Length: ~45 minutes

Cast: Flexible, 6–12 actors (plus readers, extras)

Best for: Sunday school, small congregations, elementary-aged children

Set: Simple interior / traditional manger scene

CAST (FLEXIBLE)

You can combine or split these roles depending on how many children you have.

Main Roles (suggested):

• NARRATOR 1 – reads Scripture references and short explanations

• NARRATOR 2 – can share readings with Narrator 1

• MARY

• JOSEPH

• ANGEL GABRIEL

• HEAD ANGEL (or ANGEL 2 – can double as Gabriel if needed)

• ANGELS (2–6 children, as many as you like)

• SHEPHERD 1, SHEPHERD 2, SHEPHERD 3 (or more)

• INNKEEPER

• WISE MAN 1, WISE MAN 2, WISE MAN 3

• HEROD (optional; can be played very simply)

• STAR BEARER (a child holding a star on a stick, or someone controlling a star prop)

• WORSHIP LEADER / SONG LEADER (adult or older child)

You do not have to use all of these roles. You can:

• Combine Narrator 1 & 2 into one NARRATOR

• Use only 1–2 Wise Men

• Have 1 Innkeeper / “No Room” person

• Let angels and shepherds double as townspeople or choir

SET & PROPS

Set (very simple):

• One side of the stage: Nazareth / generic home (small table, stool, maybe a clay-style pitcher or basket)

• Middle: Road area (for travel scenes)

• Other side: Bethlehem / stable (manger, hay bale, a few simple props)

Props (optional but helpful):

• Cloths for costumes (robes, scarves, shawls)

• Simple wings and halos for angels

• Staffs for shepherds (pool noodles, cardboard tubes, etc.)

• Boxes or bags for wise men’s gifts

• Paper star on a stick for STAR BEARER

• A doll for baby Jesus

• Advent candles or a single “Christ candle” for the end

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCRIPTURE

This play is designed so the Bible is central.

Instead of printing long Bible passages in the script, you can:

• Have Narrators read directly from your favorite translation (KJV, NIV, etc.)

• Or have children / adults assigned as Scripture Readers stand at a microphone and read the verses while the actors silently pantomime.

In the script below, Bible moments are written like this:

(Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1–7)

You can choose which translation to read from.