(60-Minute Christmas Program for Preschool–5th Grade)

Happy Birthday, Jesus is a joyful, funny, and heartwarming Christmas program created especially for younger children—preschool through elementary age—who want to participate in a Christmas play without memorizing long or complicated lines. Perfect for children’s church, Sunday school programs, and small congregations, this 60-minute drama lets kids shine while keeping the message simple and Christ-centered.

The play follows a group of children preparing a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party. But one enthusiastic child hilariously misunderstands almost every instruction—decorating the table with presents for herself, setting up a sideways Christmas tree, and panicking when she finds out the birthday boy is the Son of God! The misunderstandings create gentle comedy that children and adults alike will enjoy, while a narrator (pastor’s wife, teacher, or leader) guides the story from Scripture and helps the children understand the true meaning of Jesus’ birth.

As the play unfolds, kids learn beautiful truths about Christmas:

• Jesus is the Light of the World

• Christmas is about giving, not getting

• God loves us even when our decorations—and our hearts—are crooked

• Serving others is a gift to Jesus

• His birthday is worth celebrating with joy

The script is extremely easy to stage with simple props: a small manger area, a decorated table, a few inexpensive costumes, and optional battery candles. Children speak in short, easy lines, making the performance ideal for young actors or groups with limited rehearsal time.

Product Features

• Length: 60 minutes

• Cast: 6–8 children (flexible roles)

• Best For: Preschool–5th grade, small churches, children’s ministry

• Setting: Traditional manger scene or decorated stage

• Tone: Gentle comedy + heartfelt biblical teaching

• Extras: Optional carols, candle moment, giving activity, and audience blessing

Why Churches Love It

• Simple enough for little kids

• Laugh-out-loud misunderstandings that delight families

• Clear, tender teaching woven through the scenes

• Minimal set, minimal costumes, maximum joy

• A perfect option for small congregations who want a beautiful, meaningful Christmas program without complicated memorization

Happy Birthday, Jesus is a delightful reminder that even the simplest celebration can honor the Savior. Children will love performing it—and your congregation will love watching it.

Happy Birthday, Jesus: A Children’s Christmas Comedy

Length: ~60 minutes 

Cast: 6–8 speaking roles + optional non-speaking parts

Best for: Preschool–5th grade, children’s church, small congregations

Recommended Set: Traditional manger scene or simple decorated “front lawn” / church stage with a party table

CAST OF CHARACTERS

• NARRATOR / TEACHER – An adult (or older teen) who reads most of the lines and guides the children. Calm, warm, and patient.

• EMMA – The child who misunderstands everything. Excited, dramatic, very expressive.

• LUCAS – Helpful, tries to follow directions. Slightly serious but kind.

• MIA – Creative, loves decorating and singing. Enthusiastic.

• JAYDEN – Funny, sometimes confused, loves snacks.

• PRESCHOOLER 1 & 2 (optional) – Can be “Little Angels” or “Little Helpers” with very short or repeated lines.

• PASTOR’S WIFE / CHILDREN’S LEADER (optional role) – Can share or split the NARRATOR lines if you want two adults.

You can easily rename characters or combine roles to fit your group.

SET & PROPS

Stage Areas:

1. Party Area (front lawn or fellowship hall look)

• A table with a cloth

• Paper plates, cups, napkins

• Balloons, streamers, plastic confetti

• A banner that says: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!” (or it can be added mid-play)

2. Manger Scene Area (one side or center stage)

• Simple stable backdrop or manger

• Straw or brown cloth

• Doll for Baby Jesus

• Costumes for Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, angels (very simple: bathrobes, scarves, paper crowns, etc.)

Props:

• Wrapped empty boxes (gifts)

• Small toy or gift bag Emma thinks is for herself

• A small Christmas tree (can be obviously crooked or leaning)

• A star (paper or cardboard) that a younger child can hold

• Birthday cake (real or fake), or a box labeled “CAKE”

• Plastic candles (or battery candles)

• Advent-style candle(s) if you want to work that in

• One small Bible or storybook (for the Narrator)

NOTES FOR DIRECTOR

• Children do very short lines.

• The NARRATOR reads almost everything, prompting kids with simple cues like:

• “Everyone say: ‘Happy birthday, Jesus!’”

• “Emma, can you say: ‘Wait… the Son of God?!’”

• Feel free to ad-lib or shorten lines depending on your kids.

• Carols can be added between scenes so kids can move to the manger set:

• “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

• “Away in a Manger”

• “Silent Night”

• “Joy to the World”