A 30-Minute Christmas Comedy for Small Churches

When everything goes wrong, grace shows up.

In Mrs. Matthews Saves the Christmas Program, your congregation gets a front-row seat to pure, delightful church chaos: the choir director is sick, the narrator is missing, one shepherd is literally asleep in the pew, and half the volunteers forgot they signed up. With only a few kids, a handful of adults, some bathrobes, a doll, and a very serious 5-year-old holding a cardboard star, Mrs. Matthews somehow pulls together a last-minute nativity that turns out more honest, heartfelt, and beautiful than anything she planned.

This warm, funny script is perfect for small churches with limited volunteers. It blends backstage comedy with a simple reenactment of the nativity, using straight-from-Scripture narration and easy staging. As the mishaps unfold, the church is gently reminded that Christmas has never been about perfect programs—only about a perfect Savior who meets us in our mess.

Product Details

• Title: Mrs. Matthews Saves the Christmas Program

• Length: ~30 minutes

• Cast Size: 6–10 actors (flexible; mix of kids, teens, and adults)

• Best For: Small churches, family services, Sunday school programs

• Setting: Church fellowship hall + simple stable/manger scene

• Tone: Light comedy with heartfelt, worshipful moments

• Themes: God’s presence in our imperfections, the heart of the nativity, serving with what you have

Why You’ll Love It

• Designed for limited volunteers and simple costumes (bathrobes, shawls, paper crowns).

• Built-in roles for both kids and adults, with flexible casting options.

• Includes both backstage humor and a reverent nativity scene centered on Jesus.

• Easy to pair with classic carols and Advent candle lighting.

• Leaves your congregation encouraged: God can use sleepy shepherds, missing volunteers, and last-minute plans to tell a timeless story of love.

Mrs. Matthews Saves the Christmas Program

Length: ~30 minutes

Cast: 6–10 actors (flexible)

Best for: Small churches with few volunteers

Set: Church fellowship hall + simple stable scene

CAST OF CHARACTERS

• Mrs. Matthews – Beloved but frazzled Sunday school teacher. Organized in theory, overwhelmed in reality. Loves the kids and the Christmas story deeply.

• Pastor Dan – Friendly, slightly scattered pastor. Tries to stay calm while everything falls apart.

• Emma – Responsible older child/teen (11–15). Thoughtful, organized, becomes the surprise narrator.

• Tyler – Goofy preteen/teen (10–14). Loves jokes, not great with schedules, keeps things light.

• Grace – Older child (9–13). Shy but sincere. Ends up playing Mary.

• Micah – Child (8–12). Good-hearted, easily distracted. Ends up as Joseph and also “sleepy shepherd.”

• Lily – Young child (4–7). Very serious about her job as “the star.” Holds a star at key moments.

• Mr. Jenkins – Older church member/usher/janitor. Gruff on the outside, tender inside. Drafted as Innkeeper / Wise Man.

• Optional additional kids: Angel 1, Angel 2, Extra Shepherds, Extra Wise Men
  (These can be filled by however many kids you have.)

SET & PROPS

Scene 1–2 (Fellowship Hall / Backstage):

• Folding chairs, a table with scattered papers, crayons, maybe cookies.

• A box or laundry basket with random “costume” items:

• Bathrobes (for shepherds)

• A scarf or shawl (for Mary)

• Cardboard crowns (for Wise Men)

• Clip-on halo or tinsel (for angel)

• A small Christmas tree or church decorations in the background.

• A sparkly star on a stick or cardboard star for Lily.

Scene 3–4 (Stable Scene / Sanctuary Corner):

• Simple manger or basket with a doll for baby Jesus.

• A bale of hay or brown blanket for “hay.”

• A simple backdrop: fabric draped or cardboard “stable.”

• The Advent wreath or candle stand (if your church wants to light candles during skit).