Script 1
Waiting Area
Parlor:
Alicia Van Husen (lead), Mandy Olivas, Sherry Colwell & Lou Matson
are parlor greeters; check-in all visitors
Tour guides dressed in Bible time’s costumes pick up their tour in
the parlor and announces their tribe name and gives them some
tribe background.
Possible conversation questions:
What town are you from? Is it a big town?
How many family members did you travel with today?
Was it a long journey to Bethlehem?
Apostles Hallway:
As tour guide talks to his/her group a townsperson town person (TP) approaches and
the two greet each other.
Tour Guides: Mark Edgar (lead), Patti Edgar, Pam Gallick, Charles Thomas
Tour Guide helpers (Sunday): Cari Chaplin, Alison King, Leigh Ann North,
(Saturday) Catherine Gibbons
Townsperson: Abby Cheek
GUIDE: to TP: I’ve never seen so many people in Bethlehem before, and it’s just
going to get even more crowded.
TP: Of course, it’s just because the Roman emperor wants to count everyone so he
can collect even more taxes!
GUIDE: to whole group: It wasn’t always like this in Israel. Long, long ago we were
free. We had our own kings. Life was good when the people and our kings listened to
God, but when we didn’t live as God wanted us to, life became harder.
TP: Speaking of life being hard, earlier today I saw a couple coming into the city – she
was riding on a donkey, but it must have been a terrible journey for her. She was with
child and it looked as though that baby could be born while they’re here in Bethlehem.
She looked very tired. The city is so crowded; I hope they found somewhere to stay.
GUIDE: Well, I hope all of you enjoy our town. There are a lot of things happening
here today.
TP leaves and moves to next group; Guide directs the group to enter Bethlehem.
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ROMAN SOLDIER Jonathan Carrell, Jason Royer, standing at entrance; reads from a
scroll.
All Hail! By order of Caesar Augustus the Emperor, it has been decreed that all men,
women and children must be registered in their own town of birth. This will be the law
of the land. All that do not obey this law will be arrested and punished to the full
extent of the law. Hail Caesar!
Roman soldier approaches tour group whose turn it is to start through Bethlehem and
gives them permission to move freely around the town.
TOUR GUIDE: Let’s go see what’s happening.
Guide leads his/her group into census area.
Script 2
Census Taker Script
“Bethlehem is Buzzing”
Props:
Booth, feather quill, scroll, costumes, Roman soldier costume
Cast:
Octavian (Roman guard) Phil Sheldon
Antonius (Census Taker) Jim Sears
Eli Halliel (townsperson) Chris Cheek
People to distribute coins to children Debbie Markley & Cassandra Cheek
Soldiers walking through census skit & marketplace: Andrew Fields, Jake
Pannell, Clayton Lawrence, Michael Loftis, Ty Masters, Carson Zabel
OCTAVIAN: Look at the crowd in the streets .That is where you sign up.
ANTONIUS: Where did he go? Eli Halliel! I know he’s around here somewhere?
Asking tour group, angrily
ANTONIUS: Have you seen Eli? Eli! Is he hiding in the marketplace?
ANTONIUS: continues making noise and talking to the tour groups until they
move closer to him.
ELI: Stop bothering these good people, Antonius. Just because you’re the allimportant census-taker doesn’t mean you can go around accusing everyone you
see!
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ANTONIUS: waves his scroll in Eli’s face.
ANTONIUS: Eli, you must register for the census! It’s by order of Caesar
Augustus – the emperor.
ELI: pushes scroll away.
ELI: Caesar is the king of the Romans, not the king of the Jews. And the only
reason he wants us to register for the census is so he can tax us to death!
ANTONIUS: Bah! You Jews have a king – Herod. And he expects you to obey
Caesar’s decrees.
ANTONIUS: presents the scroll and quill.
ANTONIUS: Now if you’ll just sign your name here.
ELI: interrupts and pushes scroll and quill away.
ELI: Herod is no more the king of the Jews than your donkey! He’s a friend of the
Romans, using our people to build all of his fancy palaces!
ANTONIUS: moans and rubs his head as if he has a headache
ANTONIUS: Eli, Eli, Eli!
ANTONIUS: motions to the tour group gathered around him.
ANTONIUS: The streets of Bethlehem are more crowded than ever. And they’re
only going to get busier!
ELI:
nods his head.
ELI: Yes, I know. “Every family must come to his hometown to register.” I heard
the decree being read just like everyone else.
ANTONIUS: All these fine families have come to register for the census. My
office is over-flowing! I don’t have time to argue with you. I just need you to
register for the census so I can attend to the travelers arriving from other cities.
ELI: crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head emphatically.
ELI: Not a chance, Antonius. The prophets have said that the Messiah – the
Savior Is Coming. I’m waiting for the true king of our people.
ANTONIUS: Then you leave me no choice.
ANTONIUS: turns and motions to OCTAVIAN, who has silently approached the
group
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ANTONIUS: Octavian! Take this man away. He’s in violation of the emperor’s
decree.
OCTAVIAN: breaks through the crowd and stands near Antonius.
ELI: Arrested? You’re actually having me arrested?
ANTONIUS: I don’t have time for a law-breaker, Eli.
ELI: If you want me to do your bidding, you’ll have to come to my house. Be
aware of Herod’s lies my friends! Herod is not the king of the Jews!
OCTAVIAN: Speaks to crowd.
OCTAVIAN: Being a Roman centurion among the Hebrews is not easy.
ELI: runs away, with OCTAVIAN in hot pursuit.
ANTONIUS: shakes his head, wearily, and sighs pointing to ONIB registration
tables.
ANTONIUS: You people better not give me problems like that one! Go and
register over there now!
Tour Guide moves group to census taker table where children are given coins to spend in the
marketplace.
Script 3
Marketplace
Props:
Merchant Booths with various items: rugs, lamps, camel blankets, baskets,
pots, cloth, frankincense, myrrh, fruits, veggies, perfumes, etc.
Cast:
Roman soldiers See list in census skit
Many townspeople Tom Elrod, Tonja & Mike Loftis, Lauren Elrod, Madi
Elrod, Chloe Parker, Lauren Edwards, Bethany Carrell, Paige, Will & Clara
Sumner, Aubrey Gray, Luke Colwell, Caiden & Christian Olivas, Mayli
Savahl, Dana & Ashley Hedrick, Will, Mikell, Miles, Peyton & Ben Abney,
Perry Loftis, Caleb Harris, Billy Hennings, Timothy Hennings, Beth
Wootton, Max Wootton
Sound/Media Sam Fields
As group is looking, the roaming townspeople can talk to them.
“Isn’t this cloth beautiful?” “Oh, my sister can make baskets just like these!”
“This blanket is put under the saddle on the camel. Can you imagine how big the
saddle must be?”
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“I think this merchant is trying to take advantage of the crowds; look at these prices!”
ROMAN OFFICIAL (or soldier):
Everyone move along. Keep the streets clear!
Move along! Keep going!
Don’t’ block the streets!
TOUR GUIDE: It is awfully crowded in the city! I heard someone say that the inns are
full and some people have to stay in their tents outside of town. Let’s go see.
TOUR GUIDE:
Takes group to kitchen end of Activity Center where there are a few families sitting
outside their tents.
Script 4
Tent Families
Props:
Cast:
A group of tents and a fire
Families sitting around a fire near the tents
Daniel, Kara & Ethan Harris, Brandon, Erin & Richard Black, Kathleen
Wilkins, Whitney Carrell, Leah Speed, Emily Savahl, Shirlinda Savahl,
Cydney Sellars
The parents and all but one child are sitting around the fire.
One child is in the middle of the gym looking toward shepherds as though looking far
away.
A younger child is running around the tents. (Ethan)
MOTHER 1: (Kara) The crowds are so bad in town I almost lost Jonathan this morning.
She exasperatedly motions to the young boy running around.
Please come sit down by me.
Child unhappily comes and sits by mother.
MOTHER 2: (Erin) Yes, it is crowded, and those soldiers are everywhere! I saw
someone arrested today because he wouldn’t register for the census.
MOTHER 3: (Kathleen-Saturday; Kara-Sunday) The Romans are going to tax us until
we can’t even buy food anymore.
RACHEL: (Leah, Whitney, Cydney) I wish that emperor and his soldiers would just go
away and leave us alone. (Rotating, one speaks, two are seated making sandals)
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FATHER 1: (Daniel) Someday we will be free again. The scriptures and the prophets
tell us of God’s promise to send his Messiah, a Savior. Then our people, our Israel, will
be free again.
MOTHER 2: (Erin) Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see that happen?
David comes running up from the middle of the gym.
Sarah: (Richard) Father, there are shepherds way over on the hillside. Some of
them are my age. Can I go over to see them?
FATHER 2: (Brandon) disdainfully: You are to go nowhere near those filthy shepherds!
Decent people have nothing to do with them. Shepherds aren’t even allowed to testify
in our courts. They can’t be trusted.
MOTHER 2: (Erin) Your Father’s right. Besides, it’s time for bed.
Mothers take their children into their tents.
TOUR GUIDE: When we don’t live as God wants us to, life becomes harder. We are
expecting God to send a savior to free us from the Romans. But sometimes I think God
really needs to save us from our own unloving thoughts, words and actions.
The boys aren’t allowed to go see the shepherds, but go see them for ourselves.
Group moves over to shepherds as spotlight shines on shepherds
Script 5
Shepherds and Angel’s
Cast:
Shepherds
Father: Warren Cottle, Julian Cran, Sharief Savahl will rotate
Samuel: Mason Elkins, Faith Dolan will rotate
Ethan: Pierce Elkins, Bryce Cottle, Jacen Borden, Anderson Cran
Shepherds: Brown Hicks, Zac Rybolt, Ethan Rybolt, Cooper
Nodolf, Derek Stice, Stroman Bridges, Wyatt King, Joshua
Davidson, Branson McDaniel, Barrett McDaniel
Shepherd Moms: Penelope Hicks & Laura Nodolf
Adult Angels: Kris Hill, Laura Holleman
child angels: Harper Colwell, Ava Claire Dolan, Rob Dolan, Case
Bridges, Anna Hicks, Mia Harris, Lexi Bridges, Addie Nodolf, Georgia
Gray, Eliza Stone, Ryan Walton, Sydney Cran, Vivian Black, Mia
Meador, Kristen Gibbons, Sierra Wilkins, Gracie Robbins, Ansley
Davidson, Alex Wootton, Micah Wootton
Angel Moms: Dana Cran, Amber Davidson
Props:
Sheep and goats
Fire for shepherds to sit around
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SHEPHERDS: are sitting around the fire.
ETHAN: and all of the younger shepherds (except Samuel) begins to dance around
and play lively music on his recorder.
SAMUEL: Ethan, you’re scaring the sheep!
ETHAN: But it’s fun!
FATHER: I know, Ethan. But it’s time for you AND the sheep to settle down. It’s
almost bedtime.
ETHAN: All right.
ETHAN: stops playing and all the younger shepherds sit down by the fire.
SAMUEL: Father, why were the people in town so rude to us when we went to buy
food today?
FATHER: I’m not really sure, Samuel. It’s an important job to take care of sheep.
They provide wool and milk and some of these sheep will be used in God’s Temple in
Jerusalem. We used to be respected by the people, but now they think only the sheep
are important and we shepherds are nothing.
SAMUEL: But God doesn’t think that, does He?
FATHER: I don’t think He does.
ETHAN: jumping up excitedly and pointing to the star:
ETHAN: Hey, look at that bright star!
FATHER & SAMUEL: stand and look.
ANGELS: come from behind backdrop
FATHER: pulls the boys close to him.
ADULT ANGEL: (Kris) “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good news of great joy which
is for everyone. Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ
the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling
clothes and lying in a manger.
Light shines on Heavenly host.
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HEAVENLY HOST: Chorus sings
Light goes out on Heavenly host and other angels return to behind backdrop.
FATHER: “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has made
know to us.”
Light goes out on shepherds.
TOUR GUIDE: Let us go to Bethlehem and see too!
Group leaves gym to Innkeeper’s wife and stable.
Script 6
Innkeeper’s Wife
As group leaves shepherds, they meet Miriam (Denise Carrell)
MIRIAM:
Welcome. My name is Miriam. My husband, Jacob, and I own an inn in Bethlehem.
Yesterday, a young couple named Mary and Joseph came to the inn. But there were no
rooms because so many people are here for the census!
Mary was close to having her baby, so I looked and looked for a place for them.
The only place was the stable where we keep the animals.
And the only place for the baby to lay was the manger.
So I took the animals’ hay out and filled it with clean dry straw to keep him nice and
warm.
I thought he was just a baby. But would you believe that a miracle happened!!
An angel told us the baby is the Messiah, the Son of God!!!
Have you come to see?
Miriam leads group to stable.
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Script 7
Holy Family
(As tour group enters, shepherds are in front, standing off to one side, facing Holy
Family)
When tour group is all present head shepherd speaks to Mary and Joseph:
Shepherd Owen/Clare rotate
And then the whole sky was filled with angels praising God! It was amazing! We left
right away to look for what the angel told us about. It was as though God led us right
to you!
Mary: (Sarah Wyrick-Saturday; Laren Bridges-Sunday)
Yes, God sent an angel to me, too! He said that I had found favor with God and I
would become pregnant with a son – the Son of God! I was to name the boy Jesus. I
was very frightened, and I didn’t completely understand. But the angel said this would
all happen by the power of the Holy Spirit. I was worried about how Joseph would
react.
Joseph (Roger Wyrick-Saturday; Drew Bridges-Sunday)
Well, yes, I was very troubled about Mary being pregnant. But as I slept one night, an
angel also spoke to me – in a dream. The angel said not to be afraid to take Mary as
my wife because it was by God’s Holy Spirit that she had conceived. She would have a
son and I was to name him Jesus, which means “God saves” – because he will save his
people from their sins. I can’t say that I really understand either, but I did what God
wanted me to do.
Mary:
Of course we thought Jesus would be born in Nazareth, where we live. But then the
Romans wanted to count everyone, so….
Joseph:
Yes, since I’m related to David, we had to come to Bethlehem, the city of David for the
census.
Mary:
All of this is so overwhelming – and wonderful! I’ll always remember how God has
blessed all of us!
(Silent Night music starts, then narrator speaks with music playing)
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Narrator: (Lori Cottle)
For a child is born to us, a son given to us,
And the government will be on his shoulders,
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above
every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of
God the Father!
(Music continues to play as tour guide leads group out into hallway for end of tour.)
Script 8
Tour Closing
Tour guide leads group around to bend in hallway
TOUR GUIDE: Thank you for coming to share the Bethlehem story with us tonight.
You and your family are welcome to follow me to the Chapel for a brief but special
Christmas blessing from our pastors. If you need to return home now, you can leave
through the doors at the end of this hallway. I wish you all a merry and blessed
Christmas!
Tour guide moves into hallway in front of Ark and repeats invitation to follow to the
Chapel.
Then leads remaining group to the Chapel.
Chapel Blessings: Mara & Gene Dolan, Kaci & Chance McDaniel
Pastors: Tim, Macky & Kurt
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