Christmas Eve Program

Nativity Script: 

Actors with speaking parts: 

Narrator
Mary
Angel Gabriel
Shepherd
Wiseman

Non speaking parts: Baby Jesus (doll), Angels, Wisemen, donkey, sheep, etc.

Scene 1: Narrator, Angel, and Mary

Narrator (Luke 1:26-28): Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

[Direction: Angel Gabriel comes; Mary should show fear at first seeing him]

Angel (v. 28, 30-32): Blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be called the Son of the Highest.

Mary (v. 34): How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Angel (v. 35, 37): The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Mary (v. 38, 46, 48): Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Scene 2: Narrator, Mary, Joseph

Narrator (Luke 2:1, 4-5): And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:), To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

[Direction: Joseph and Mary (pregnant) should come in on donkey.] 

Song: O LittleTown of Bethlehem (Hymns #208)

Narrator (v. 6-7): And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[Direction: Mary should put a baby doll in a manger-like setup.] 

Song: “Away in a Manger” (Hymns #206) 

Scene 3: Narrator, Angel, Shepherds

[Direction: Shepherds in place with sheep.]

Narrator (v. 8-9): And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[Direction: While Narrator is speaking, Angel should appear, and Shepherds should show fear.] 

Song: “The First Noel” (Hymns #213) 

Narrator (v. 10): And the angel said unto them,

Angel (v. 10-12): Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Narrator (v. 13): And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Angel (v. 14): Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Song: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Hymns #203) or “Hark! The HeraldAngels Sing” (Hymns #209)

[Direction: Angels exit]

Narrator (v. 15): And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,

Shepherds (v. 15): Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

[Direction: Shepherds “make haste” and approach manger.]

Narrator (v. 17-18, 20, 19): And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

[Direction: Shepherds go away praising]

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

Song: “Silent Night” (Hymns #204)

Scene 4: Narrator, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Three Wise Men

[Direction: Wise Men enter and wander around looking for Jesus. Mary, Joseph, and baby still in place.]

Narrator (Matthew 2:1): Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

Wise Men (v. 2): Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Narrator (v. 9-11): And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

Song: “With Wondering Awe” (Hymns #210 or "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (#202)

Narrator (v. 11-12): And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And they departed into their own country.

[Direction: Wise Men exit.]

(Luke 2:40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 

Closing Song: “Joy to the World” (Hymns #201)