(Based on Luke 1:8 – 2:21)
Notes
- A narrator reads the first line and the whole group echoes that line (unless an individual voice is indicated) with the stated action.
- During the individual voices the whole group does the action stated.
- Individual voices respond as part of the group for the rest of the drama and step away from the group for their solo section.
- INDIVIDUAL VOICES: Zechariah, Gabriel, Mary, Angel
- Shepherds crooks in part 4 are optional for younger age groups! Adjust any actions necessary to suit your age group.
- A leader facing the children, so they can copy the actions, works well for a group with younger children. Also, having adult helpers as part of the group gives a nice intergenerational feel to the story presentation.
- For a group of older children, the actions can be made more complicated and rehearsed to be well synchronised to achieve a good visual effect.
Part 1
[Narrator:] Long, long ago
[Group:] Long, long ago *hand wave back over shoulder*
Zechariah had a visitor
Zechariah had a visitor *hands up in surprise*
Narrator: The visitor said:
Gabriel: Your wife Elizabeth will have a son! *arms rocking baby*
Narrator: Zechariah said:
Zechariah: No way! We’re tooooo old *shake head, slump shoulders*
Zechariah should have believed
Zechariah should have believed *nod head wisely*
God’s messenger spoke the truth
God’s messenger spoke the truth *both thumbs up*
No more speaking for Zech…
No more speaking for Zech… *zip mouth*
not a word!
not a word! *Zechariah opens mouth, group shakes finger at him*
Until that special son’s birth!
Until that special son’s birth! *circling hand*
Part 2
Long, long ago
Long, long ago *hand wave back over shoulder*
Mary had a visitor
Mary had a visitor *hands up in surprise*
Narrator: The visitor said:
Gabriel: You’re going to have a son! *arms rocking baby*
Narrator: Mary said:
Mary: How can that be? *hands palm up, shoulders shrug*
Narrator: Gabriel said:
Gabriel: With God nothing is impossible *swing right arm out, then left arm*
Mary believed and accepted God’s will
Mary believed and accepted God’s will *kneels with praying hands*
Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth
Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth *fingers walking on arm*
Elizabeth felt her babe leap for joy
Elizabeth felt her babe leap for joy *touch tummy and jump up*
The babe knew who Mary’s baby was
The babe knew who Mary’s baby was *point to tummy*
Elizabeth knew who Mary’s baby was
Elizabeth knew who Mary’s baby was *nod and point to head*
Mary knew who her baby was
Mary knew who her baby was! *nod with hands on heart*
And she praised God and rejoiced
And she praised God and rejoiced *face and hands raised up*
Soon, soon after
Soon, soon after *hand waves forwards*
Zechariah praised and rejoiced
Zechariah praised and rejoiced *face and hands raised up*
For the birth of his son, John
For the birth of his son, John *arms rock baby*
And the return of his voice
And the return of his voice! *thumbs up*
(Zechariah: I can talk!)
Narrator: Zechariah said:
Zechariah: This child will prepare the way *hands making road*
Zechariah: For the one bringing God’s salvation *hands rising up*
Part 3
Long, long ago
Long, long ago *hand wave back over shoulder*
Caesar gave an order
Caesar gave an order *finger pointing*
Everyone had to enrol
Everyone had to enrol *mime scribbling on note pad*
In their home city
In their home city *marching on spot getting slower and tired*
To be counted
To be counted *stand still while child counts*
Mary and Joseph travelled far
Mary and Joseph travelled far *riding*
Bethlehem was the destination
Bethlehem was the destination *pointing with arm arching over*
And in that town
And in that town *roof shaped arms*
Outside the inn
Outside the inn *take down roof; half shrug*
Amongst the straw
Amongst the straw *one knee down, hands spreading*
Surrounded by animals
Surrounded by animals *other knee down, lean forwards*
(Optional: soft animal noises)
The babe was born
The babe was born *rock baby*
Part 4
Out in the field
Out in the field *stand up, hand to eyes, peering into distance*
Shepherds watched their sheep
Shepherds watched their sheep *pick up shepherd’s crooks, looking nearby*
Suddenly the night glowed bright
Suddenly the night glowed bright *cover eyes*
Giving the shepherds an awesome fright
Giving the shepherds an awesome fright *cowering behind crook*
Then came a voice from the light
Then came a voice from the light..? *partly uncover eyes, hand to ear*
Narrator: An angel said:
Angel: Don’t be afraid! *hands away from face*
Angel: I am bringing you good news of great joy *look at angel*
Angel: for all the people: *look at each other*
Angel: to you is born this day *looking less afraid*
Angel: in the city of David *looking excited*
Angel: a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. *looking excited*
Angel: You will find him wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger *standing up*
Many other angels appeared
Many other angels appeared *drop shepherds crooks, arms wide, staring up*
They praised God saying: Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest *arms of blessing*
and peace to his people on earth
and peace to his people on earth *arms of blessing*
Then the angels went away
Then the angels went away *lower hands, looking up*
The shepherds were amazed
We’re amazed! *hands palm up*
Let’s go over to Bethlehem
Let’s go over to Bethlehem *point with arm arching over*
And see this amazing thing
And see this amazing thing *hands by eyes*
Which God himself has made known to us
Which God himself has made known to us *hand points up then to self*
They hurried to Bethlehem
They hurried to Bethlehem *quick steps*
They saw the babe
They saw the babe *rocking baby*
Outside the inn
Outside the inn *make roof then pull hands down*
Amongst the straw
Amongst the straw *lean forwards, hands spreading*
Surrounded by animals
Surrounded by animals *round arms*
And all who heard their story
And all who heard their story *hands to ears*
Were full of wonder
Were full of wonder *hands on heart*
About the special babe
About the special babe *point to stable scene OR hold baby*
And his name was
And his name was..? *hand to ear nearest narrator*
Jesus
Jesus *worshipfully, hands presenting gift*