The Good News Nativity

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

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

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

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• Reduce or lengthen the script
• Add/ omit songs and/or other elements
• Add names and directions
• Print off your finished version, exactly representing your 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

The pdf version is also included for your convenience.

I pride myself in making my scripts the best value for money around, so my The Story of Christmas can be downloaded instantly to your computer (as a word document) for the special low price of just £9.95.

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For this one time investment you will receive:

• A diagram of an example layout of the way that the script was used in Angela’s home church.
• Options and suggestions on ways to adapt and personalise the script.
• Helpful directing suggestions (even considering details like passing a microphone around)
• Pre-prepared script prompt cards ready to print off and distribute to the cast.
• Permission to re-use the script with NO LICENCE TO PAY.

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And wait, there’s more…….

I’VE SAVED THE BEST TILL LAST

Having used this concept myself with absolutely no experience I found ways to achieve everything WITHOUT ANY PAID SOFTWARE.  If you already have your own editing software that you are familiar with, just check that the green screen facility is available to you as it is often a paid upgrade on many free editing programmes.  Otherwise, this is how I did everything:

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I downloaded and used OpenShot (www.openshot.org) which is a free Opensource video editor with capability to scale up and down, crop, rotate, pan and zoom, transition effects between shots, add music, remove audio, clip films, layer films together, blur, add credits, do green screen…literally anything I found that I wanted to do.  There are lots of quick and easy YouTube tutorials for specific guidance, and I have included all the links that I used.

I collected videos from people using www.wetransfer.com which is free to use to send up to 2gb (this is plenty for your filming) with no membership required by the sender or receiver.  All you need is an email address each to send and receive.

All the specific guidance that you need is included in the package.

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Click here to see a see the first scene and see for yourself how flexible and adaptable this script is.

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The Good News Nativity Play tells the biblical story of Jesus’ birth and mixes it with the modern style of today’s news presenting.

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Whilst the nativity play simply retells the story, included with the script is a poem entitled “God of Humility” which highlights the humble way that God chose to bring His son into the world, and emphasises His love and encouragement of humility and grace.

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Because of the uniquely difficult year that the pandemic has caused, I want to make this affordable for everyone so, at JUST £15 for the ENTIRE instantly downloadable, beginner friendly package, this is my gift to you.  There are no hidden extra costs, or improvement upgrades, just incredible value with absolutely everything included!

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Even the professional composer gave his time and talent freely because we want to

RAISE MORAL and FUNDS for

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice

https://www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk

who will recieve

50% of EVERY PURCHASE  

Please help us to make a difference to children with life limiting illnesses and their families

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Costumes

Very few are required, and those that are can be created from everyday things around the house (Eg, a king could wear a satin dressingown, a bridesmaids dress or evening dress, a wrap or poncho, a princess fancy dress etc.  Accessorise with some bling, a headress/tiara, a homemade crown or even a cracker crown. )

• 5 studio presenters (2 main presenters on sofa, business, travel and weather presenters)
• 2 reporters (at the scene, so coats etc would even work fine)
• Mary
• Joseph
• Angel Gabriel
• 3 Shepherds
• 3 kings

Props (a few specific examples)

• Frankincence and myrrh can just be scent bottles, or a fancy bowl
• Gold; a trinket box, or just a gold coloured cardboard box, or maybe just a bejewelled box of some kind that looks luxurious; poetic licence is fine!
• walking stick and toy lamb for the shepherds
• a doll (or real baby!) for Mary
• YOU DONT NEED A MICROPHONE : A GREEN SCREEN IMAGE IS INCLUDED so this doen’t need to be held.  It would be better for consistency not to use your own for filming; the editing will be easier using the superimposed image.
• YOU DON’T NEED A MANGER: A GREEN SCREEN IMAGE IS INCLUDED so even if you choose to just film in a normal setting without using the green screen images, the authentic looking manger can be superimposed into the foreground of your filming. if you choose.

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None required!

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• Even if you were to perform this script live rather than film it all, there is no rehearsal required as all of the ‘studio’ presenters can use the preprepared autocue , which simply adds to the realism.  The filmed ‘big screen’ moments can be read from autocues too when they are filmed, so there is no rehearsal time required, just a basic familiarity with what is happening in terms of each person’s cue.

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I always aim for 25 minutes as an overall  guide, but make my scripts entirely adaptable so the following breakdown will give you a feel for how you can achieve the time that best suits your needs.  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, but as there are none of the logistics of a live performance, I expect that my read through will provide fairly accurate timings…

• Having smoothly read through the scripted lines  (ie, no transitions) the actors words take 10 minutes
• Plus another 40 seconds for the 3 optional scenes that are required to link to a break.
• An ‘advert break’ can take as long as you choose; you may get creative and make up some fun adverts, or incorporate messages to loved ones, or carols from YouTube etc, so this is completely adaptable to suit your needs
• An optional pre-recorded ‘Greeting from the Author’ poem lasts 1 minute 16
• I have pre-recorded an optional ‘prayerful summing up of the message’ poem called “God of Humility”, which lasts 1 minute 57 seconds (you can read this yourself if you prefer)
• If you choose to include the “The Nativity Roll Call Poem” allow 2 to 3 minutes.  This is my trademark ending where everyone has an opportunity to take a bow individually.  A read through of the words (if every character is included) takes exactly 2 minutes , but this will vary dependant on how many cast are included,.  Even transitions can add on a minute when there are so many separate short rhyming couplets to link smoothly.
• Variable Musical elements:    There is an opportunity for Mary to sing a lullaby, and for someone to sing or play for a musical interlude.  there are also natural opportunities to include carols if you choose to veer from the strict  format of ‘Daytime Show’ to give it a nativity service feel
• Music for the opening titles, closing credits and lead into and from the break is provided (and recommended to give your nativity play some authenticity), and in total, these specially composed pieces add another 2 minutes 48 seconds

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• No songs/ music are included with this script, but suggestions are made.  This aspect of your nativity play is entirely up to you so, for example, you may choose to use carols from YouTube, or for Mary to sing a lullably to the baby Jesus, or for someone to sing a Christmas solo as the musical interlude etc.

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As the whole thing is recorded and edited together one person could even do the entire play alone.  Using the green screen facility makes it possible to put multiple recordings into the same setting.  It could be a fun way to spend time in isolation!

If used as written, it will include 16 parts (remember that it’s highly adaptable), those being as follows:

5 studio presenters (2 on the sofa, a business presenter, a travel presenter, and a weather presenter), 2 reporters (at the scene), 3 Kings, 3 Shepherds, Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph.

The story does not include Mary and Joseph’s journey, so the usual innkeepers and donkey are not required.

Plus options for dancing angels, a star, singers, advert breaks etc

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Each small speaking part can therefore be filmed individually in a safe space,  using anything suitable to hand, and let film effects do the rest…

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• Costumes… nothing fancy : can be anything you find around the home, so just be inventive.

If you choose to organise costumes and use the default version of the script, these are the ones you’ll need:   2 Studio presenters, (unless you use the pre-recorded scenes), 3 presenters (Business, travel and weather news), 2 reporters, 3 shepherds, 3 kings, Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph  (The script is highly adaptable so you have the ability to reduce the cast without reducing the play.)

• Props: Again just find things around teh home (Frankincense and myrrh just require some kind of scent bottle).
• A means of filming: a smartphone is ideal, or a tablet or webcam
• A computer with internet (and someone who is prepared to edit the scenes together!)
• A  ‘green screen’ equivalent background (unless you choose to use your own settings)

There’s no need to buy a special green screen as the following homemade alternatives will work, so long as they are a plain consistent colour that is not in the footage that you are filming (Remember clothes and skin colour).  Ideally it should be a deep primary colour, hence green is the natural default because it occurs less in the every day basic focal point of a shot…

A plain painted feature wall or even a large piece of painted paper or card

A plain bed sheet hung on the wall or washing line (avoid creases/ shadows/ light patches shining through)

I found the ideal size for a landscape shot to be 1.8 metres wide, but so long as you stay within the boundary of your greenscreen a small shot can be edited into a larger one; you don’t need to fill a landscape shot: the editing software will allow you to zoom in and out and to place several films together

THAT’S RIGHT…NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, PAID SOFTWARE OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.  As with all things, practice will speed up the process, but the YouTube tutorials walk you through the process in a simple, visual, beginner friendly way.  Honestly, I literally have done all this from home without any experience so YOU CAN DO IT!

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Click here to see a large preview of the script.  The colour coding matches with the Powerpoint autocues, and the images match with those included in the package.

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