A Brand New Star

By Freddie Green

Summary

A very simple traditional Musical Nativity Play for children. Suitable for children 5-13 and special needs pupils.
Note: The full script is included here, including lyrics. It may be used free of charge as is. However, a director's script, CD and sheet music can be ordered from the author for a small fee. Details at the foot of the script.

Characters

Mary
Joseph
Messenger
Angel 1
Angel 2
Angel 3
Angel 4
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Shepherd 3
Shepherd 4
Herod
3 Wise Men
Children bearing gifts

Script

Narrator: A long time ago in a town called Nazareth there lived a young woman called Mary and a young carpenter called Joseph. They loved each other very much and Mary was expecting a baby.
(Enter Mary and Joseph, walking across stage. Mary sits on stool. Joseph exits)
Narrator: One day an angel appeared to Mary.
(Enter angel, standing in front of Mary)
Angel 1: Mary, you are the chosen one. Soon you will have a baby boy. He will be very special. He will be the Son of God and you must call him Jesus. (Exit angel and Mary)
Narrator: Soon after the angel’s visit, Herod, the ruler of the land, gave an order.
(Enter messenger)
Messenger: By order of the emperor, everyone must return to the place they were born to pay a special tax. (Exit messenger)
Narrator: Joseph was worried. He was born in a place called Bethlehem. It was a long way away and Mary’s baby was due any time. Joseph and Mary knew they had to go and they prepared for the journey.
(Enter Joseph and Mary preparing things)
************   SONG 1: MARY, WE HAVE TO MAKE A JOURNEY *****************
Narrator: Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey, with Joseph walking by her side. Remember, Mary was about to have a baby, so it was a very long dangerous journey. Mary and Joseph were very grateful to their faithful donkey who carried Mary so bravely and so carefully.
************** SONG 2 YOU ARE A FRIEND, GENTLE DONKEY *************
Narrator: It took many days to reach Bethlehem. When they arrived, Mary was very tired. They needed to find somewhere to stay, but the town was crowded with lots of other travellers and every inn they went to was full.
************** SONG 3 LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO STAY *****************
Narrator: Eventually, seeing how tired they both looked, one kind innkeeper took pity on them.
(Enter Inn Keeper)
Inn Keeper: I have no room at the inn but you can stay in the stable where I keep my animals. It is dry and warm. Mary and Joseph thanked him and were shown to the stable. (Mary, Joseph and inn keeper walk across stage going out of one door and in the other. Meanwhile, the stage is set for stable e.g. manger and stools are put on stage)
Narrator: During the night Mary gave birth to Jesus. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger full of hay.
(Mary cuddles baby, wraps him in cloth and then places him in the manger)
(Enter shepherds watching sheep - other side of stage)
Narrator: Nearby on a hillside overlooking the town some shepherds were watching over their sheep. As they did so a very bright light came into the sky. (Enter angel) The light was an angel sent by God.
Angel 2: Do not to be afraid I have good news. The Son of God has been born. You will find him in a stable in Bethlehem.
******************** SONG 4: THERE WERE SHEPHERDS *********************
(Exit angel)
Narrator: The shepherds were excited and went to Bethlehem to find Jesus. (Shepherds exit stage, walk round, and enter other side) When they found Jesus they were filled with joy. They told Mary and Joseph about the angel in the sky.
Shepherd 1: This must be the Son of God.
Shepherd 2: The angel told us he will be the saviour of the world.
(Enter Wise men -other side of stage- pointing at a star)
Narrator: A long way away in the East three wise kings who studied the stars saw a new very bright star shining in the sky. They knew that this meant a great ruler had been born.
**************SONG 5: BRAND NEW STAR ***********
Narrator: The three wise men decided to go and find the baby. Thinking that the baby King would be in the palace they went to see King Herod.
(Wise men knock on door of the palace, bow and enter the palace)
Wise men: We have come to see the new king of the Jews
Herod: (Angrily) New King? You tell me there’s a new King? What do you mean? (Aside) This is terrible news. I am the King! (to Wise men) There is no new king here. Please go and find him and then return to tell me where he is so that I may also honour him and bring him gifts. (Wise Men bow and exit)
Narrator: Although Herod had told the wise men he wanted to take gifts to the new born king he was really angry as he thought that this new king might take away his throne. At night, he had bad dreams. He was so worried and jealous about the arrival of the new king.
******************SONG 6: SOMETHING ON MY MIND **********************
Narrator: The wise men followed the star to the stable in Bethlehem. They found Jesus lying in a manger. They gave him gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
*************      SONG 7: THREE KINGS’ SONG *********************
Narrator: Mary and Joseph were proud of their baby boy. All through the night, local people visited the baby with small gifts and presents. (Children bearing gifts enter, and stay on the stage)
************** SONG 8:    SLEEP, WONDERFUL BABY *****************
Narrator: That night, while everyone was sleeping, the three wise men each had the same dream.
(Enter Angel 3)
Angel 3: Do not to return to Herod and do not tell him where Jesus is. Herod is jealous. He wants to kill Jesus. (Exit angel)
Narrator: The next day the Wise men returned to their own country without visiting Herod. Soon after they left, Joseph also had a dream.
(Enter Angel 4)
Angel 4: Joseph. Take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. King Herod has ordered that Jesus must be killed. (Exit angel)
Narrator: Mary, Joseph and Jesus left Bethlehem straight away. When the wise men did not return to King Herod he was very angry and ordered that all baby boys in Bethlehem should be killed. However, they did not find Jesus because he was safe in Egypt.   And that is the end of our story about the first Christmas.
(Whole cast assemble on stage for finale)
Finale Song: Brand New Star

LIST OF SONGS

1) MARY, WE HAVE TO MAKE A JOURNEY (Joseph solo, and choir)
2) YOU ARE A FRIEND, GENTLE DONKEY    (Choir)
3) LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO STAY (Choir)
4) THERE WERE SHEPHERDS (Choir and solo by angel)
5)   BRAND NEW STAR (Choir)
6)   SOMETHING ON MY MIND (Herod solo, and choir)
7)   THREE KINGS’ SONG   (3 Kings in unison, and choir)
8)   SLEEP, WONDERFUL BABY (Joseph solo, Mary solo, and choir)
9)   Finale: BRAND NEW STAR (repeated, sung by all)

LYRICS TO THE SONGS

1) Mary, We Have to Make a Journey
(Twice) by Joseph
Mary, we have to make a journey.
Mary, we have to make a journey.
And I know this isn’t a good time for you.
And I know that the baby is due.
We’ve got to travel back
To where I was born.
Mary we have to make a journey.
Mary we have to make a journey.

2) You are a Friend, Gentle Donkey
(Sung twice by choir)
Carry Mary ever so carefully
Carry Mary On and On
Carry Mary ever so carefully
Carry Mary On and On
You are a friend, gentle donkey
Youn are a friend good and true
You are a friend, gentle Donkey
Gentle Donkey we’re grateful to you.

3) Looking for Somewhere to Stay
(Choir: Repeat Three Times)
Looking for somewhere to stay.
They were looking for somewhere to stay.
But everywhere they went that night,
Another door slammed in their face.
Looking for somewhere to stay
They were looking for somewhere to stay.
But everywhere they went that night,
Another door slammed in their face.

Go away, Go away,
There’s no room here, go away.

(last verse concludes with:)
Come inside, Come inside
It’s just a barn but come inside.

4) There were Shepherds
(Choir:)
There were shepherds up on a hillside
Looking after their flock
There were shepherds up on a hillside
In for a very great shock
For when they looked in the night
They saw a wonderful sight
An angel of God, showered in light

(Angel:)
Oh don’t be afraid
I’m not here to harm you
I bring you good news (Spread the Good News)
I bring you good news (Spread the Good News)
The saviour of mankind
is down in the valley
Born in Bethlehem
He’s born in Bethlehem

5) Brand New Star
There’s a brand new star in the sky!
There’s a brand new star in the sky!
It’s a sign that the world will all change tonight
There’s a brand new star in the sky!

There’s a brand new star in the sky!
There’s a brand new star in the sky!
It’s a sign from above on this dark dark night
There’s a brand new star in the sky!

It’s amazing! The Son of God is born!
It’s amazing! The Son of God is born!
It’s amazing! The Son of God is born!
In Bethlehem.

6) Something on My Mind
(Herod :)
I cannot sleep at night
There’s something on my mind.
Something on my mind.
Something on my mind.
They tell me that a new King has arrived.
They tell me that a new King has arrived.
Oh! This is bad news! This is bad news!
This is bad, bad news for me!
(Choir:)
He cannot sleep at night
There’s something on his mind.
Something on his mind.
Something on his mind.
It’s all because a new King has arrived.
It’s all because a new King has arrived.
Oh! This is good news! This is good news!
This is good, good news for us!
(Herod repeat verse 1)

7) The Three Kings’ Song
(Twice)
We have travelled many a mile
to see this miracle.
We have travelled many a mile
to see this miracle.
And we are so glad, we are so glad
We are so glad to meet this baby.
We bring gifts for you, for you, Lord.
(Final verse:)
La la la………
We bring gifts for you, for you, Lord.

8) Sleep, wonderful baby
(1 verse Joseph, 1 verse Mary, 1 verse all)
Sleep baby sleep
In my arms.
Safe from harm
Sleep wonderful baby
Perfect in every way
Sleep wonderful baby
This is the first Christmas Day
I will cradle you tight
Keep you warm through the night
Sleep wonderful baby
Sleep wonderful child
...........................................

This script may be used free of charge.
The director's script, CD and basic sheet music can be ordered from http://www.magicparrot.com
Price £30.00 + shipping (includes 12 months free performing licence- nothing else to pay)
I can send it at once and invoice you later.
THE PLAY IS EASY TO PERFORM- SING ALONG TO THE BACKING TRACKS ON THE CD
MY WEBSITE HAS FULL DETAILS OF ALL MY PLAYS
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