The Nativity PLEASE NOTE, WHERE IT SAYS ALL- THIS MEANS AUDIENCE

(Begin with clild singing 1st verse of Silent Night to audience. All to join in after 1st verse.) (Mary and Joseph walk onto scene during last verse. Mary remains standing and Joseph walks to the corner of the stage.) Narrator: This is the story of the very first Christmas. (Pause: Mary and Joseph begin to mime sweeping and hammering) It happened more than two thousand years ago in a town called Nazareth, where a lady called Mary lived with her husband Joseph. One day an angel visited Mary to tell her some very special news. (Angel Gabriel walks onto stage. Mary stops sweeping to listen to the angel.) Angel: Do not worry Mary. You are going to have a very special baby. He is to be called Jesus. (Angel leaves stage, Mary and Joseph stand together) Narrator: Soon after, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. It was a long, hard journey and Mary rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. (During Little Donkey, Mary & Joseph walk round the stage, accompanied by donkey.) Song: Little Donkey- children Narrator: By the time they reached Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were very tired and they needed to find a place to sleep. But the town was full of people and everywhere they went they were told that there was no room for them. (Mary and Joseph walk round the stage looking tired) Song: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem- all (Innkeepers arrive on stage during last verse.) (Mary and Joseph stop at 1st innkeeper and knock on the door) Joseph: My wife is going to have a baby and we are very tired. Have you any room? Innkeeper 1: Sorry, there is NO room in my inn. Joseph: My wife is going to have a baby and we are very tired. Have you any room? Innkeeper 2: Sorry, there is NO room in my inn.

Joseph: My wife is going to have a baby and we are very tired. Have you any room? Innkeeper 3: Yes, there is somewhere you could sleep. Follow me. (Innkeeper 3 leads Mary and Joseph round the stage. Other innkeepers move to sit on the edge of the stage) Narrator: One innkeeper saw just how tired Mary and Joseph were, and he remembered he had a stable where he kept his animals. It would be warm and dry. He said they could sleep there. (Mary and Joseph arrive, followed by animals that have followed innkeeper. Innkeeper sits on edge of stage with other innkeepers.) Narrator: Joseph made a bed of hay for Mary. The donkey, the cows, chicks and other animals came to watch over Mary. It seemed as if every creature wanted to see what was happening in this special place. Hustle and bustle as cat and mouse arrive- Cat chases mouse down aisles and round into stable were it is quiet and peaceful, as Jesus has been born. Other animals turn to tell cat and mouse to shh. Cat and mouse stand together as friends.) Narrator: That night Marys baby was born. They wrapped the baby Jesus in warm clothes and laid him in a manger where hay had been put for the animals. Song: Away in a manger- children (Shepherds arrive and walk round stage to stand in front of stable scene- Mary, Joseph and animals sit down and are still and silent) Narrator: On a hillside near Bethlehem some shepherds were watching over their sheep through the night. Suddenly there was a bright light and angels came to them. One angel said: Angel: Dont be afraid. Jesus as been born and you will find him in a stable in Bethlehem. Song: While shepherds watched- all (Shepherds and sheep follow angels round stage to the stable where they join other animals.) Narrator: The shepherds were very happy at the good news and went to Bethlehem to find the stable. When they got there they saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger. (Music played for stars to dance onto stage, ready for kings. All sit at the end apart from one who stays standing) Narrator: Far away in the East, a bright new star appeared in the sky. Three Wise Men saw the star and they knew it was to tell them that a new baby King had been born.

Song: We Three Kings- all Narrator: Night after night they rode on their camels and followed the star, until it finally stopped over the stable where Jesus had been born. (Stars lead wise men to Jesus in the stable. Stars join back of scene, wise men present gifts to Jesus) Narrator: The three Wise Men went into the stable and saw their baby king. They gave him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Narrator: All the animals and all the people in the stable knew that a very special baby had been born. They watched very quietly as the baby Jesus slept in the manger. Song: Silent night- children Narrator: Please bow your heads for our prayer:

Thank you all for coming this evening. I hope you have enjoyed our version of the first Christmas. Please join us now singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas