Simple Nativity Play for ages 3-11
Scene 2: The birth of Jesus
Cast: Narrator, Emperor Augustus, Minions, Travelling people, child 1, child 2, Joseph, Mary, Innkeeper, Registrar Positions: Emperor in centre of stage with Minions (as many children as you want). Travelling people with suitcases sitting off to one side. Mary and Joseph with them but sitting slightly apart also with suitcases. Child 1 & Child 2 are off to the other side, standing and just watching. Props: Sign “To Bethlehem” with arrow, on a pole, carried by a child. Table for Registration on opposite side of stage from travellers. With chair for Registrar. We begin with Augustus standing stage centre. |
||
Narrator |
Luke 2:1 |
1 At that time Emperor Augustus |
Augustus |
|
Augustus – thats me |
Narrator |
Luke 2:1 |
ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. |
Child 1 |
What's a census? |
|
Narrator |
It's when everyone gets counted |
|
Child 1 |
Oh! |
|
Augustus |
1, 2, 3, 4... |
|
Narrator |
Luke 2:2-3 |
2 When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 3 Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own home town. |
|
Travelling crowds move off, in different directions |
|
Narrator |
Luke 2:4 |
4 Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. |
|
Joseph & Mary stand up and pick up bags. |
|
Narrator |
Luke 2:5 |
5 He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant. |
|
Bethlehem sign pops up, and Mary & Joseph follow it across the stage to the table for Registration. The sit on the other side from the Registrar, and act out signing some forms. |
|
Narrator |
I'm afraid the Bible doesn't mention a donkey |
|
Joseph |
Here at last, let’s find a room for the night |
|
|
Innkeeper appears next to Registrar. Joseph knocks on the table, and the Innkeeper shakes his head several times. A manger is surreptitiously placed on the stage, off to one side. Mary and Joseph shrug, and sit next to the manger. |
|
Narrator |
Luke 2:6 |
... and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. |
|
Mary puts a baby doll (previously hidden somewhere) in the manger |
|
Narrator |
Luke 2:7 |
She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger - there was no room for them to stay in the inn. |