently they do so!  The poem gives everyone in the cast the opportunity to bow and respond at the relevant point.
• If you choose to use the poem “The Full Christmas Story”  to round off the play allow  another minute.

All of the songs for the Children’s Nativity story play use familiar children’s tunes with very SIMPLE SONG WORDS to help to minimise rehearsals.

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

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star   (ie, Angels’ song called “Glory to our God on High”)

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)

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

For your convenience:

• THERE ARE NO LICENCE FEES TO PAY, (and I am happy to waive my own)
• SHEET MUSIC IS PROVIDED for IF you have a pianist
• PLUS INSTANTLY DOWNLOADABLE FREE MP3 BACKING TRACKS ARE INCLUDED  (great to rehearse to without a pianist and/ or use for the performance)

(Can be reduced or increased without changing script length as alternatives are offered for the narrator or other actors to say if you omit any parts.)

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If used as written it will include narrator (s) and 18 speakers, plus non-speaking extras and singers, as follows:

Narrator, 2 roman soldiers, Mary, Joseph, Donkey, shepherd 1, shepherd 2, shepherd 3, Angel Gabriel, innkeepers 1, 2, and 3,  , innkeeper’s wife 3, innkeeper 4,  star, kings 1, king 2, king 3, plus angels.

(All the parts in italics are non-crucial.  Other parts can be doubled up, and optional extra walk on parts can be included for cow, sheep, innkeepers wives 1, 2 and 4, Caesar, crowds of people at the inn, carol singers.)

My own expectation would be that a minimum cast of 10 would be preferable, although the smallest cast to date to use the script (to my knowledge) is 5!  The aim of all of my scripts is to be adaptable and flexible such that anyone is able to put on a nativity play, so cast size need not be an issue: just be inventive and, if all else fails, email me for some advice.

The Children’s Nativity Story simply tells the traditional nativity story using a narrator and lots of individual small speaking parts, so the only specific requirements to make use of the play effectively are:

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• The basic traditional nativity costumes  for Mary, Joseph, Donkey, Shepherd 1, Shepherd 2, Shepherd 3, Angel Gabriel, Innkeeper 1, Innkeeper 2, Innkeeper 3, Innkeeper’s wife 3, Innkeeper 4, Star, King 1, King 2, King 3, Roman Soldier 1, Roman Soldier 2, Angels  (All the parts in italics are non-crucial.  Other parts can be doubled up, and optional extra walk on parts can be included for cow, sheep, innkeepers wives 1, 2 and 4, Caesar, crowds of people at the inn, carol singers.)
• narrator(s)
• a cast of between 5 and 90 (according to the customers who have already used it) The script, if used exactly as written, includes 18 speaking parts, plus a narrator with 63 lines and angels to dance and sing.

THAT’S RIGHT…NO PIANIST REQUIRED, although sheet music is provided if you are fortunate enough to have one!

Click here to see a script preview to show how 

flexible and adaptable this script is.

Total value for money. These scripts really do work and it takes a lot of stress off the teacher and children – no matter what their difficulties may be.

Sue, The Brookfield School, Hereford 

(“Last years Nativity was such a success that I have bought 

the Grandpa’s Nativity Story script, please start writing next years!”)

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“The music really made it and I would have been lost without the music files as I do not play a musical instrument.  For our actual performance another teacher did play the keyboard and so having the sheet music was essential also.”

Mrs J O’Reilly, Scoil Maelruain Tallaght, Dublin Ireland

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“My preschool class of 5 and 6 year olds learned the words easily because of the rhyming pattern. The children are Finnish so the simple language was perfect for them”

Sally Kesälahti, Pre-school in Tampere, Finland

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Angela says:

AngelaI can GUARANTEE that there is a script to suit your school here.  My scripts have been used all over the world in pre-schools, special schools, primary schools, and even in schools where English is a second language.  Click here to see my customer testimonials for a true indication of how well they work.

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The Good News Nativity

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The Good News Nativity | Best Childrens NativityCOVID-19 Safe – Virtual Nativity Play

Are You Looking for a Social Distancing Solution for your Nativity Play?

Problem Solved, with my Good News Nativity Virtual Play!

Tells the traditional, bible based nativity story in a fun, modern and unique way, using…

Gentle humour,

Short, individually filmed, rhyming scenes, perfect for social distancing,

Pre-prepared autocues (no need to learn lines).

Just film the individual scenes in your safe space with a smart phone, tablet or webcam and edit them together, with the beginner friendly guidance that’s provided.

Click this link to go to the The Good News Nativity

That Wonderful God-given First Christmas Day

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That Wonderful God-given First Christmas Day | Best Childrens NativityRead the Christmas story from the bible. Enact each element alongside the bible readings in a simple but uniquely rhyming nativity play. Sing Christmas carols together.

The Perfect Nativity Service: Carols and a play! (As provided to and used by Action For Children and their supporters during 2016)

Click this link to go to That Wonderful God-given First Christmas Day

The Story Of Christmas

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The Story of Christmas | Best Children NativityThe Story Of Christmas tells the traditional, bible based nativity story, in a very simple way, with the narrator introducing each character with an obvious prompt of “This is the (angel) who…..” etc

The cast size is completely adaptable, requiring just Mary, Joseph and an Innkeeper, but with another 20 optional short speaking parts to make everyone feel special, plus a host of angels.

Click this link to go to The Story Of Christmas

Donkey’s Christmas Play

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Script Preview of the Donkey’s Christmas Play ScriptTells the traditional, bible based nativity story in a fun way, using

Lots of gentle humour and

Short, rhyming speaking parts (averaging 1 or 2 lines) to make everyone feel special.

Whilst flexible and adaptable and for smaller or larger cast sizes without altering the length, the script is written with 20 speaking parts (3 of which could be shared for a larger cast, but only 9 of which are necessary for a smaller cast)

The script is all held together with a rhyming narration, making last minute changes much easier to accommodate.

Click this link to go to the Donkey's Christmas Play page

The Alphabet Nativity

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The Alphabet Nativity PlayPerfect for special needs, including hearing impaired….

Tells the traditional, bible based nativity story using alphabetical keywords in the narration with actions being performed for the key words.

Includes two optional characters:

a)      an Action Superstar to demonstrate the actions as illustrated letters are displayed and

b)      a gently comedic Instructor to interact with the audience in a fun, family friendly ‘pantomime’ style

The script is so flexible and adaptable that there are no restrictions on the size or ability of the cast, so you are truly free to adapt and personalise it to suit your requirements.

Click this link to go to The Alphabet Nativity Play page

The DIY Nativity Play

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The DIY Nativity PlayTells the traditional, bible based nativity story in a hilarious, light-hearted way,

Using narration full of humour, sarcasm and mockery of the adult volunteers (all scripted in rhyme for the narrators to read…with attitude!)

Is a great way to bring young and old together in a nativity service with a difference.

Has a great message: WE ALL need to share the message of Jesus

The fact that the whole script is narrated makes it simple to recast in the event of illness or absence, so no last minute panics! (Can you tell I’ve done this before?!)

Click this link to go to The D I Y Nativity Play page

Simplest Nativity Play Ever

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The Simplest Nativity Play Ever…Tells the traditional, bible based nativity story, in a very simple way, using

Narration interspersed with obvious prompts for….

19 (optional) short, rhyming speaking parts (averaging 2 to 4 lines) to make everyone feel special.

Whilst flexible and adaptable for ANY SIZE CAST the script is written with 2 narrators (which can be shared and split into smaller parts as you choose), an instructor, and up to 19 (optional) speaking parts (any of which can be said by the narrator if preferred) and…

Its all held together with a rhyming narration

Click here to go to The Simplest Nativity Play Ever page

Baby Jesus Came To Town

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The Day that Baby Jesus Came to Town…A hilarious script throughout, older children and even teenagers particularly enjoy it as it…….

Tells the traditional, bible based nativity story in a fun way, using

Lots of humour , attitude and sarcasm

Short, rhyming speaking parts (averaging 2 to 4 lines) to make everyone feel special.

Whilst flexible and adaptable for ANY SIZE CAST(we used 9 and doubled up some parts), the script is written with 24 (many optional) speaking parts and…

Click this link to go to the The Day That Baby 

Jesus Came to Town nativity

Grandpa’s Nativity Story

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This Grandpa’s Nativity Play…….

The Grandpa’s Nativity StoryTells the traditional, bible based nativity in a fun way

Includes a ‘pantomime style’ villain in Herod

Is blended with the excitement of a modern Christmas Eve

Can (optionally) include Santa/ St Nicholas

Uses short, rhyming speaking parts (averaging 2 to 4 lines) to make everyone feel special.

Whilst flexible and adaptable for ANY SIZE CAST (smallest reported to date is 9, and the largest 150), the script is written with 22 speaking parts and….

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Click this link to go to the The Grandpa’s Nativity

Children’s Nativity Story

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Nativity Group Photo | Best Childrens NativityTells the traditional, bible based nativity story in a fun way, using

Lots of gentle humour and

Short, rhyming speaking parts (averaging 2 to 4 lines) to make everyone feel special.

Whilst flexible and adaptable for ANY SIZE CAST (smallest reported to date is 5, and the largest is a whole school), the script is written with 19 speaking parts and…

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Click this link to go to the 

Children's Nativity Story