The Birthday Party for Jesus is a 30-minute children’s Christmas play that turns your church or school program into a joyful birthday celebration for Jesus. Designed for 14–20 actors, it follows a lively group of kids as they plan a birthday party for Jesus, hold silly “casting calls” for Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and wise men, and then perform a simple nativity right in the middle of the party.

As they prepare a cake, decorations, and pretend presents, the children slowly discover that the best gift they can bring Jesus isn’t something wrapped—it’s their hearts, worship, and obedience. The play ends with a powerful moment as they decide not to cut the cake right away, choosing instead to celebrate through worship and retelling the story of Christ’s birth.

Key Features

• Length: ~30 minutes (flexible with music)

• Cast Size: 14–20 children (easily expandable with choir & extra party guests)

• Style: Light-hearted, interactive, and easy to perform

• Theme: Birthday party for Jesus + simple nativity reenactment

• Age Range: Ideal for younger children and primary school students

• Music-Friendly: Includes multiple spots for children’s choir songs and carols

• Easy Staging: Classroom/party setting plus a simple nativity corner

• Gospel-Centered: Clearly presents Jesus as Savior and the true meaning of Christmas

Perfect for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Christmas morning services, this script works beautifully for churches and Christian schools looking for a fun, kid-friendly program that still keeps the focus on Christ.

Promotion idea: Feature it in a “Buy 2, Get 3 Free” Christmas play bundle for children’s ministries building a seasonal library of scripts.

The Birthday Party for Jesus

A Children’s Christmas Play 

©2025 Godsverse.org. All rights reserved

Genre

Children’s Christmas Play / Church Program / Birthday Party Theme

Length

~30 minutes 

Cast Size

14–20 actors 

Cast of Characters

• Narrator – Warm, friendly, guides the story and speaks to the audience.

• Miss GRACE – Children’s ministry leader / teacher, gentle but a little scattered.

• LUCAS – Practical boy, likes plans, lists, and making things “just right.”

• MIA – Excited, big imagination, loves decorations and crafts.

• ELLA – Thoughtful, loves Bible stories and asks good questions.

• NOAH – Funny, loves jokes and snacks, always thinking about food.

• SOPHIA – Musical, helps lead songs with the choir.

• JAYDEN – Shy but brave, later plays Joseph.

• CHLOE – Kind-hearted, later plays Mary.

• GABRIEL – Child who plays Angel Gabriel in the nativity part.

• SHEPHERD 1 & SHEPHERD 2 – Curious, playful.

• WISE MAN 1, WISE MAN 2, WISE MAN 3 – A bit dramatic, love props and “fancy” things.

• INNKEEPER – Funny, slightly overwhelmed.

• CHOIR CHILDREN (4–8 kids) – Can double as party guests, angels, shepherds as needed.

• EXTRA PARTY GUESTS – Optional roles to expand cast.

Note: Many roles can be doubled. For small churches, one child may play a modern “kid” in the first half and then a nativity character in the second half.

Setting & Simple Props

• Main Setting: Church fellowship hall or Sunday school classroom decorated for a birthday party.

• A banner that says: “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”

• Balloons, simple garlands, a small table with paper plates, cups, wrapped “gifts.”

• A small, uncut birthday cake on a table covered with a cloth (only revealed later).

• Nativity Corner: One side of the stage or platform holds simple nativity props:

• Manger (can be a decorated box with straw or fabric)

• Baby doll wrapped as baby Jesus

• Simple robes, scarves, a star cutout on the wall

• Toy or cardboard “treasure boxes” for wise men

• A wooden stick or staff for shepherds

• Casting Call Table: A clipboard, paper, and marker for Miss Grace.

Structure

• Part 1: Planning the Party & Casting Calls

• Part 2: Rehearsing the Nativity at the Party

• Part 3: The Birthday Moment & The Best Gift