The Christmas Pageant

Jeanne McIntosh 2011

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

Total Cast (12) Stephen - Shepherd 1 ____________________________________________ Caleb - Shepherd 2 ______________________________________________ Josh - Shepherd 3 _______________________________________________ Zack - Wiseman 1 ________________________________________________ Kendra - Wiseman 2 ______________________________________________ Alex - Wiseman 3 ________________________________________________ Dana - Angel 1 __________________________________________________ Aubrey - Angel 2 _________________________________________________ Michael - Angel 3 ________________________________________________ Elisa - Mary _____________________________________________________ Austin - Joseph __________________________________________________ Ms. Hawkins Narrator & Drama Teacher ____________________________

ABOUT: Ms Hawkins and her drama class are practicing a play for Christmas. She is assigning parts and the kids will be practicing the play in her classroom. This is a simple play that requires little memorization. Settings include a regular classroom and the manger scene. The kids wear biblical costumes during the rehearsal part of the play. This is the traditional Christmas story done in a fun way to make it interesting and easy for kids to perform. Music can be added throughout the play or left out whichever you prefer and according to what works best for your children. This can be performed in a Christian school or a church. God bless you this season! Music CD A Big Barrel of Carols (Gods Kids Worship) order online Very upbeat music attractive to kids. Use music or leave it out. Use the same kids in the cast, or select different ones to sing the choir songs. CD Cost $30.00. CHOIR: Joy to the World

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

SCENE 1 The drama teacher is deciding with her class who will be assigned certain roles for the Christmas Pageant. The kids are having some difficulty deciding who will read what parts. Setting: Music/Drama Classroom with a teacher's desk and chairs for students. Place items around that would be in a music & drama room (Costumes, wigs, masks, keyboard, music notations, and dry erase board with all parts listed in order to put names for roles as assigned) Drama Teacher: Today we will be assigning parts for the Christmas Pageant. Everyone who is interested is welcome to participate. We have plenty roles and will need all these filled by today in order to begin our practice next week. Pass out the parts as they are assigned. Zack: I want to be a Wiseman. DT: Zack, what makes that part so interesting to you? Zack: Because everyone tells me I am always making wise cracks. DT: Is that what you think a Wiseman does? Zack: Dun no. (Shrugs shoulders) I think it's cool to wear those big tall hats and ride a donkey. Elisa: That is a dumb reason. Zack: You stay out of this. You always get the part of Mary every year. Elisa: Do not! Zack: What part did you play last year? Elisa: Mary Zack: What part did you play year before that? Elisa: Well........they needed a Mary, so I volunteered. Zack: See what I mean. DT: Zach, why don't you read Wiseman 1, and Elisa read the part of Mary. (Writes names on board) Zack: See, I told you (Glares at Elisa)

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

DT: Let's see....Stephen and Alex would you both read the other Wiseman? Kendra: Why does it always have to be boys? I want to be a Wiseman. Stephen: Youre a girl, and girls are not Wiseman. Kendra: Who made up that stupid rule? DT: I do not see why you cannot be Wiseman 2 if you would like to try that. How about it? (Write the names down for these parts) Kendra: Cool! My mom makes awesome costumes and she will enjoy making this for me. DT: Stephen, we will have you read Shepherd 1, and Alex continue as Wiseman 3. (Writes the names down) Stephen: Can Caleb and Josh be the Shepherds 2 and 3? DT: That sounds great; How about it boys? Caleb and Josh: Sure....whatever. (Writes names down) DT: Now let's see...we have Stephen, Caleb, and Josh for Shepherds, Elisa as Mary, and Zack, Kendra, and Alex as Wiseman. Kendra: Wise woman DT: Right...must get that correct next time. Austin, would you be willing to read the part of Joseph for us? Austin: I guess...I am not good at reading plays. DT: Some of the Bible words are difficult for me as well. I will help you and give you plenty of time for practice. How about it? Austin: Do I have to? DT: We really need your help, and this will give you some good experience. Austin: All right. (Teacher writes down name) DT: We have three parts left - the angels. Dana: Aubrey and I want the angel roles. It does not have a lot to say or memorize. I am not good with a lot of memorization.
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

DT: That will be nice. There are only a few lines and that will work great! We still need one more angel.....(Write down the names) Dana: Michael doesnt have a part yet. Michael: Boys are not angels. That would be silly. My dad would not like that. DT: Michael was an angel in the Bible that God used for a special purpose. Michael: Your joking....Ms. Hawkins! DT: Michael was an archangel who was the commander of the Lord's army of angels. Michael: Wow! Cool! I WILL be an angel. Can I be the commander? DT: Michael worked with the other angels all together and in this script you all have a special part. Michael you will have one line to say alone. Ok? Michael: Sure thing! (Write down name) Dana: What about Baby Jesus? Who will be Baby Jesus? DT: If any of you have a younger sibling who has a doll that we can borrow maybe you can bring it to our practice. Thats it for today. We will read our lines tomorrow. This will give you some time to go over them at home this evening. I will be looking for good projection and tone. You will be using your scripts for a few weeks. (All Exit carrying school bags) SCENE 2 The Best Rehearsal The kids arrive to class dressed in their costumes. They are prepared to read though their script that they have been practicing for several weeks. They talk Ms. Hawkins in letting them actually role play. Setting: Music/Drama Classroom with a teacher's desk and chairs for students on one side of stage with a manger scene on the other side of the stage. DT: I really like the costumes that you all are wearing today. You have been working so hard the last few weeks and today I want to hear you do your best. I will allow you to use your scripts for the last time today. Next week, there will be NO scripts. All lines must be memorized. Kendra: Zack is not wearing HIS costume. DT: Zack?
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

Zack: My mom said I could not get one this week. She gets paid every other week and this week my little brother had to go to the doctor. He was sick. DT: I am really sorry to hear that Zack. I have some old costumes here in this tub.maybe you can find something in here that will work and which you like. (Zack looks in tub pulling out costumes) Zack: I like this one, Ms. Hawkins. DT: Here, let me help you get that over your clothes. It may be a snug fit, but will look nice for your role. That will work great! I like it! Alex: Do you have another one like that? This costume is so dull. DT: Alex, all the wisemen probably dressed differently, and that is ok. Your costume will work just fine. It is nice to have different costumes, and not to all look the same. Okare we ready to begin the script? Caleb: We all want to act the play out today. Kendra: Can wepleeease? It Stephen: It will be so much more fun that way, and it will help me with my lines. DT: Why notwe have the name scene here and you have your costumes. Lets do it! Go and take your places (All Exit) SCENE 3 The Birth of Jesus Narrator: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a poll to be taken throughout the Kingdom. This was the first poll since Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own family hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph and Mary traveled the town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem which was in Judah. As a descendant of David, Joseph and Mary who was pregnant with child, had to go there to pay their taxes. CHOIR: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Mary and Joseph enter walking slowly) Joseph: Mary, are you feeling well? Mary: I am a little tired, Joseph.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

Joseph: We are getting close to town, and I will stop soon to find us a room for the night. You will find rest soon. Mary: That sounds wonderful, Joseph. The baby needs to rest, too (Pats stomach) (Mary and Joseph take their place near the manger) Narrator: When Joseph and Mary arrived in town, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hotel. They had tried several places and no one had any room for Jesus. CHOIR: Away in A Manger SCENE 4 The Shepherds Get a Surprise Visit (The shepherds carry staffs and sit by a fake fire on the other side of stage across from the manger scene. Add some trees or a large piece of green material for grass. You can use sheep for grazing if you have some kids available to do this. They should wear pant and t-shirts, and made headband sheep ears. You can also put up a nighttime field scene under the dark starry skies on a PowerPoint slide if possible) CHOIR: How Great Our Joy Shepherd 1: It seems cooler this evening. Shepherd 2: I think it is so quiet. Shepherd 3: Look at all those stars. There are so many. Shepherd 1: It feels kind of creepy. Shepherd 2: Why would you say that. You are so scared of everything. Shepherd 3: Wed better keep close watch on these sheep tonight. I heard some got hurt the other evening by some wolves. Shepherd 1: Wolves! (Acts frightened. Moves closer to other shepherds) (Instrument sound) Shepherd 2: What on earth was that? Shepherd 3: Where is it coming from?

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

Shepherd 1: Who is there? (Peers out in the darkness) CHOIR: Angels From the Realms of Glory (Angels appear and Shepherds freeze in position) Narrator: Suddenly, an angel appeared among them and God's glory shone around them. They were frightened. The angel told them a message: Angel 3: Don't be afraid. I'm here to give an awesome message that is for everybody. A Savior has just been born in Bethlehem; He is the Messiah for the whole world. This is what you are to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. Narrator: All at once there were many angels like a hugh choir all singing and praising God. All Angles Recite: Glory to God in highest, and peace on earth to all who please and obey him. CHOIR: Angels We Have Heard on High (Angels take their place at the manger behind Mary and Joseph. It would be nice to have them elevated if possible behind the manger scene) Narrator: The angels disappeared, and the frightened shepherds marveled at this wonderful message. They got up and left the sheep in the field and went to find this special baby sent from God. They told everyone they saw about this strange appearance and message from the angels. They found Mary and Joseph in the manger. (Shepherds unfreeze and walk to stand at the manger) Mary: Joseph, I am amazed at all this. What does it mean? Joseph: God has sent His Son, Jesus to die for the world. He will save all people who turn to him from their sins. Mary: These are deep things that are too much for me to think about just now. CHOIR: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly SCENE 5 - The Wise Men Bring Gifts Narrator: After Jesus was born, there were some Kings who had been studying the Scripture. They had an idea about the time of Jesus birth. They wanted to come and worship the Christ Child. They began asking around about where he was - hoping to find him.
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.

Wiseman 1: Have you found out any further news regarding the where-a-bouts of this Christ Child? Wiseman 2: No, all we have to go by is a bright star that appeared in the East. Wiseman 3: How can we pay our respect if we cannot find him? Wiseman 1: I am sure he cannot be hidden from everyone. Someone has seen him. Wiseman 2: Lets follow this star and see what we find. Wiseman 3: I dont have a good feeling about our meeting with Herod. He did not seem genuine in his interest about the Child. Wiseman 1: I felt the same way. When we find the child, lets ignore Herods request to share his location. I dont think he is up to any good. Wiseman 2: Why not take some gifts to present to the Christ Child. Wiseman 3: Ill take some gold. Lets go! CHOIR: We Three Kings Narrator: The Wise men set off on their journey. They traveled a long time. Eventually to their joy, they found the Child with Mary and Joseph. They bowed low before Him and laid their gifts before him. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned in a dream, they did not return back to Herod as he has requested but went home another way to their own country. (Wisemen exit as We Three Kings music is played. There is a split track available for this) DT: I am so pleased; you have all worked so hard and done wonderful today. I am sure your parents will want to see this. So be sure and invite them. Here are flyers to give to them (Actually, give a flyer about your next event). We will present this in two weeks. Memorize you parts, and have a wonderful and merry weekend. CHOIR: We Wish You A Merry Christmas (All Exit)

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh September 20, 2011. Al rights reserved.