The Story of Christmas

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

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.  However, if you prefer the biblical details to be absolutely accurate, my “Simplest Nativity Play Ever” will be the perfect alternative as it even refers to the house, and is every bit as adaptable as “The Story of Christmas”

Just £9.95, for an instantly downloadable customisable word document of the script, with an additional pdf copy, plus all of the printable script prompts for the script as it is written.  Finally, a name tag for every character included in the script is provided ready to print off on card to make the organisation/direction/costume allocation easier.

Traditional costumes are all that is required for each actor:

Mary, Joseph, Emperor Caesar, Roman Soldier, Donkey (can simply carry a hobby horse if preferred), 3 innkeepers, Angels, up to 6 shepherds, 3 kings, star (or simply carry a star on a stick).

However, if you choose to use audience members in their seats as part of the cast you do not necessarily have to give them costumes; it all depends on the overall effect that you are wanting to achieve.

Other parts:

Bible reader narrators and director could be dressed in everyday clothes, unless you choose to give them a specific outfit.

The optional sound effects person plays quite a comical role, so you might choose to play on this and use a suitably comic outfit giving a ‘jester’ appearance.

With a good, confident director and narrators, there is no need for a full rehearsal, but if you have the opportunity to rehearse, the play will of course have a more professional overall effect.  The director literally tells everyone, as part of the script, where to stand, and what to do, so being familiar with the script ahead of time will give the director the control to lead the play as it happens, without the need for a rehearsal 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:

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• Allow 20 minutes for the words of the script.
• Allow time for your choice of songs (usually 10 to 15 minutes in total)
• If you include the “Story of Christmas Roll Call Poem” allow 2 minutes.
• If you choose to use the poem “The Story of Jesus’s Birth” to round off the play allow 1 minute

• No songs are included but popular hymns/ carols are suggested for everyone to sing together rather than the children performing as part of the play.

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• Alternatively, use the children’s past favourite songs to keep things simple.
• If you need some simple songs, why not look at my other scripts too and mix and match.  I do not ask for a license fee for my songs so you are free to use them as often as you like with any script in future and I include simple mp3 tracking backs if you need them.

This script can include as many actors as you choose without altering the script length, as the narrator says lines that actors omit.  It is suitable for any age cast and ability, although the narrators must be confident readers, and the director needs to be a strong, confident person with the ability to act whilst scan reading the script and apparently (or actually) directing on stage.  It therefore lends itself perfectly to a mixed age cast, and even adults.

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If used as written it will include:

 Up to 21 speaking parts, these being Mary, Joseph, Donkey, 3 Innkeepers, Angel Gabriel, Angel (speaking to shepherds), 6 Shepherds, 3 Kings, Star, Emperor Caesar, Roman Soldier, Sound effects person. (The 14 speaking parts in italics can be fulfilled by audience members in their seats if you do not have enough cast members, or for a novel effect.)

• Narrator (s) with 76 lines to read, plus 12 optional lines
• an on-stage director. With 72 lines to ‘scan’ read as if they are checking the script whilst giving directions to the cast.
• a bible reader,
• a host of angels, (to dance and/or sing)
• and/or a voiceover

This is simply offered as a guide as the script is so adaptable (and I am available by email to offer suggestions to help) that no circumstances are unsurmountable

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• The basic traditional nativity costumes.  (See costumes below for further specifics)
• Ideally Mary, Joseph and an innkeeper as actors (although the script can be adapted to any scenario)
• Narrator(s)
• A director (gives rhyming instructions to the cast from on-stage.  Must be confident and a good ‘scan’ reader as they refer to the script throughout as if using it for directing instructions.  The director of the nativity itself can play this part if using the script for an unrehearsed/ audience participation performance)
• Ideally, a director’s chair (use a folding camping directors chair and simply stick a label to it stating “Director”
• 1 or 2 staging areas for acting, plus a separate area to build up the stable scene gradually as the play progresses.
• An optional extra cast of up to 20 who may choose to simply walk on, or to say their own lines, plus dancing angels.

‌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