Note: For obvious reasons, the durations against each script are only very approximate.
| Key: | = Generally lighthearted; | = Drama; | = Heavy |
N=Narrator; M=Male; F=Female; C=Child; M/'F=optional Male or Female; VO=Voices only; V=Vary to suit needs
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the list below, try the Dramatix script search engine.
Click here.
|
REVISED The Song of Mary |
Dur: 50-60min |
D |
6F, 10M, 1M/F, +V |
The inside story of Christmas, told by Mary as an older woman to doctor and historian Luke. Note: This play is based very carefully on the gospel narrative. It brings to life the personalities of Mary and Joseph, and the tensions of the times, rather than leaving them as Christmas card characters. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 60min |
L |
Large cast |
Finding the true meaning of Christmas among the intense commercialism of the season is explored in this play, which includes extracts from two other scripts, making a full-length production. The two scripts are: 'Christmas carols vs scripture' by Bob Snook ©1999 Bob Snook. http://www.fea.net and 'Away with the Manger' (author unknown), which can be found elsewhere at the Dramatix site. |
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|
Dur: 15min |
D |
3M/F, 9+C |
A group of kids arrive at a museum on a school field trip. They are entering a room that supposedly has reproductions of works by Rembrandt detailing various aspect of the Christmas story up on the walls. The kids discuss the meaning of the paintings, while the Guide can only talk about the technical details. A small child unknown to any of the other kids adds a further depth of meaning. (Author: David Wagner) |
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Dur: 40min |
D |
9M, 1F, 5M/F, +V |
A very simple traditional Musical Nativity Play for children. Suitable for children 5-13 and special needs pupils. (Author: Freddie Green) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
8M/F |
When a bus breaks down on Christmas Eve, the passengers have to change their attitudes if they are to get going again. (Authors: Savita Mitra and Bea Oertel) |
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|
Dur: 45min |
D |
4C, 2F, 1M, +V standard Xmas characters |
A stage play about a stage play. The Children’s Director becomes exasperated with one particular cast member while rehearsing for the church’s annual Christmas pageant - an ADHD problem-child, Evan. When things reach a breaking point, the traditional story is portrayed as seen through Evan’s eyes. (Authors: Peggy Barnell and Diane Cornett) |
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|
Dur: 50min |
D |
11M, 8F |
A sequel to "Worthy is the Lamb". Hugh and Justina fell in love in "Worthy is the Lamb". In "A King is Born", they are married and expecting a child around Christmas time. The story is set in the historical context of the Baron's Revolt in England in the mid-1200s. Ranulph de Burgh's leadership in the revolt makes life dangerous for his unborn grandchild and heir, and Hugh and Justina are forced to flee their home at the same time as she is due to give birth. They gain a new understanding of the plight of Mary and Joseph as Mary gives birth to Jesus, and for God's faithful provision to those who trust Him. (Author: Heather Cooper) |
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Dur: 20min? |
L |
13M, 1F, 3M/F |
A humorous retelling of the Christmas story in a musical format, told through the rewriting a collection of secular Christmas songs to have a Christian message. (Authors: James Jack & Cameron Smith) |
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|
Dur: 45min |
D |
8M, 3F, 6M/F |
Scrooge is meddling around his theater office trying to get ready for an upcoming show he is supporting, not knowing the play is titled "Under a Star", which of course is a Christmas play. When he discovers it is a Christmas play he decides to sabotage the show. He goes home only to find Jacob Marley waiting for him. When threatened to fix the mess he created at the theater, Scrooge is met by the Ghost of the past. She takes him to the manger and shows him Jesus. Then he is taken to the crucifixion where he is torn by the sight of the baby he saw a few minutes ago covered in blood and dying. He awakes in his room with the ghost of the present to show him the people in his town that were grateful for their lives even though they had nothing to be rich about. Horrified, he awakes again to see the Ghost of the future there and he is taken to the world he creates as a person who is all negative. He sees his grave and discovers he was murdered because of his boasts of money and cruelty to people. He awakes on Christmas morning after a frightful night and sets about making things right. (Author: John Charles Siedenberg II) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
N + V all ages |
A Christmas play looking towards Easter. Designed to include all Sunday School ages. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 90min |
D |
7M, 6F |
A lesson in love and forgiveness is learned from a group of poor and homeless. (Author: Peggy Barnell) |
|
Dur: 10min |
L |
1N, +V |
An original playlet I wrote for inclusion in our Christingle Service in St Peters and St Pauls Church (C of E) in Charing KENT England on 24 Dec 06. Can be performed informally without rehearsal, as the Narrator has the only speaking part. The narrator should be in full control and invite / tell the children where to stand etc. Minimum costumes would be helpful. Could be included in a children's (carol) service etc. (Author: Richard Webb) |
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Dur: 60min |
D |
4M, 7F, 5C |
Esther's adult children can't believe it when she asks them to work with her on a quilt as a Christmas project. (Author: Peggy Barnell) |
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|
Dur: 6min |
L |
4 puppets |
A host asks four panel members "What is Christmas all about?" (Author: Maurice Sweetsur) |
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Dur: 20min |
D |
7M, 4F, 2C |
A new take on the famous story by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol". It keeps the flavour of the original, but looks at the story from the perspective of Rick Warren's "A Purpose-driven Life". (Author: Heather Cooper) |
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Dur: 20min |
D |
1N, 3M, 3F, 5M/F, 3C, +V |
A relatively faithful representation of Dickens' classic (except that this Scrooge is a woman), with an appearance by Joseph, Mary, a refugee mom and child, a local pastor. Touches of humour. (Author: Heather Sevrens) |
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Dur: 5x4min |
L |
1M, 2 puppets |
A set of five plays combining puppets and a live actor (in this case, the pastor), marking the four Sundays of Advent, plus Christmas Eve. A new candle is lit for each Sunday. (Author: Dave Stevens) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
2M/F |
Simon and Andy discuss whether Advent is relevant to today. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 4min |
L |
1N, 6M/F |
A drama for christmas:- inspired by a short story from faith, folk and nativity (and of course the film "men in black") (Author: Sheila Hamil) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
1 M/F |
A monologue that looks at Jesus' time on earth (Christmas to Easter) from the perspective of an angel who doesn't always understand what is happening to Jesus. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur:5-15min |
D |
Large cast |
The initial narrator wonders where Jesus would buy gifts.The final answer is that Jesus gives those who act in His Name as the gift. A reader's theatre script. (Author: Dan Lozer) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
1M |
A monologue from the Inn Keeper's perspective with a twist. What if the Inn Keeper was the father of Judas? (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
3F, 10C |
A mother wants to show her family the relevance of the old-style Christmas. (Author: Fran Barton) |
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15min |
D |
2F, 1VO |
Life is difficult for Courtney and her mum. A surprise gift from her great-grandmother, telling of her experiences during World War II in bombed London, puts their difficulties into perspective, however. (Author: Heather Cooper) |
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Dur: 9min |
D |
2M, 1F |
A man is questioning his own faith or lack thereof concerning Christmas. Two angels come to his door in the guise of Mary & Joseph. She is in labor and needs shelter from the storm raging outside. (Author: Joanne Miller) |
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Dur: 7min |
H |
1N, 1M, 3F, 3+M/F |
A powerful drama that considers what probably would have happened if the Anunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary - that she was to bear the baby Jesus - had been made today. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1M, 1F, 3M/F or C |
A family sets off on an outing to try and locate the perfect Christmas. (Author: Richard Heap) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
4M 2F, 3M/F, 1C + V |
A newspaper reporter and photographer go to the manger to cover the birth of Jesus. As they arrange the scene, Jesus gets pushed to one side. (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
10M, 1F |
A retelling of the journey of the Magi to see the Christ-child. (Author: Loree Brown) |
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| Dur: 25min |
L |
10M, 4F, 9M/F |
The setting of this play is backstage at the dress rehearsal for a big Christmas production. All the characters are dressed in appropriate costume for the "Big Show." The Director is running in and out getting people ready to go out "on stage" for the rehearsal. But what we see is this backstage activity, with costumed people milling about, interacting with one another. It comes out that some of the kids don't even really understand the Christmas story that they are rehearsing, so the characters embark on an impromptu re-enactment of the nativity story, grabbing whoever is available to play the needed parts. Understanding and revelation is obtained by those that participate, and the "Little Show" ends up ministering to the kids more than the "Big Show." (Author: Dave Wagner) |
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Dur: 60+min ? |
L |
4M, 3F |
The INN is a usually a crazy place to work, but things get really zany when the everyone comes to town to pay their taxes. Mordecai, the innkeeper, tries to keep control but we know the workers are really the ones running the place - so when Mary and Joseph show up at the inn, the workers put their heads together and do something really great for GOD! (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur:30min |
D |
4M +V |
A one act Christmas sketch set in the pub connected to the inn in Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born. The dialogue explores the effects of the mysterious birth of a "special child" on the four characters, only two of whom actually see it. (Author: Johannes Kelder) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
4M/F |
The Bethlehem Star newspaper is being prepared with the central story gradually being pushed out! (A variation on "Away with the Manger" by John Fewings) (Author: Mark & David Ralf) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
3M, 1F, 3C, +V |
After a family is visited by carolers they begin to discuss how some of those carols came about. They are surprised to learn a little bit about The First Noel. Based on research regarding the carol. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2M, 1F, 4M/F |
A well-to-do family is condescending towards a homeless man - but in reality he has something more precious than they have. (Author: John Cosper Jr) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
N |
How Christmas was transformed from its original simplicity to its modern day crassness. (Author: Peter Minson) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
3M, 5F |
A family out Christmas shopping discovers there are parallels between the Christmas story and today's world. (Author: Dougie Paton) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
7M/F |
Not your basic warm-and-fuzzy Christmas Eve service. A trio of choral readers recite the scriptures while the innkeeper and a shepherd reunion cast a different twist on the traditional approach. This can easily take 20-30 minutes to perform. Note: Response to this piece has been mixed; some people prefer to not challenge, or be challenged, on Christmas Eve. (Authors: John Kenneson & John Wayne Samples) |
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Dur: 45min? |
L |
13+C |
The Christmas story like you've seen it before - through the eyes of the Animals of Christmas! (Main message: "Jesus loves you no matter what you smell like, and so do we!") Everyone is welcome at the feet of Jesus! (Authors: Troy and Genie Nilsson) |
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Dur: 20min |
L |
6M, 3F, 1+M/F |
The characters from the British TV comedy, Fawlty Towers, feature in this hilarious Christmas story. Basil and Sybil are at odds over what to do with the newly arrived Mary and Joseph, when the situation is complicated by the arrival of a hotel inspector. (Author: David Winfield) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
1M/F |
A TV chef demonstrates how to create the perfect(!) Christmas. (Authors: Simon & Sue Kingham) |
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15-20min |
L |
25-40C |
A traditional nativity play but played out against the backdrop of a group of older children going around an art gallery and the pictures “come to life” and so act out the Christmas story. Inspired by David Wagner's script “A Child Shall Lead Them”. (Author: Mike Clayton) |
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Dur: 40min |
D |
7M, 2F, V |
The Nativity story told from the Innkeeper’s perspective. The Innkeeper and his wife are about to lose their inn to their less than scrupulous cousin. Due to the wife’s recent and serious illness the innkeeper was forced to borrow from his cousin. Now that his wife is well again business is resuming but not fast enough to keep the cousin from claiming ownership of the inn. The couple decides to pray for a miracle but not to let the children in on what is going on. All the while the children have overheard the conversation and vow to help all they can. Their son learns that there is to be a census that will bring many customers to the inn. Surely, he thinks, that will help to earn the money they need to pay their cousin. (Author: Joanne Miller) |
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Dur: (various) |
D |
Various |
A set of 3 sketches shedding different perspectives on nativity accounts. These 3 quite different sketches are designed to be performed in a Christmas service or at a cabaret type event. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 60min + |
D |
5M, 10F, 5C |
The mid-west town of Walden is preparing for its annual Christmas festival, when festivities are disrupted by a sudden snow storm. While sitting out the storm, a group of former friends who have returned for a high school reunion discover what has happened in the intervening years. (Author: Shannon Le Grand) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
2M, 1F, 2C |
A play for the week after Christmas. Santa does some market research to see if people had a happy Christmas. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 3 x 3min |
L |
V |
Three short pieces on the theme preparing for the holidays. These can be used as stand alone pieces or as fillers between scenes of a larger dramatic piece. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
5M, 5M/F |
Angels and shepherds discuss the events of Christmas as they relax in their various staff lounges. (Author: Debra Bertrand) |
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Dur: 4min |
L |
2+M/F |
The traditional Christmas carol is given a new twist in this satire on commercialism and the "family" celebration. (Authors: Paul & Janet Clark, Graham & Sue Fisher, Steve & Sara Phillips) |
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Dur: 9min |
L |
5M, 1F, 4M/F |
A humorous Christmas sketch, in which the toy characters in a typical nativity scene prepare for this year's display. (Author: Nick Clarke) |
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Dur: 30min |
L |
6M, 1F, 3M/F |
Chaos reigns backstage as the church's drama director tries to get the dress rehearsal underway for the Christmas production. Everyone is late, and many of the players are reluctant. (Author: Annette Wetherbee) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
2M/F |
A comparison of the eclipse of the sun with the advent of Jesus. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 60min |
D |
Around 25 adults and children |
A play to involve all ages, this light-hearted drama with rhymed narration involves the prophets of old looking down to see how their prophecies are being fulfilled. Their worries are reflected in the anxieties of all the characters of the Christmas story. To this day, Christians are reminded that God is working out everything according to His plan. (Author: Kevin Penner) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
1M, 2V |
Three first century characters independently talk about themselves. Each person has had some relationship with the Christmas story, and each one is profoundly affected when the Easter story takes place. (Author: Rick Borger) |
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Dur: 6min |
D |
N, 2M, 1F |
Father McEvoy, a humble parish priest, gets an unexpected surprise when he finds a live baby in the Christmas crib he is preparing. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 3min |
L |
1M, 3C |
A father distributes gifts to his greedy children at Christmas. The gifts are taken for granted or wasted. (Authors: Steven Paetkau and David Gruchy) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
3M, 1F, 1M/F |
This is the dramatized story of the Christmas Carol, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," from its beginnings as part of a Christmas sermon to the trenches of World War II. The reasoning behind this joyous carol may come as a surprise to many. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 5min |
D |
1F |
What Mary might have decided if she were a modern-day young woman. (Author: Tracey Burroughs) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
4M/F, 2C |
Customers fight over the latest Christmas fads in this satire. Points up how consumerism has taken over. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
1F, 2M/F, 1C, Choir |
Zog, an alien, comes to earth at Christmas, and has difficulty discovering what the season is about. This play is designed to work around a church choir performance. (Author: Gabi Lautenbach) |
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Dur: 3min |
D |
1F |
A short monologue by an 18-year-old girl named Grace, who works in a department store. This is written for Christmas, but could be changed very easily. The main idea of the script is that we, as Christians, are free to say "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" (or, if changed, that we, as Christians, have religious freedom to act out our faith, even if we might not always be able to say that out loud for everyone to hear). (Author: "Alex") |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
3M, 4F, +V |
A young boy searching for Christmas has difficulty finding anyone who can tell him where to find it. (Author: Marjorie Kennedy) |
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Dur: 8min |
L |
5M |
King Herod's meeting with the 3 Wise Men as they journey to find the new king. Done more in the style of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". (Author: Jill Gresham) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
3M |
Three department store Santas have very different appreciations of Christmas and their job. (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 20min |
L |
3M, 5F, 1M/F |
Stephen has the task of writing the script for a Christmas play, but is suffering severe writer's block, while not seeing the opportunities around him. (Author: David Wagner) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1M, 1F, 1N |
This Christmas many will struggle with the absence of a son or daughter. In this story one family learns that the experience is not unique -- a special Christmas song was written a few decades ago that explains how their adult child may feel while in the clutches of war during Christmas. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2M, 1F |
Joseph cannot accept Mary's amazing story of the angel's visit and subsequent pregnancy, so they go to a counsellor for help. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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In
The Same Country |
Dur: 10min |
L |
4M, 9 M/F |
When the angel announced the good news of Christ's birth, some people just didn't get it. In fact, it was only the least likely who did get it. (Author: Trevor Fletcher) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
3M |
Not your basic warm-and-fuzzy Christmas service. Some key players in the Christmas story reflect back is a service designed for a dinner theatre. Includes a communion service at the end. Its purpose is to challenge Christmas program attendees to walk a little closer with Christ, not just a little faster through the malls. (A variation of Christmas Eve Reflections. Shorter, and with fewer people.) (Author: John W. Samples) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
1N, 3C |
A humorous re-telling of the Christmas story done in a Joyce Grenfell-style monologue. The point is that all the business of a Nativity play can sometimes obscure the central message. (Author: Jeremy Moodey) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
2M/F,15+C |
Five trees discuss whether they will be chosen by children for Christmas decorations. When one is left behind, an angel shows how it can display the true gifts of Christmas. (Author: Marjorie Kennedy) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
3F |
Christmas is a stressful time. It has become a commercial event; with little thought for the reason it all began. As three friends meet over coffee one is able to teach the others that Jesus is the reason for the season. (Author: Greg Springall) |
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(Note: There are two versions of this script, one using multi-media techniques, the other not. Click here for the non-multi media version. |
Dur: 45min? |
D |
3M, 4F, 1C, 3M/F (some parts are non-speaking, some can be doubled) |
A Christmas play for those who don't believe in Christmas (or who have lost what it's about). Joe Davidson is a driven, self-made man. Born into a poor family, with hard work he has made a name for himself as a property developer. A small, dilapidated house, once owned by his parents, has been both his inspiration and his obsession. Following the death of his wife, Joe has become obsessed with a determination to buy the property, pull the house down and build a new apartment block. But the property is now owned by the City Mission, which uses it as a community drop-in centre. The conflict comes to a head when, on the anniversary of Miriam's death, Joe receives an unusual night visitor. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 2min |
D |
4M |
A short reader's theatre script featuring the four magi and their reaction to the baby Jesus. Could be used as an introduction to another play. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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|
Dur: 50min |
D |
5M, 4F, 1M/F |
The story of one man’s search for meaning in life and his encounter with a pair of bumbling, not-so-bright church custodians. The pair are comparable to ‘Dumb & Dumber’, but they take the job of caring for the house of the Lord very seriously, as well as the task of “leaving the light on” for the lost who may pass by . (Author: Peggy Barnell) |
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Dur: 50min |
L |
7M, 2F, 1M/F |
Moses, Esther, Ruth, David and Isaiah have been asked to organise the arrangements for the millenium's big event, the birth of Jesus. (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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|
Dur: 40min |
L |
5M, 5W, 1C |
Susan and Tom are descended upon by unexpected relatives at Christmas. On top of that, they have to cope with a strangely changed mother. The resulting chaos causes them to question what the season is all about. (Author: Mike Jessup) |
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Dur: 40min? |
L |
17C |
This is the story of Christmas. . . told in a unique fashion! You've seen them all over the place. . . you know, all those NATIVITY SCENES! This is the story of Christmas as told through the perspective of each of the pieces of the nativity. . . in this musical you'll meet some of the animals who were displaced by the birth of Christ, and the Innkeeper who hesitantly gave up the manger for the weary parents. You'll meet three "cool eastern guys" who outwit the nasty Herod. . . it's a Christmas party like you've never seen before! (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur: 40min? |
L |
(See script) |
The story of 7 animals (three sheep, a donkey, a rooster, a chicken, and a cow) who, the day that Mary and Joseph come to the Inn, are arguing about the overcrowded conditions in their barnyard. Then Mary and Joseph show up, and the animals form an "alliance" to find out why these humans have invaded their already limited space. (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur: 20min |
D |
4F, 2M, 1M/F |
The events of the Christmas story seen from the perspective of Mary. (Author anonymous) |
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Dur: 4min |
D |
1M, 1F |
A short vignette, of the time Mary tells Joseph the child she is carrying is not his. This is the second part of a trilogy, of which the first script is The Plan. (Author: Alden Frye) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
1F |
A monologue, in which Mary the mother of Jesus reflects on the events of the first Christmas and of the first Easter. (Author: Katy Pent) |
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Dur: 7x6min |
D |
1F |
An Advent Series of Monologues Writer, using material from the play The Song of Mary by John McNeil, The Message by Eugene Peterson, and We Were There by Marla Ehlers. (Author: Ran VandenBurg, based on a script by John McNeil) |
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Dur: 60+ min? |
D |
3M, 2F, 1M/F |
A young Jewish lady learns about her Messiah from her best friend and visits from prophets in her dreams. This musical focuses on three of the main prophecies that were fulfilled by the birth of the Messiah. He would be born in Bethlehem, be a descendant of David, and born of a virgin. This is a free musical, including all of the original music. (Author: Dan Olds) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
4M, 1M/F |
A light hearted sketch in which Joseph attempts to register the birth of Jesus, but finds problems explaining the circumstances. (Author: Nick Clarke) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
9M, 1F, 7M/F |
A Christmas story where it's OK to bumble a bit. It seems the Narrator is the only one who has a clue as to what is supposed to happen and is surprised by the lack of understanding from the cast. A melodrama that should bring smiles and a very light festive atmosphere. (Author: Marie Parker) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2M, 1F |
What if Jesus were born today How would he be received? Christ's birth through the eyes of a modern day bed-and-breakfast owner. (Author: Christin Kuck) |
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Dur: 20min |
L |
7M, 3M/F |
A pantomime version of the nativity story, done in humorous verse. (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 60+min |
D |
7M, 4F +V |
Three teenagers interested in time travel inadvertently bring the historical St Nicholas, bishop of Myra, to the 21st century. Nick is disappointed to find out that people have made him into the center of the event and corrupted the true message of Christmas. The kids try to take Nick back to his own time and place, but end up in Palestine more than 300 years too early. There they meet a group of travelers who turn out to be wise men from the east. Trying again, they end up in Bethlehem on the eve of the first Christmas. Back in the 21st century, the kids briefly recap the return of Nick to his home and their own return to the present. They also discuss some of their discoveries. (Authors: Robin & Delwyn McKenzie) |
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No Room at the Inn, or, If I Knew You Were Coming I'd have Baked a Cake |
Dur: 10min |
L |
9M, 2F +V |
Often we are too busy, distracted or cynical to enjoy the miracle of Christmas. A curmudgeonly hotel manager completely misses it. (Author: Steve Munson) |
|
Dur: 3 x 4min |
D |
2M, 1F |
These three monologues were written to be used in a pre-Christmas service entitled "Not So Silent Night", which was part of a series called "Cracked Christmas Carols". We wanted to remind people that sometimes the pictures we have in our minds from Christmas carols and cards are a little bit too sanitized and pretty. Jesus came into the harsh realities of our world … which makes the incarnation that much more amazing to comprehend! (Author: Melinda Cousins) |
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Dur: 45min |
D |
4M, 4F, 1C, + Choir |
A Christmas play with choir music. Brad and Jenny are successful 20-somethings who were raised participating in church but believe they have “moved on” in life. God uses a trip home for Christmas, the faith of a homeless mother, and a personal crisis to get their attention and begin to draw them back to Himself. (Authors: Ruth & Wright Eavenson) |
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|
Dur: 7min |
D |
1M, 1F, +C |
A couple has decided to spend Christmas in Israel. The reality of Christmas day in the country of Jesus' birth is far different than they expected. Based on a true story. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 45min? |
D |
N + V Cong. |
Designed as part of a church service, with audience involvement and all-age participation. A highlight is the soliloquies of Joseph and Mary at the end. (Authors: Peter & Mary Minson) |
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Dur: 50min |
D |
5M, 3F, 10-12M/F |
Tolstoy’s classic tale about a shoemaker who dreams that Jesus is going to visit him the following day. He spends the day watching and waiting amid a few interruptions from people needing his help. At the end of the day he is feeling sad that Jesus didn’t come to visit, but hears the Lord telling him that he came in each of those helped, and commending him: “What you did for others, you did for me.” (Authors: Robin & Delwyn McKenzie) |
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Dur: 8min |
D |
1M, 1F, 1V |
A husband seeking peace and goodwill at Christmas becomes enraged with his wife and ends up committing domestic violence. Black humour. (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 4min |
D |
1F |
A monologue. On a return visit later in life to the stable where it all began, Mary reflects on the events started by the first Christmas. (Author: Holly Ramsey) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
3M/F |
Three residents of an old people's rest home lament that Christmas is not what it used to be. Then they decide to do something about it. (Author: Michael Humphrey) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
1N +V |
All the innkeeper wants is a good night's sleep - but he's not going to get it. (By Sheila Hamil, adapted from a famous children's story entitled "Jesus Christmas Party" by Nicholas Allen.) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
2M/F |
A dissatisfied customer tries to get his money back because the Christmas feeling didn't last. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 2min |
D |
N |
Okay, so this actually a poem and not a play; but it touches on an issue not often discussed, and I think you'll like it! (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
1M/F + V + puppet |
Interaction between live person and puppet, on the theme, how can we see God at Christmas? (Author: Edgar Mayer) |
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Dur: 6min |
L |
2M/F |
Two sheep discuss the announcement by the angels of the Christ-child's advent. (Author: Warren Judkins) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
4M, 3M/F |
The shepherd's given the news of Jesus' birth are invited to tell their story in a TV current affairs show. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 15min |
L |
3M/F |
Three brothers and sisters are playing a board game at Christmas, and in the process some truths hit home for the first time. (Author: David Wagner) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2F |
A hard day's shopping leaves Tracey with a question at the end. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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REVISED Song of Mary |
Dur: 50-60min |
D |
6F, 10M, 1M/F, +V |
The inside story of Christmas, told by Mary as an older woman to doctor and historian Luke. Note: This play is based very carefully on the gospel narrative. It brings to life the personalities of Mary and Joseph, and the tensions of the times, rather than leaving them as Christmas card characters. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
3W |
The paradoxical birth of Christ has been a stumbling stone to people for centuries. The Ruler of the universe coming to earth in the form of a helpless baby has to be explained away in order to make room for our own human comprehension. But at what cost? (Author: Christin Kuck) |
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Dur: 50min |
D |
10M, 8F, 1M/F, +V |
A Christmas musical, featuring Mary as both an older woman as well as the young girl who gave birth to the Messiah. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the script. (John Pattison) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2M |
Two new fathers are standing outside of the hospital nursery looking through the glass at their new sons. The hopes that they have for their sons differ greatly. (Author: Walt Scheiman) |
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Dur: 2min |
D |
2M/F |
The third script of an advent trilogy. The previous two are The Plan and Mary & Joseph. Two angels are excited to be part of the angelic choir. (Author: Alden Frye) |
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Dur: 30min |
L |
8M, 1F, 4M/F |
A writer has been commissioned to write a "modernized" version of the nativity story, so that kids nowadays can understand the story better. As he wrestles with modernizing the story, he always ends up back at the original version of each scene. The idea is that in spite of his efforts, the story is best as is. As he works through his ideas, they are enacted (as such) behind him on the stage by the actors (costumed accordingly). It's as though they are his imagination alive on stage behind him. (Author: Dave Wagner) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
1F, 4C |
Imagine four young kids stuck out in the middle of the Caribbean on a cruise with parents on CHRISTMAS EVE. . . with nothing but a bunch of silver-haired folks around! It would spell disaster if these four kids didn't put their minds together and determine to celebrate Christmas anyway!This easy-to-perform musical features one solo for a girl's medium-range voice, and 5 great choir tunes, along with a script that focuses on the real meaning of Christmas. (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur: 60min |
L |
9M, 7F, 1C |
Christmas means Christmas Lights, and Christmas Lights means big money for CLI. So what happens when one little girl brings Jesus into the picture? This drama is funny, with characters such as "Moodolf the Bucktooth Heifer" and "Barry, Burley, and Bo", but is very serious about reaching out to the lost, and reminding us all of what Christmas is really about. (Author: Jarrod Midkiff) |
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Dur: 45min? |
D |
5M, 1F, 11M/F (some parts can be doubled) |
This is a dramatic narrative of the Christmas events, staying close to the biblical texts with emphasis on the personal cost to the characters involved. It does not include the involvement of kin, Herod or the birth of John the Baptist. It does include Epiphany. The narration is aimed at keeping children on board as much as possible and so is 'all age' worship material. (Authors: Peter & Mary Minson) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1M, 1F, 1M/F |
Joseph and Mary go to a counsellor because of their disagreement over the cause of her pregnancy. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
1N, 2M, 4M/F, 1C + V |
A retelling in verse form of the Tolstoy story 'Papa Panov's Special Day', in which Jesus visits a person 3 times on Christmas Day in the guise of 3 people with different needs. (Author: Fran Barton) |
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Dur: 15min |
D |
2M, 3F |
What is Christmas like for the homeless? Selflessness can be found there, too. (Authors: Daniel & Christin Kuck) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
1M |
A Stanley Holloway-style monologue about how the real enduring message of Christmas is not presents but the gift of Jesus Christ. (Author: Jeremy Moodey) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
2M, 1F |
Joseph and Mary are visited by a fourth stranger from the East, who brings with him a most unusual gift. (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
1N, 1C + V |
A Christmas play for all-year-round. This parable, in which the animals destroy their park through disobedience to the Gardener, attempts to put the need for the Christ-child into context of the Fall and need for redemption. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
4M, 1F, 2M/F |
A nativity scene provides the focus and the catalyst for a series of events involving people who have suffered over the past year. (Author: Ralph M. Cooper) |
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The Gift (2) |
Dur: 5min |
D |
5M/F |
An Oral Interpretation of Drama (O.I.D.) that brings the Christmas story to life in a new way. The use of vocal interpretation helps make this type of drama unique. Can be used as a Reader's Theater script. (Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
5M/F |
Five animals enter their barn after a hard day of work to find there’s a kid lying in their food trough. But who is he? And where did he come from? Is it a conspiracy, or something far greater? (Author: Justyn Walker) |
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Dur: 15min? |
L |
1M, 2C |
A script to use at a Christmas banquet after the meal. The style is light and humorous. An Innkeeper walks among his guests, commenting on the busyness of the season, and the nation's hopes for a Messiah (but missing the point of Mary and Joseph's arrival). (Author: Reg Kenny) |
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Dur: 15min |
L |
9M, 4F, 6M/F +V |
A humorous nativity play based on a reality TV competition - with three kings (Henry VIII, Herod, and the new born Jesus) competing to be your King. (Author: David Ruddock) |
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Dur: 3min |
D |
N + V |
Consumerism strikes back. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 40min |
L |
V? |
In this fun musical you'll meet Bernardo Da Vinci, artist-in-residence to Caesar Augustus. . . who has been commissioned to do a landscape scene on the slopes of Bethlehem. He encounters an innkeeper and his wife, Mary & Joseph, some shepherds, the wisemen. . . and this provides him the inspiration to create a "Manger Masterpiece!" Featuring seven songs and a simple script. (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
2M, 4C, 1F, +V |
Just what everyone wants. . . a good mystery! That's what a group of young friends find when a mysterious Christmas card arrives at the mailbox of one of the children - a card that would lead them on an adventure to the Post Office, the home of an elderly widow, and a church dinner for the homeless. In the musical the children truly learn the real meaning of Christmas! (Author: Ray Lombardi) |
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Dur: 15min |
L |
1N (VO), 3C, 8M, 2F, 1M/F |
Three children set up a nativity scene with their family's pieces. When they leave, the figures come to life, to retell the story to an intruder. (Author: David Wagner, adapted from work by Julia Whitehair and Catherine Smith) |
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Dur: 30-45min |
D |
11m, 5f, 3m/f |
Two other magi arrive in Bethlehem, 33 years too late to give their gifts to Baby Jesus. Trying to find the man, they learn about His ministry and the real reason for His birth. Keywords: Easter, miracles, life of Jesus, ministry. (Author: Brian Alleyne) |
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Dur: 8min |
L |
7M, 2F, 6M/F |
A TV interviewer used to being centre stage finds himself at the edge and speechless when investigating the events in Bethlehem. (Author unknown) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1M/F |
Christmas is a lonely time for many. The pensioner goes to the City Mission to share in the community Christmas dinner, but even the hard work of the Mission staff to provide a happy occasion cannot disguise his loneliness. (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 2min |
D |
2M/F |
Two angels discuss the coming birth of Jesus. This is the first part of a trilogy of short scripts. The others are Mary & Joseph, and The Announcement. (Author: Alden Frye) |
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Dur: 40min |
D |
7M, 3F, 2C |
A woman who is unexpectedly pregnant and due on Christmas Day resents her condition. She becomes reconciled as she discovers the Christmas story. (Author: Steve Tichenor) |
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Dur: 2 x 2min |
L |
2M |
Life is boring for Caleb and Aram out watching sheep on the hillside. Until something stunning happens. (Author: Alden Frye) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
5M, 1C, 2M/F |
How it might have been if the shepherds had been distracted from belief by the cares of the day. (Denise Busenitz) |
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D |
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A harmony of the Gospels, in simple English suitable for new readers, compiled by John McNeil. "The Story of Jesus" contains material from all four Gospels. Everything in the Gospels is included; however, where verses from two different Gospels are virtually identical, only one has been chosen. Where two verses contain similar material, but from different viewpoints, they are harmonised as best as possible. |
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Dur: 90min? |
D |
8M, 3F +V |
A Messianic Musical in two acts. Once upon a time in the land of Israel, the families of Shimon and Hannah preprared to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hannukkah. This is the account of Shimon's search for wisdom, that would create ripples in the history of the world. (Words: Larry Heather; music: Helen Hooker) |
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Dur: 15min? |
D |
Various |
A dance interpretation of the events surrounding the Nativity, as particularly seen through the eyes of Creation. All the vocal parts could be pre-recorded, or read off stage, leaving the stage to the dancers. (Author: Maria Rivera) |
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Dur: 10min |
D |
3M, 2F |
A blizzard causes one family to really consider what it means to be 'family' at Christmas time - even when all you have to eat is Twinkies and Root Beer. (Author: Glenn A. Hascall) |
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Dur: 10min |
L |
1N, 3-4M, 1F |
When it comes to Christmas, so many of us focus on the wrong things: the presents, the food, the shopping, etc. Imagine if the wise men treated the arrival of Jesus in the same way that we prepare for Christmas. (Author: Trevor Fletcher) |
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Dur: 30-40min |
D |
6M, 3F |
A simple play about four wise men who saw the star. One, Claudus, would not believe it would take them to the promised Messiah and missed out on the birth of Jesus. Particularly intended for those who are skeptical of the truth of Christ and the real meaning of Christmas. (Author: Tracy Lee Gimpel) |
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Dur: 30min |
L |
8M/F |
Inhabitants of the planet Zabdi, threatened with their planet being annihilated, look for a new, peaceful world to which they can migrate. They get a misleading impression that Earth is the right place when they hear a broadcast of a Christmas carol. (Author: Andy Lund) |
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Dur: 9min |
L |
1M, 2F, 6+M/F |
A light-hearted sketch about preparing for the birth of Jesus, and taking the Christmas message seriously. This sketch is based on the television programme "The X Factor", in which various amateur singers perform, hoping to be selected for stardom. (Author: Nick Clarke) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
3M, 1N |
How the 3 magi, Caspar, Baltasar and Melchior, discovered the star pointing to the new king. (Author: Michele Pitman) |
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Dur: 12min |
L |
1M, 2F, 7M/F +V |
If Jesus were born today, where would we find the baby? (Author: John McNeil) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1N, 1M |
An older man is left to contemplate his first Christmas following the death of his lifelong spouse. Discover the difficulties he faces in coming to terms with his loneliness. (Author: Glen Hascall) |
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Dur: 20min |
D |
4M, 3F |
In this story, which has echoes of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", Sarah longs for a world where things between her family members would be all better. Her family have lost sight of what was important in life. But instead of finding a dream world, Sarah finds the Truth and the Life…… Someone who can help her family "get it all together again". A sequel can be found at From Darkness into Light (Author: Heather Cooper) |
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Dur: 45min |
D |
3+M, 2+F |
A fun, upbeat exploration of the background characters in the story of Jesus' birth. Easy to produce, flexible. Features contemporary pop rock music for guitar, keys, bass and drums. Written for church bands, student or adult choirs, youth performance groups, Christian theaters or schools. Listen to samples online; play script, lead sheets,accompaniment tracks and rehearsal discs available from author's web site: http://www.waitiam.com (Author: Chris Anderson) |
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Dur: 60min |
D |
5M, 7F, 2M/F, +V |
A small-town diner called Pauly’s provides the setting where several lives regularly intertwine. A cast of colorful characters sort through the joys and struggles of every day life during the Christmas season. A variety of scenarios are taking place: a newly widowed man struggles with grief, a young pastor questions if he is really doing God’s work, a woman becomes convicted about an immoral relationship, and the town gossip wants to be in the middle of it all. (Author: Peggy Barnell) |
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Dur: 12min |
D |
Various |
The way commercialism has destroyed Christmas is depicted in a series of vignettes, interspersed with sung comments from the choir. (Author: Sheila Hamil) |
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Dur: 20min |
D |
5M, 3F, 7+M/F |
It is Christmas Eve, and two sisters ponder how the wise men decided which gifts to bring to Jesus. In a dream, they unknowingly meet up with the wise men, and inadvertently help them decide what gifts to bring to Jesus. (Author: Dave Wagner) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
2M/F |
What if the 3 wise men and the shepherds had had very different reactions to the signs of the birth of Jesus? (Author: John Fewings) |
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Dur: 30min |
D |
11M, 5F, 2M/F |
This is a Christmas detective story. The characters are from two eras, mixed together in the same story. It is a combination 30's era detective story, and Israel shortly after Jesus' birth. Herod hires Private Detective James Murray to find the missing wise men. In the process of tracking down the wise men, James uncovers the much larger Christmas story, and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Some of the characters are dressed in 30's era costumes and others in the traditional robes of a Christmas story. (Author: David Wagner) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
4M/F |
A family discuss how Christmas is under attack, and anything but Jesus is permitted. (Authors: Mike and Debra Wehr) |
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Dur: 10Min |
L |
4M. 1F |
A modern look at the traditional nativity story. This is the story that examines lesser-known people who had a part in the birth of Jesus but that you don't often hear about. (Author: Paul E. Russell) |
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St John the Evangelist Anglican church in Cambridge, UK, has performed a nativity plan on Christmas morning for many years. They have now made them available online. The plays were all written by St John's Sunday School staff. Note: These were designed to fit the following: Typically we were aiming at a group of around 15 children who could have speaking parts, with a number of other children who didn't speak (eg as shepherds or angels) or who only wanted 1-2 lines. However, we designed the scripts so that the number of parts could easily be adjusted (eg the numbers of speaking kings or shepherds could easily be modified); we took the view that children are always very busy at school around Christmas, so we wanted something that was easy for the children without being trivial; we also tried hard to avoid children needing to learn lines by writing scripts that could be read but hidden. |
| New Year | ||||
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10min |
L |
2M, 1F, 2C |
A play for the week after Christmas. Santa does some market research to see if people had a happy Christmas. (Author: John McNeil) |
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4min |
D |
2M/F |
Two siblings discuss New Year's resolutions. (Author: Noel Moore) |
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Dur: 7min |
D |
1M, 1F |
A husband and wife give each other beautifully wrapped gifts which they each proceed to throw in the garbage unopened. We later find out that each "gift" contains things such as anger, lies, manipulation, etc., all of which are being thrown out of the house so they can start the New Year off right. At first they are sickly sweet to each other but they gradually disintegrate into a major squabble. (Author: Joanne Miller) |
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Dur: 7min |
L |
1M, 1F |
A couple is writing their resolutions for the coming year. He reads hers first and discovers she has made hers a bit more realistic this year. She reads his to discover that his resolutions are all things he enjoys doing anyway. He figures why not make resolutions you know you can keep. (Author: Joanne Miller) |
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