Introducing this “Nativity Story with a Modern Twist,” author Joy Kingsbury-Aitken writes – “Each year churches use nativity plays to involve their children in the telling of the story of the first Christmas. Finding creative new ways of doing this is often challenging. This version locates the story in our time and our place and in our summer.”
A 5-page pdf can be downloaded here.
In 2011, Joy Kingsbury-Aitken wrote the service-length drama, “A Birth in Bethlehem – A Nativity Play,” with church youth groups in mind, and including congregational singing of hymns and carols between scenes. You can obtain a pdf of this 25-page drama here.
[A full script, in pdf, for this Palm/Passion Sunday drama can be obtained here.]
Dramatis Personae
Shelah (owner of the donkey)
Peleg (owner of the oil press at Gethsemane)
Messenger (servant of Simon the Leper)Martha of Bethany
Mary of Bethany
Simon the Leper
Simon Peter (disciple)
James son of Zebedee (disciple)
John son of Zebedee (disciple)
Judas Iscariot (disciple)
Thomas (disciple)
Jesus of Nazareth
Lazarus of Bethany
Andrew (disciple)
Philip (disciple)
The Crowd
Pharisees
Narrator
Scene One
The Village of Bethphage. Two men (Shelah and Peleg) are admiring the new donkey that Shelah and his family have just acquired.
Peleg: He’s a nice looking donkey, Shelah. He’ll serve you and your family well for many years to come.
Shelah: I hope so. I had to pay a substantial part of last year’s harvest for him. He’s a young one, never ridden, but seems to have a placid temperament.
A messenger approaches the men.
Messenger: I’m looking for Peleg the owner of the oil press in Gethsemane. I was told he was visiting his friend Shelah in Bethphage. Do you know where I might find him?
Peleg: I’m Peleg, and this is Shelah my friend. What do you want with me?
Messenger: I have an invitation to a dinner party for you, and for your friend too.
Peleg: Who is having a dinner party?
Messenger: Lazarus of Bethany and his family. The prophet from Galilee and his disciples will be there. Lazarus wants all his friends to meet Jesus. ….
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A full script, in pdf, for the Palm/Passion Sunday drama can be obtained here.
From Rev Silvia Purdie, Minister at Cashmere Presbyterian Church, Christchurch – http://www.conversations.net.nz/ (24 Nov 2017)
“The Angels’ Big Entrance” is a brand new nativity play – which means that it has all your favourite Christmas characters, includes various carols, and ends with the “ohhh” moment as the nativity scene is formed at the front. It has 5 speaking parts, plus you can involve as many children or whatever ages as show up on the day without needing rehearing. This play is from the perspective of the angels: there’s Gabriel keen for his big moment, and 2 assistant angels running around trying to find out where the Messiah will be born.
