Christmas and New Year

Details: Karen Colebatch; Scripts Since 2007; 23 June 2011

Summary: Our Sunday school teachers were discussing how to have a nativity play which included the Wise Men given it is generally assumed the magi weren't there at the actual birth. I piped up with the idea of "Where were you when it happened" style interviewing and the final result is this Special News Report script. Possibly there is something similar out there but I hadn't found this web site or anything similar until after the fact.
The play is introduced with an audio-visual component which highlights our own contemporary society and some of its ideas about Christmas. It then flows into on-stage interviews with the people who were actually there, encouraging us to think about what Christmas really is all about. There's not a heavy emphasis on the Christmas story details, rather a focus on those who participated and their perception of events, trying to get the audience to internalise and relate to the ideas. It finishes with a final simple audio-visual component challenging the audience to experience Christmas the way it was originally - all about Jesus. I used Windows Movie Maker to put the video bits together.
Inadvertently it was also a great way to incorporate the older kids who were getting too cool to participate in the "little kid's" play. They loved doing the "television" stuff. We also used songs at points I've marked in the script. I haven't included the music details. You could use anything you like in those spots.
Style: Drama. Duration: 15min
Actors: 16+ M/F/C

Details: Joanne Miller; Scripts Since 2007; 10 June 2011

Summary: These letters are being written by Mary and Joseph. The words in parentheses are them talking to themselves as they write.
Style: Drama. Duration: 8min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Details: Westchurch Kids; Scripts Since 2007; 30 November 2010

Summary: Bible characters come on stage in ones and twos and line up across the stage. At the conclusion all characters hear the baby Jesus cry and turn to look. (“Like the stone on the surface of a still river, driving the ripples on forever, redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.” – Bruce Cockburn, Cry of a Tiny Babe on Nothing But a Burning Light, 1991.)

Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 10-12min
Notes:
•    This play works well with young children who don’t need to learn lines.
•    This play can be performed with very little practice as the narrator directs activities from the script.
•    This play can easily be adapted to suit the number and gender balance of performers by using different (or more or less) Bible characters.
Actors: 1N, 12C

Details: John Siedenberg II; Scripts Since 2007; 27 November 2010

Summary: William Green had the perfect gift for his mother. It was wrapped and ready to go under the tree until a mugging. Stranded in town without any money or phone, William finds a friend in Joseph Fritz, a charity bell ringer, who shows him the story of Jesus from birth to death, and death to eternal life. In the end, William realizes that there is only one thing perfect, and he gave us "The Perfect Gift".
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 60min(?)
Actors: 14M, 4F, 1C +V

Details: Susanne Ticknor; Scripts Since 2007; 27 November 2010

Summary: A reporter who struggles to believe in God because of hurts in his life gets some help from a neighbour and a special visitor.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 20min(?)
Actors: 3M, 7M/F +V

Details: Alicia Wooden; Scripts Since 2007; 18 October 2010

Summary: Newspaper editor Sam is having a hard time finding a story, but with the help from an unexpected visitor she is able to find the true meaning of Christmas.
Style: Drama. Duration: 30min
Actors: 8M, 4F, 3M/F + 2V

Details: Yvonne deSousa; Scripts Since 2007; 18 October 2010

Summary: Children waiting for their teacher (who’s late) discuss the fun they have at Christmas. Eventually they get round to realising what they are really celebrating.
Style: Drama. Duration: 10min
Actors: 4M, 4F, 1M/F

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 18 October 2010

Summary: When Emily's four friends stop by the house at Christmastime, Emily is in the middle of putting up the family's nativity. As she unpacks each piece she begins to explain the significance of the individual pieces, and the story then comes to life as we visit Mary and Joseph, shepherds and the wisemen. The children come to understand how the nativity points to the wonderful reality that Jesus Christ came to this earth to save them from their sins.
Style: Drama. Duration: 60min (?)
Actors: 8M, 4F, 2M/F

To read the full script and order this musical, visit www.lorray.com

Details: Bob Denison; Scripts Since 2007; 23 July 2010

Summary: "Christmas Rapping" is a children's play suitable for Christmas. The birth of Jesus is depicted as if he were born today in a typical town or community. Raps and an unusual version of "Silent Night" make this an unusual and humorous play that at the same time causes the audience to focus anew upon the birth of Jesus.
Style: Lighhearted. Duration: 15min
Actors: 10-24C

Details: Kim Williamson; Scripts Since 2007; 10 June 2010

In traditional pantomime style. Our team want to mount a Nativity play, but the dastardly Natas and his crew are setting out to try and wreck it.

Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 60min+
Actors: 1N, 4M, 3F, 2M/F
To download a copy of the script, click here.

Details: Bob Grinsell; Scripts Since 2007; 09 June 2010

Summary: Three adult men at a shopping mall discuss Christmas and whether the Star of Bethlehem is true.

Style: Dramatic. Duration: 15min

Actors: 3M

To read the full script, click here.

Details: Amy Teichrib & Kelvin Bueckert; Scripts Since 2007; 25 November 2009

Summary: A lighthearted play by play commentary of a Sunday morning worship service. Sadly, our two commentators have neglected to heed their own advice. This fact is soon pointed out by a member of the audience... Note: This was written for a New Years Eve performance but could be performed at any time of the year. Just change the New years Day refrences to be applicable to your performance time. It is important for the two commentators to have rapid fire patter such as is heard on a radio sports play by play.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 5-7 min.
Scripture: Matthew 7: 1-5
Actors: 3M/F

Details: Kelvin Bueckert; Scripts Since 2007; 19 October 2009

Summary: A short monologue about the leap of faith that Joseph had to make when he took Mary as his wife.
Style: Drama. Duration: 4min
Scripture: Matthew 1: 18-24
Actors: 1M

Details: David Ralf; Scripts Since 2007; 03 October 2009

Summary: A social work case conference to discuss the new arrival in the Carpenter Family and whether action needs to be taken.
Style: Drama. Duration: 7min
Actors: 4M/F

Details: Barry Brannen; Scripts Since 2007; 01 October 2009

Summary: A humorous take on the Christmas story, done through the eyes of a TV reporter.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 15min
Actors: 8M, 4F, 4M/F, 1VO

Details: Brian Alleyne; Scripts Since 2007; 29 September 2009

Summary
How would events turn out if the Christmas story and related events were covered by a major news network like CNN or BBC?
Style: Drama. Duration: approx 40 minutes
Actors:
12 Male cast members, 5 female and 4 male or female ones plus extras.

To read the full script, click here .

Details: Barry Brannen; Scripts Since 2007; 24 September 2009

Summary: The Headmaster at the Judah School of Prophecy calls in some pupils whose work has produced some outlandish prophecies concerning the Messiah’s birth.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 8min
Actors: 4M, 1F

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 04 August 2009

Summary: Derek and Jan Sanford’s life living on a horse farm in New Jersey was filled with chores and routines. School, homework, feeding the horses, grooming, and cleaning stalls were all a part of their daily routine, until one day they stumbled on a discovery that would change everything. On that horse farm lived one old, ornery mule named “Mr. Ed”. Derek and Jan couldn’t understand why their parents insisted on keeping old Mr. Ed around until one day just before Christmas the children discover that Mr. Ed is much more than just an old mule, he is the one and only “Yule Mule!” A fun, yet meaningful new musical for 2009!
Style: Dramatic. Duration: Approx. 45 minutes.
Actors: 1M, 11C
Characters:
Mr. Ed/Horace (both characters played by same individual)
Derek Sanford
Jan Sanford
Bobby Murray
Alice Murray
Mark Green
Jody Green
Mary
Joseph
Wiseman 1
Wiseman 2
Wiseman 3

To read the script, and find out how to order the music, click here .

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 04 August 2009

Summary: The story of Christmas, told through a "reader's theater" style approach using groups of 5 speakers at a time - so the musical can be done with as few as 5 speakers, or each segment can be assigned to a different group of 5 speakers. The concept takes the audience through the Biblical accounts of the birth of Christ, using the traditional King James accounts from Luke and Matthew. This musical is an easy to perform production that does not require any special set or backdrop. The music is more traditional in nature while being easy to perform. There are musical interludes that form a sound backdrop to the narration. Other than the 5 speaking parts there are no acting or other narration parts.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: approx. 40 minutes.

To read the script and find out how to order the music, click here .

Details: Peter & Mary Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 15 July 2009

Summary: Part 6 of a series on based on the Journey of the Magi – it is suggested that this skit be used some time after Christmas – eg, the first day of Sunday School in the New Year
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 12min
Actors: 3M, 3+C

Details: Peter & Mary Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 15 July 2009

Summary: Continuing the journey of the Wise Men towards their appointment with the baby Messiah.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 7min
Actors: 7-8M, VO

Details: Peter & Mary Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 14 July 2009

Summary: This episode of the Wise Men series is a song only.

Click here for the words . For a copy of the music, email Peter & Mary Minson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details: Peter & Mary Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 14 July 2009

Summary: The Magi, having traveled across Arabia from Babylon, inquire about where to find the new-born king of the Jews. They visit Nazareth and approach the Court of King Herod and have to cope with who this Saviour really is – and whether he is worth the risk.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 10min
Actors: 5M, 1F, 1N + V

Details: Moana E. Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 14 July 2009

Sub-title: Wise Persons, Pirates and Camels from the East

Summary: Part Two of a five-part Advent series of plays, tracing the journey of the Wise Men.
Style: Light-hearted. (Monty Python-esque) Duration: 7min
Actors: 5M, 4F

Details: Peter & Mary Minson; Scripts Since 2007; 14 July 2009

Summary: Part One of a five-part Advent series of plays, tracing the journey of the Wise Men.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 6min
Actors: 3M

Details: Barry Brannen; Scripts Since 2007; 02 June 2009

Summary: a humorous take on Christmas, with TV presenters and all the usual cast.
Style: Humorous. Duration: 15min.
Actors: 7M, 4F, 4M/F.

Details: Jo Bower; Scripts Since 2007; 29 October 2008

Summary: The cast of a church production of the Nativity play are in the throes of rehearsal. In the first scene, semi chaos reigns. In the second scene, as the cast perform for real, there is a completely different atmosphere.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 50min (?)
Characters: 1N, 7M, 2F, 4M/F, +V
To download a copy of the script, CLICK HERE .

Details: Brian Alleyne; Scripts Since 2007; 11 October 2008

Summary: A version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with a Barbados accent.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: Approx 60min
Characters: 7M, 3F, 2M/F, 5C, +V
To download a copy of the script, CLICK HERE .

Details: Michael M. Jessup; Scripts Since 2007; 07 September 2008

Summary: This is a tribute to several classic Christmas movies with a twist. Inspired by A Christmas Carol, Elf, A Christmas Story, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Susan is searching for the true meaning of Christmas, and after visiting the lives of classic movie characters, realizes that Christmas is really a relationship with Christ. Could be used as a sequel to Making Room.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 60min approx.
Actors: 4F, 6M, 1VO, 1N
To download a copy of the script, click here .

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 29 July 2008

Summary: In this musical, the actors and actresses will never have rehearsed, will not know their lines, and will be chosen the day of the performance!! The story of Jesus is told by an adult who is the travel "guide" on the story's path. As the story develops, the guide calls on unsuspecting "volunteers" to come up and take on the various roles of the characters in the story - providing hilarious but inspiring results! Throughout the story the children sing easy-to-learn, fun songs.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 30min (?)
Note: The full script, plus CDs with music tracks, can be obtained from www.lorraymusicals.com

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 29 July 2008

Summary: The three Wexler children are mad. Mad because mom is making them go to Christmas Eve service, because grandma insists. So when the three go to the hall closet to get their coats and find a pine branch sticking out from the garments, their curiosity gets the best of them and into closet they go, only to stumble into a strange and magical land. Here they meet Diego, a very impatient angel who will accompany them on a strange and wonderful mission to the town of Bethlehem, and to the place where Christmas was born. . . and in the process they discover the special task that God has in store for them! Keywords : Christmas, Narnia, magic land
Style: Dramatix. Duration: Approx 45min
Characters: 4M, 5F, 2C

Details: Kerrie Polkinghorne; Scripts Since 2007; 02 June 2008

Summary : A parody of the Christmas story, as put on by the well-meaning (but dreadful) members of the South Adelaide Evangelical Ladies’ Guild Dramatic Society. Things go from bad to worse throughout the play as sets are put back to front, props go missing, actors fall sick, and escalating technical difficulties turn the classic story of Christmas into a classic mess!
Style: Lighthearted. Duration : 45min (?)
Actors: 8M, 5F, 1M/F

Details: David Jansen; Scripts Since 2007; 14 May 2008

Summary: Horace and Rachael have been partners for almost 11 years, but Horace shies away from marriage, just as he shies away from attempts by his cousin to tell him the real story of Christmas. Keywords: Commitment,
Style: Drama. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Details: Daniel Carlson; Scripts Since 2007; 08 May 2008

Summary: A light-hearted sketch in verse about how the modern trappings of Christmas prevent us from recognising the original story and the true meaning. Keywords: Christmas, no room
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 7min
Actors: 13M/F or 13C
Scripture reference: Luke 2:4-7 (very loosely)

Details: Terri Savage; Scripts Since 2007; 14 March 2008

Summary: When her children approach her with their "Christmas Lists", the mother decides it's time for a good heart-to-heart to help her kids know what Christmas is really about.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 12min
Actors: 1F, 2C

Details: Bonnie Degagne; Scripts Since 2007; 11 March 2008

Summary: Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to stay for the night. There is one room, though they don't get to stay in it - or know about it. The irony is that the room stays vacant all night while Jesus is born in the manger. Keywords: no room, Christmas, innkeeper, inn.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 9min.
Actors: 2M, 2F

Details: Paul Russell; Scripts Since 2007; 05 February 2008

Summary: This nativity style play tells the classic Christmas tale with a slight twist. The reverence and passion remains but humor and fun is combined to tell the tale of the birth of Christ with all your favorite Christmas carols. It can have a cast of over 40 or less than 10. It is designed to cater to a large class / group with all students having a part of the Christmas story to tell and / act. This play was originally performed in Australia where Christmas is often over 40°c.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 20min
Actors: Flexible cast, from 10-40

Details: Fred Lane; Scripts Since 2007; 04 December 2007

Summary: Mother and daughter are wrapping a Christmas gift to a relative. Mother insists on correct wrapping technique, and daughter wonders why a gift should be given to someone they obviously don’t like.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min
Actors : 2F

Details: Fred Lane; Scripts Since 2007; 04 December 2007

Summary: A girl’s dad sends her a video letter from Iraq.
Style : Dramatic. Duration : 4min
Actors : 1M, 1VO

Details: Fred Lane; Scripts Since 2007; 04 December 2007

Summary: The birth of Jesus set in modern day. What would happen if Jesus were born from a virgin, conceived thru an angel today?
Style: Dramatic. Duration : 7min
Actors: 3-4F, 1M

Details: Fred Lane; Scripts Since 2007; 04 December 2007

Summary: Teens are riding in a car at night when an idiot light comes on. The star of Bethlehem was our “idiot light” to remind people that Christ was coming.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 5min
Actors: 3M

Details: Raelene Purtill; Scripts Since 2007; 30 November 2007

Summary: One side of a phone conversation in which an angel is on line organising the first Christmas. Keywords: First Christmas, angels, heaven.
Style: Humorous. Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M/F

Details: Nancy Bucca; Scripts Since 2007; 19 November 2007

Summary : Based loosely on Luke 15:25-32, this play gives a glimpse into the life of Stan, the
epitome of the prodigal son's older brother, seen several years following his brother Chip's
conversion to Christ. Stan is the 'Scrooge of another kind,' boasting of his own generosity while accusing others of using their generosity to 'buy people off.' But he is the one knocking himself out in vain to please other people, and buying them off. Because of hidden hurts, he has become more concerned over keeping his precious family heirloom intact than with mending the broken relationships within his own family. Keywords: Prodigal Son, elder brother, family relationships.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 40min (?)
Actors: 3M, 4F, 3C
To download this script, CLICK HERE .

Details: Ronn Gordon; Scripts Since 2007; 08 November 2007

Summary: Three ladies discuss the merit of three men coming to honor the baby Jesus. We learn that the magi had the right idea after all.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 5min
Actors: 3F

Details: Buddy Reaves; Scripts Since 2007; 26 October 2007

Summary: It’s Christmas eve. A group of church carolers set out to do the same thing they have done for so many years in the past… an act of “service” so they can get on with the holiday. They are unaware of what is about to take place. Their lives are about to change….and so are others. The main thrust of this play is evangelism and celebrating Christmas by reaching out to others as Christ did. The unique twist is the audience becomes part of the play at the end. Keywords: Christmas, outreach, mission
Style: Drama. Duration: Approx. 45min
Actors: 8 M, 4 F, 5 C
Scripture reference: John 3:16, Matt. 25:34-45

To download this script, CLICK HERE .

Details: Jennie Chappell; Scripts Since 2007; 04 October 2007

Summary: Middle-aged Marjorie is asked to play a part in the Sunday School Christmas play. Puffed up with pride, she wrongly imagines that she has a starring role. She is therefore shocked to find that the BOAD is in fact the backend-of-a-donkey. The play was first performed by a church women’s group which is why the main characters are female in this script, but some could be male. Keywords: pride, Christmas, pageant.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1N, 4F, 1M, 3M/F
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 29:23

Details: Will Sloan; Scripts Since 2007; 28 September 2007

Summary: This is a show to highlight the point that Jesus is the reason for the season. Imagine what happens when Santa gets too wrapped up in his work to tell his own son what Christmas is really about.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 45min
Actors: 7M, 3F, 1M/F + V
To download the script, click here (rtf file)

Details: Barry Brannen; Scripts Since 2007; 28 September 2007

Summary: A senior devil & junior devil devise a plan to ensure the real message of Christmas is kept hidden from the masses. Obvious nod to CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. Keywords: Christmas, Screwtape, devils, deception, "reason for the season".
Style: lighthearted. Duration: 12min
Actors: 3M, 1F, 1M/F

Details: Ray Lombardi; Scripts Since 2007; 31 August 2007

A children’s Christmas Musical
Summary: Mary and Joseph are preparing to leave for Bethlehem. They stop into a rental shop to arrange transportation, and broker a unique deal with the proprietor: a free, round-trip rental of a stubborn old mule in exchange for Mary and Joseph escorting the shop owner’s children to Bethlehem. Along the way the children discover that Mary is going to give birth to Jesus, and by the time the trip is finished they will have come to understand that the trip they took would be the greatest experience of their lives, and would change their future forever!
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 60min??
Actors: 8M, 3F +C

Details: Mark Peterson; Scripts Since 2007; 26 August 2007

Summary: This skit takes a look at how the birth of Jesus may have looked if it had occurred in the modern southern hemisphere summer. Keywords:
Style: Lighthearted style. Duration :35 to 45 minutes.
Actors: N, 5M, 2F.

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