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
Characters / Performer / Sex / Costume
TV Host (Daniel) M Modern
TV ad presenter F Modern
Reporter (Aaron) M/F Modern
Shepherd (Jordan) M/F Ancient
Gamaliel M Ancient
Mary F Ancient
Joseph M Ancient
Centurian M Roman
Herod M Royal
Balthazar M Wise men
Caspar M Wise men
Melchoir M Wise men
Stage Setting: one side of the stage is a TV studio containing a table for TV host and panelist. The other side will be used as a variety of settings.
Note: Following is Scene 1 of the play. The full script can be downloaded from the link at the foot.
Intro music.
SFX Network Broadcast Intro Music
TV HOST: Good evening. Thank you for tuning in to Live… from Bethlehem. The fields outside of town are ablaze with excitement. We have received reports of God at works in ways not seen in generations, lighting up the sky with Heavenly glory…
Female showing off a shepherd’s hook for the ad.
SFX Ad Read Background Music
TV HOST: …but first, this broadcast is brought to you by Mr. Crook’s Shepard Hooks, perfect for beating back bears, lashing lions, and easing your trek from tent to field. Mr. Crook uses local olive wood, making his hooks 4x stronger than the average stick. So when you give your old hook a good long look and decide it’s finally cooked, call Mr. Crook.
TV HOST: Let’s go live to the scene with all the action, the Shepard’s fields just outside of town.
SFX Shepard’s Field Background Music
REPORTER: Thank you Daniel. I’m east of Bethlehem in the rolling shepherd’s hills. With me is Jordan, the shepherd who reported the sighting of a heavenly host of Angels. Jordan, you work in the area?
SHEPHERD: Yes, I’ve been a shepherd here for over 20 years. I keep watch over the temple flocks.
REPORTER: And what were you doing when the angels appeared?
SHEPHERD: I was just minding my own business like any other night. I was keeping a vigilant eye on the sheep from that tree right over there when I noticed a star flash. It started to grow brighter, slowly at first, but then faster and faster until the entire sky became bright as day!
REPORTER: Incredible. Do you think what you saw could have been some natural event, perhaps a comet?
SHEPHERD: No no, you don’t understand. This was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. After the light, then came the angels, the whole sky full of them! They were robed in white, singing glory to God more beautifully than you can imagine.
REPORTER: Maybe a dream then? You did say you were resting under a tree.
SHEPHERD: It couldn’t be because I woke up fr– maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this. Well, sometimes watching the sheep, counting to make sure they are all accounted for, 1, 2, 3… can make you a bit… yawn…
REPORTER: …sleepy?
SHEPHERD: …yes. I know it couldn’t have been a dream because I… might have already dozed off, and that first flash, that woke me up. Suddenly all my senses were overwhelmed with the light and the singing, and I couldn’t have dreamt what they said next. Their words are burned into my memory: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
REPORTER: So if you weren’t dreaming, surely you went to Bethlehem to confirm these things.
SHEPHERD: Right away, and I found the baby just as the angels foretold. Come, I can take you there.
REPORTER: Right.
Reporter looks to the audience.
REPORTER: Cut to me in 5. I’m headed that way! Back to you Daniel.
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This is not the full script. That can be obtained free of charge by contacting the author at
NOTE: Supporting files for the complete play can be downloaded free of charge from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u3Z18BX0P74zqNBskonqjLCEqhjfu-4P/view?usp=sharing
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© Copyright Alexander Perry, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: