Christmas and New Year

Summary: Shortly before Christmas last year, my husband told me that that day’s portion of Our Daily Bread said the word translated “inn” in the second chapter of Luke in many older versions of scripture might better be translated as “guest room,” and that Mary and Joseph were hoping to stay at a relative’s house. Instead, they got to stay in a relative’s stable, with the animals, one hopes, turned out for the occasion.

A few days later, I was looking at our nativity scene and realized that many of the figures in it, while traditional, probably aren’t accurate. I doubt the shepherds brought their sheep with them, but there might have been some belonging to the household, together with an ox or two and perhaps some goats. We don’t know. As for the donkey, scripture never mentions it. I’d like to think heavily pregnant Mary had a ride, but we know she and Joseph were poor, so she may have had to walk all the way. Another thing unmentioned is whether Mary had any help going through labour. Surely so! This is how I imagine it might have played out.

Note: The song verses can be left out or changed for others. I’ve chosen ones in the public domain.

Style: Light-hearted, humor               Duration: 15 minutes
Actors: 8F
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:2 (All scripture is taken from the New International Version, 2011 edition.)

Summary: This play is based on the account of Jesus’s birth as told in the gospel of Matthew. It is designed to not be a Hallmark card of a play. The story begins with Mary and Joseph being chased out of their hometown because of the scandal of Mary’s pregnancy. It introduces Herod and a teacher of the Jewish Law, who discuss the political implications of a messiah and messianic prophecy. The arrival of three bumbling wise men at Herod’s court makes him even more paranoid, and he sends them to find the baby Jesus, who is now one year old or so. There is a beautiful moment near the end of the play in which we see that Jesus, even in his birth and childhood, was part of a story that valued the poor and foreigners.
In terms of formatting, between the acts there is a bit of poetry which can be omitted at the director’s discretion, but it provides some context and summary. It’s a good minor role for people who want to be a part of the production but not memorize lines or act.
Mary and Joseph scenes are pretty typical of Christmas plays, with narration and drama. The wise men are comic relief who, at the suggestion of the original cast, speak in some version of California English. Their scenes are usually light hearted and silly. Herod and the Pharisee are serious characters, the former an unbalanced and paranoid king with an ominous presence and the latter a person who hates Herod and yet is bound to serve his people by associating with him. I’ve written the play with language assuming that every character is their traditional gender, but there is no reason that has to be the case. Feel free to adapt the script for your own needs.

Style: Drama, with light touches.     Duration: 30min?
Actors: 2F, 9M, + Chorus/poetry readers

Summary: Sometimes you can be in the middle of an historic event and completely miss the significance.
Style: Humour     Duration : 12min
Actors: 3F, 5M

Summary: Faithful: A Nativity Story retells the Christmas story by highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to send a Savior. After Mary reveals that she is miraculously pregnant through the Holy Spirit, Joseph struggles to believe her but chooses compassion, and later an angel confirms that the child is the promised Messiah. Despite rejection, hardship, and a difficult journey to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph remain faithful to God and trust Him to provide. Their faith is rewarded with the birth of Jesus, whose arrival fulfills God's long-awaited promise of salvation and points forward to His death and resurrection for humanity's redemption.
Style: Dramatic                   Duration: 10-15 minutes 
Characters: 3W, 3M, 2N, Shepherds (various ages, flexible number)

Summary: The Innkeeper’s Wife tells the story of Tikvah, an exhausted innkeeper’s wife in Bethlehem who struggles to care for an overcrowded house during the Roman census. When a young pregnant couple, Mary and Joseph, arrive with nowhere to stay, Tikvah reluctantly allows her husband to shelter them in the stable. After the baby is born, news spreads that the child is the promised Messiah, and shepherds arrive after being visited by angels. Seeing Jesus for herself, Tikvah’s doubts and bitterness are replaced by renewed faith as she realizes that God has not abandoned His people.
Style: Drama. Duration: 8-10 minutes
Actors: 3W, 2 girls (teens or older children), 3M, 2 shepherds (either gender, can be played by teens or older children)
Scriptures: Luke 2:1-20 (the primary source for the Nativity events); Micah 5:2 (Messiah born in Bethlehem); Isaiah 9:6 (Prince of Peace); 1 Kings 17:2-16 (Elijah provided for by God); Genesis 50:20 (God turning evil into good through Joseph)

A video of a performance of the script can be seen at https://vimeo.com/1042188175?fl=pl&fe=sh 

Summary: The Lamb of God: A Christmas Story follows Jacob, a young shepherd boy who is frustrated with following his father Simon into the family shepherding business. As Simon teaches him about the importance of shepherds and the sacrificial lambs offered for the sins of God’s people, Jacob begins to understand the significance of their work. One night, after an angel announces the birth of the Savior, Simon and the other shepherds rush to Bethlehem to find the promised Messiah. There they discover the baby Jesus lying in a manger and realize that He is the true “Lamb of God” who will take away the sins of the world. Witnessing this miracle transforms Jacob’s perspective, filling him with pride in his calling and hope in God’s plan of redemption.

Style: Dramatic. Duration: 8-10 minutes 

Actors: 2F, 4F (2 can be teens), 1 boy 

Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1-24 (The Fall and entrance of sin)
Genesis 3:21 (God's provision through sacrifice)
Genesis 22:7-14 (Substitutionary sacrifice)
Exodus 12:1-13 (Passover lamb)
Leviticus 16:15-22 (Day of Atonement)
1 Samuel 16:11; 17:34-37 (David the shepherd)
Isaiah 53:6-7 (The suffering lamb)
Luke 2:7-20 (The shepherds and the Nativity story)
John 1:29 (Jesus as the Lamb of God)
Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:1-14 (Christ as the final sacrifice)
1 Peter 1:18-19 (The spotless Lamb)

A video of a performance of the script can be seen at https://vimeo.com/894708863?fl=pl&fe=sh

ANOTHER TOY STORY “THE COLLECTABLES” By Larry Dye A play in two Acts (Freeview of the first scene) Synopsis Sheriff Goody, J.I. Jill, Rap the Raptor, Bobbie Doll,…

Summary: The Lamb of God: A Christmas Story follows Jacob, a young shepherd boy who is frustrated with following his father Simon into the family shepherding business. As Simon teaches him about the importance of shepherds and the sacrificial lambs offered for the sins of God’s people, Jacob begins to understand the significance of their work. One night, after an angel announces the birth of the Savior, Simon and the other shepherds rush to Bethlehem to find the promised Messiah. There they discover the baby Jesus lying in a manger and realize that He is the true “Lamb of God” who will take away the sins of the world. Witnessing this miracle transforms Jacob’s perspective, filling him with pride in his calling and hope in God’s plan of redemption.
Style: Dramatic.       Duration: 8-10 minutes
Actors: 2F, 4F (2 can be teens), 1 boy
Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1-24 (The Fall and entrance of sin)
Genesis 3:21 (God's provision through sacrifice)
Genesis 22:7-14 (Substitutionary sacrifice)
Exodus 12:1-13 (Passover lamb)
Leviticus 16:15-22 (Day of Atonement)
1 Samuel 16:11; 17:34-37 (David the shepherd)
Isaiah 53:6-7 (The suffering lamb)
Luke 2:7-20 (The shepherds and the Nativity story)
John 1:29 (Jesus as the Lamb of God)
Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:1-14 (Christ as the final sacrifice)
1 Peter 1:18-19 (The spotless Lamb)

A video of a performance of the script can be seen at https://vimeo.com/894708863?fl=pl&fe=sh

Summary: A Bethlehem news station received word that the sky is shinning like never before! Join the reporter as he searches for the baby the light illuminates, uncovers gripping gossip, and seeks to answer the pivotal question: could this be the child the prophecies foretell? Tune in to find out!
Style: Dramatic Musical.           Duration:  30mins without hymns.
Actors:  8 M, 2F, 2 M/F; doubling possible

Props -2 chairs and a table, a tray with tea things and a plate of biscuits. (Feel free to change date and those in the news as appropriate to current time) A: (Talking…

(Titles up on video screen) (Host Bo DeBunk and his guests are seated around a table each with their own mic. Theme music plays) DEBUNK: Hi everyone, and welcome to…

  In the beginning the Word already existed, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became human and made His home among us. So shall my Word go…