Want a Simple Nativity Play?

Maybe you’d prefer the traditional bible based nativity story told with lots of gentle humour and adding a contemporary twist, again all in rhyme, including the narration which holds it all together, and interspersed with 6 simple songs (sheet music and mp3 backing tracks included)

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If so, click here to go to my CHILDREN’S NATIVITY STORY

Do you have a fun, family atmosphere in your church?  Older children?  Not many children?  Little opportunity to rehearse? 

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The hilarious and unique Do-It-Yourself Nativity Play invites people from the congregation to join in as the script progresses, all narrated and directed IN RHYME AND RHYTHM, and unashamedly mocking (via the script) the adult volunteers!  

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Sound like fun?

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If so, click here to go to THE DIY NATIVITY PLAY.

How about letting the narrator tell the story while an on-stage director gives instructions to the entire cast, all in rhyme as part of the script (making this possible to do without a rehearsal with a confident director!)

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The script, as it is written requires Mary, Joseph and an Innkeeper, but also has an additional 20 small optional speaking parts (each following obvious prompts such as “This is the angel who ………), plus 76 lines of narration, and 72 lines for the director (the director does not need to learn anything, but has the script on a clipboard and refers to it constantly as part of the director role, so he/she is able to scan read lines as if simply checking the script for the actors).

Printable script cards are included (plus ‘name tags’ for actors to hang around their necks to aid the director, if you are brave enough to do an impromptu nativity play without rehearsal!)  If any actors choose not to say their own lines, the script allows for a voice-over to say the lines on their behalf so that the script does not need reducing.  

Sound appealing?

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If so, click here to go to THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS.

Why not let the narrator tell the entire story and give the cast instructions, all in rhyme via the script (making this possible to do without a rehearsal!)?

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There are 19 small optional speaking parts (each following obvious prompts such as “The innkeeper said….), plus lots of narration to share as you choose, as well as an instructor giving the instructions to the actors if you have any.  

Printable script cards are included (plus ‘name tags’ for if you have a director brave enough to do an impromptu nativity play without rehearsal!)  If the actor doesn’t say it, the narrator does….

Do you fancy doing a simple nativity play?

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If so, click here to go to THE SIMPLEST NATIVITY PLAY EVER.

• Do you want to incorporate your nativity play into a nativity service, and all join in with some uplifting carol singing?  
• Do you want a simple but effective play, with the unique effect of rhyme in the storyteller’s part, as well as the actors’ lines.  
• Maybe rehearsals are difficult to achieve, or you prefer a ‘less performed’ approach, or would simply like less focus on the perfection of the performance and more on the biblical teaching?  
• How great would it be to have all of the appropriate bible readings included, not to mention all of the script prompt cards pre-prepared and ready to simply print off and distribute?
• Does a pre-prepared nativity service including the gentle innocence of a children’s nativity play, the joy of a good sing, and the teaching of the bible passages appeal to you?

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If so, click here to go to THAT WONDERFUL GOD-GIVEN FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY.

Do you need something even more Adaptable, Brilliantly Creative, Deliberately Easy and Flexible? Maybe, a script entirely narrated as an alphabet poem, with printable illustrated letters provided to be displayed at the appropriate moment, and actions suggested for all of the alphabetical keywords of the Christmas story, and no lines to learn. Something perfect for any cast, including special needs, or even pre-school children.

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Maybe you’d like some interaction with the audience and get them involved doing actions too? The concept of this script is so simple that you can accommodate any preference according to the ideas given throughout the rhyming script , which includes mp3 backing tracks and sheet music provided for 8 simple (optional) songs too.

Intrigued? If so, click here to go to my ALPHABET NATIVITY PLAY

Tells the traditional bible based story from the perspective of the donkey, feeling unnoticed and unremarkable until he realises by the end of the story that he had been chosen to carry God’s unborn son to the place of his birth, and that God had not only noticed him but had actually been with him all along and actually LOVES his humble life.

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Acted by a young child, the donkey can add a cute factor, or more of a comedic effect acted with attitude by an older child. The story is told with lots of gentle humour and short speaking parts, all held together with a rhyming narration and interspersed with 6 simple songs. Sound suitable for you?

If so, click here for more details of The Donkey’s Christmas Play

How about the gossiping innkeeper’s wife telling the traditional nativity story using her diary, with her somewhat downtrodden husband, and the narrator correcting her version of events from time to time!

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Mary also adds an extra touch of humour with her uniquely amusing dialogue with Joseph. (Older children and even teenagers particularly enjoy this nativity script, whilst younger children love the songs)  Again, this script includes sheet music and mp3 backing tracks to 6 simple songs.  Interested?

If so, click here for THE DAY THAT BABY JESUS CAME TO TOWN

Would you prefer the combination of a modern day Christmas Eve setting anticipating Santa (or St Nicholas), alongside a reminder of the traditional bible based nativity introduced by Grandpa as a bedtime story (and acted out in rhyme), with a hint of pantomime villain in Herod?  This script also includes sheet music and mp3 backing tracks for 5 songs. Like the sound of it?

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If so, click here to go to my GRANDPA’S NATIVITY STORY

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

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• Reduce or lengthen the script
• Add/ omit songs
• Add names and directions
• Print off your finished version, exactly representing your own personal nativity plans, and distribute copies as you choose.
• 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

I pride myself in making my scripts the best value for money around, so my ALPHABET NATIVITY PLAY  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

• Sheet music and mp3 backing tracks for 9 optional simple songs.
• Suggested actions to do when specific keywords are mentioned.
• Options and suggestions on ways to adapt and personalise the script.
• Helpful directing suggestions.
• Printable illustrated alphabet letters.
• Permission to re-use the script with NO LICENCE FEE TO PAY

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And wait, there’s more…….

I’VE SAVED THE BEST TILL LAST

The Alphabet Nativity Play tells the nativity story in rhyme and rhythm as an alphabet poem, stressing keywords in alphabetical order (eg,  An Angel appearing to Mary, the birth in Bethlehem as the Beginning of the story when a Census caused Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem on a Donkey, etc.)

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The perfect central positioning of the keywords in the alphabet stresses the message that ‘Jesus, King, Lord, and Messiah’ are at the very heart of the Nativity Story, and that Jesus’s birth gave us a ‘New beginning’.  Interwoven into the play is the message that Jesus’s birth was part of God’s plan, including Jesus’s crucifixion.  Finally, the play is rounded off with a poem which asks the questions “Why did God send Jesus to earth?” and “have you left baby Jesus simply sleeping in the hay?”

Just £9.95, for an instantly downloadable pdf document of the script, including sheet music, downloadable mp3 backing tracks of the music, and a set of the 26 illustrated alphabetical keywords ready to print off.

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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 and customising your script, and distributing lines etc

This script can be performed without any actors and therefore requires no special costumes; simply a narrator, instructor, action superstar and person to display the letters.  Each of these can be dressed in everyday clothes, unless you choose to give them a specific outfit.

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However, if you choose to include actors, you will simply require the traditional nativity costumes for any of the characters that you include as walk on parts, these being :

Angel Gabriel, Caesar, Soldier, Mary, Joseph, Donkey, Innkeepers, Shepherds, Angels, Kings, Star, King Herod

The script requires minimal rehearsal, as the script is entirely narrated, so there is no memorising of the script necessary, with the exception of the ‘Instructor’ (if you choose to include this part) who speaks directly to the audience on 4 separate occasions, saying 2 short rhyming lines each time.  The effectiveness of this script is more about timing, so this is the element of the script that would need to be rehearsed.  Therefore, these are the considerations to pay attention to when planning what rehearsals you will require:

The narrator will need to be a confident reader, but also someone who is capable of paying attention to the timing of the actions and the display of the illustrated alphabet letters whilst they read, to ensure that the play runs smoothly.

• The person(s) displaying the letters need to pay attention throughout the narration, and know when to display the keyword.  This is trickier than it might first seem, so it is easier to have one person following the script and then holding the letter up for a second person to place at the right moment. (The script has grey highlights to make it instantly noticeable when the letters are displayed to avoid damaging the flow of the script)
• The songs are very simple (if you choose to include them) and should be very easy to remember, but can be interchanged with your own familiar favourites if preferred, to minimise the need for rehearsal.  If you choose to use my songs, pay attention to the opportunities offered and sometimes specifically mentioned within the script for solo lines, or for acting during the songs.  Again, this would require extra rehearsal.
• You may choose to have children miming the story as it is narrated: this would, of course, take some rehearsal although the acting would be simple, walk on parts.
• The ‘Action Superstar’ needs to be familiar with hearing the script and specifically the keywords and the actions for them, as they will be demonstrating the actions to the audience as the script is read.  However, the actions are deliberately simple and flow together, and also the illustrations on the letters that are displayed act as a reminder of the keyword itself.
• If you have a whole class of children doing the actions to the keywords, they will need a short rehearsal to familiarise themselves with the actions.  Alternatively, the ‘Action Superstar’ could be relied on to simply copy, avoiding the needed for a full rehearsal.

In short, if the Narrator (s), Instructor, Action Superstar and letter displayers are individually familiar with their script, and manage the timing well they can minimise the need for a full rehearsal, regardless of how many extra elements you add into the script AS LONG AS EVERYONE WHO IS PARTICIPATING LISTENS CAREFULLY THROUGHOUT!

Bearing in mind that every performance of a script will be different dependant upon the speed of the reading and acting, I have tried to offer a rough suggestion of the timing to expect for each element of the nativity play to give a guide as you adapt the script for your purposes:

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• Allow 10 minutes for the words of the script.
• The 9 songs are all short and simple.  Allow a MINIMUM of 8 minutes 35 seconds for the backing tracks of the songs as recorded and included with the script.
• If you include actors, allow for pauses in the script.
• Allow extra time for the pauses as the alphabet letters are put up. (As a guide, we had 1 person passing and another pegging them up on the washing line, and it tended to add 20 seconds per letter, making an allowance of up to 8 minutes to display the 26 letters!  You can, of course, fine tune this as you choose.
• If you include the “The Alphabet Nativity Roll Call Poem” allow 2 minutes. (All of the cast get an opportunity to bow and respond at the relevant point in the poem)
• If you choose to use the poem “The Christmas Story Alphabet” to round off the play allow 1 and a half minutes.  (This is a great, fun ending to the play, getting all of the audience on their feet to join in with the actions at speed!)

The Alphabet Nativity Play is the ultimate script for flexibility, so it can be performed without any songs, or using your own choice of song, or maybe even using carols for the audience to join in.  However, for your ease I have included 9 optional short songs with easily remembered, repetitive lyrics sung to familiar children’s tunes as follows:

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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’)
• Rockabye Jesus (to the tune of Rock-a-bye Baby)
• Hurry, Hurry, Off You Go (To the tune of ‘Horsey, Horsey’)
• We are Looking For a Baby (To the tune of ‘What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor’)
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (the original)
• 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

Some simple mp3 backing tracks are provided in case you do not have any musicians, and sheet music is included at the end of the script if you prefer to accompany the children on the piano or guitar.  I would consider the songs more suited to younger children by nature of their deliberate simplicity and repetitive style, and several of the songs last just half a minute if you use the backing tracks provided. (see timings below for specifics)

This script is so simple and adaptable that it will work for any age, ability or size of cast and is especially well suited for special needs.  The basic cast requirement is:

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• Narrator(s), with 116 lines to read, plus 8 optional
• 1 or preferably 2 people to peg/ blue tack the alphabet pictures up (or you may choose to have one child do each individual letter)

The following optional recommendations of the script aim to add more interest, complexity and involvement, so you can choose what you are able to include according to your circumstances.  (From my experience of using the script I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND including the Instructor for a fun interactive element with the audience, and the Action Superstar works brilliantly with the idea of getting the audience to participate with the actions in the recap poem at the end of the script)

• An ‘Instructor’ (talks to the audience and holds up signs for them to read aloud)
• An ‘Action Superstar’ who demonstrates the actions to the 26 keywords mentioned in the narration
• Children to do the actions to the keywords: this can be instead of or as well as an Action Superstar who could lead a whole class in doing the actions.
• Actors to mime any or all of the following roles as their part of the story is narrated:  Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Donkey, Caesar, Soldier, innkeepers, angels, shepherds, King Herod, Kings, Star. (No-one has any lines to say)
• Singers (there are 9 optional short songs which lend themselves to including solo parts, and even acting within the songs.  Just be inventive and have fun!)

THE minimum CAST:  

• 1 Narrator
• 1 person to peg/ blue tack the letters up
• ANY other number of participants (see below for ideas)

 Additional Options (I definitely recommend using the Instructor and Action Superstar for a uniquely interactive and fun nativity, with ‘audience participation’)

Despite being written as a simple nativity play, if you would like to have more complexity, or a larger cast the script would also provide parts for:

• More narrators (share the script as preferred)
• An optional “Instructor” (interacts with the audience and holds signs up for the audience to say.)
• An optional “Action Superstar” (to demonstrate the actions to the 26 keywords mentioned in the narration)
• Actors (traditional nativity costumes required) to mime the story as it is told.
• Dancing or singing angels (Use the shepherds on the hillside scene to include something of your own choice)
• Singers (optional opportunities provided to include small solos for angel, shepherds, and innkeeper.) 
• Children to do the suggested actions of the key words mentioned for each letter of the alphabet.
• A pianist or guitarist to play the songs using the sheet music provided, but backing music is also provided as mp3 files if you would prefer.

 RESOURCES REQUIRED:

• 2 washing lines, each long enough to hang 13 portrait sheets of A4 paper (at least 3 metres long each) and  space to hang the 2 washing lines up and peg 13 letters on each of them.
• OR space to blue tack the 26 illustrated letters when the keyword is mentioned
• 26 A4 sized illustrated alphabet letters (print off the pre-prepared document named “Alphabet Letters” which is included with your script)

Click here to see a script preview to show how 

flexible and adaptable this script is.

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