Christmas in Four Parts
by Ray Hill
MacGregor, Manitoba
If you use this script please let me know by emailing me at rayndor@gmail.com.
There is no cost except to let me know that you have used it. Feel free to adapt to your
circumstances.
Christmas Program - 2014
Opening remarks and prayer
1a Reading - Luke 1: 26-33
Congregational Carol
1b Reading - Luke 1: 46-55
The Shepherds at Night
2 Reading - Luke 2: 8-14
Solo - The Wexford Carol
The Magi at the palace
Solo - Huron Carol
3 Reading - Matt 2: 7-11
Congregational carol
At the Bethlehem Inn
Solo - “Bring a torch Jeanette Isabella”
4 Reading - Luke 2: 15-20
(Creche set up during song and reading. Shepherds and wise men are there and a
Native American representing the Huron Carol above, Jeanette with a light and
Innkeeper spreading a blanket.)
Carol - Away in a Manger (sung by actors and children)
Congregational carol
A Field near Bethlehem
5 Reading - Matthew 2: 12-14, 19-21
Three Congregational carols
Closing comments, invitation to visit (coffee, dainties)
Solo - In the Bleak mid-Winter
(About an hour and a quarter)
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A suggested program above using 4 skits of about 5 minutes each tell the Christmas
story. Actors’ ages given for the skits are minimum for the parts. They could easily be
done with teens or adults. The skits could easily be done in the style of a radio play with
minimal scenery, making modern dress a possibility. What follows are the four skits:
The Shepherds at Night
4 shepherds - Larry-naive, Jake-worldly wise, Norm-radical, Dave-concerned for poor
(older middlers or Jr teens) dressed in coveralls and boots.
3 Magi - (Middlers or Jr teens)
Dave - (laughing) This coffee is terrible. Who made this dishwater?
Norm - Larry of course!
Larry - What’s the problem. I made it the way I always make it.
Jake - (walking up) That’s the problem.
Larry - How are the animals in the north pasture Jake?
Jake - It’s a quiet night. The ewes are bedded down with their lambs. They all seem
content. I left Hannah with them so I can get some sleep.
Dave - You have a lot of confidence in that girl. Have you seen any trace of the sheep
rustlers in that area? You lost two lambs last week ...
Jake - Nah! The Roman soldiers put a good scare in ‘em. I heard they tore their camp
apart and chased them all back to Jericho (laughs)
Dave - That’s pretty harsh. They were poor folks.. Not that I think they should be
stealing sheep...
Larry - Yah. They were lucky they weren’t crucified (laughs again)
Norm - It’s not funny. The Romans have no respect for any of us. If we weren’t feeding
the soldiers, they’d be just as happy to get rid of us.
Jake - Last week they came for 10 of my nicest sheep. I had to deliver them to the
garrison and I got nearly nothing..... as usual.
Larry - And I can’t sell in town without paying so much tax that I don’t make a penny off
my flock.
Jake - Who are the real thieves here?
Dave - No point complaining especially to our elders. They do what the Romans tell
them to do. If only they’d do something
Larry - They’re all rich fat cats. The Herodians especially. (everyone nods and mumble,
“yah”)
Norm - They treat Herod like he is some kinda god. But he’s a monster. He will do
anything to protect his wealth and his crown - even if it means killing his own sons!
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Jake - (looking around) Careful! There are spies behind every bush!
Larry - The priests and pharisees are no better. They walk around in fancy robes with
their noses in the air. They spout scripture and look down on us like we just walked out
of a pig sty.
Norm - Then they go to court and use their laws to line their purses with money from
our widows and the poor. And foreigners who don’t know our language or our laws.
Dave - They get rich so they can build bigger houses. They use bribes to push the poor
off their land and torture them in debtors prison.
Larry - May the Lord rescue us!
Jake - (Sighs) I sometimes think the Lord has forgotten us. There hasn’t been a prophet
for four hundred years.
Dave - I pray for help after putting the children to bed. In the morning, when I wake up,
we are still hungry; the Romans are still here and our leaders are still lining up like pigs
at the Roman trough.
Jake - May the Lord judge them all.
Dave - God has rescued our people in the past and He will do it again. And if He
doesn’t, where else can we go?
Larry - “We are the sheep of His pasture.” He will NOT abandon us.
Norm - Then why doesn’t the Lord do something? No one should have to live like this especially God’s people. If there is any time for the Lord to rescue us, now is the time.
(3 dusty men in fine but worn clothes approaches and interrupt).
Magi 1 - We need to find the King’s palace? Can you show us the way?
(The shepherds look back and forth at each other and the Magi)
Magi 2 - We have come all the way from Persia to find the king. Can you help us?
(The shepherds point north)
Jake - You are too far south. His palace is in Jerusalem.
Dave - You can camp near Bethlehem tonight. There’s no room in town because of the
census.
Norm - It’s a day’s walk from Bethlehem. You will make it by tomorrow night.
Magi 3 - (bowing his head) Thank you. Good night, gentlemen.
(They stand back and stare hands-in-pockets as three men walk through their camp.
Lights fade)
Larry - (in the darkness) Who are those strangers?
The Magi at the palace
(Herod and Advisor - Jr teens, 2 guards - middlers and three Magi)
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Advisor - Travelers have arrived my Lord. They wish an audience with you.
Herod - Where are they from?
Advisor - From Persia - merchants it would seem. They carry great wealth.
Herod - What is their business?
Advisor - When we interviewed them, my Lord, They said that their magic has led them
here.
Herod - What has that to do with me? What did they say?
Advisor - (hesitates, bowing) Forgive me my Lord. They are looking for ... the new king
of the Jews born in Judah. They say the stars have told them...
Herod - They what? How many are there?
Advisor - Only three my Lord and a handful of servants. Our spies report no others
within 50 miles of the border. But they may be agitators. We have them under guard.
Just give the word my Lord.
Herod - (Grunting) Humph! ... This will spread no further. If that is what they are saying,
they will not walk out of here alive. But first I will question them for the source of this
treasonous babble. Send them in - closely guarded mind you!
(The three enter with guards. They bow before the king)
Herod - Who are you? Where are you from?
Magi 1 - O King, we are Astrologers - Magi from the East. We have spent our lives
learning to read the stars. They speak their truths to us and tell us their secrets.
Herod - And what secrets have they spoken to you?
Magi 1 - The time of the king of the Jews has come. His star has risen. The child to be
born in the palace tonight will rule all men. We have come with gifts from the peoples of
the east to honour him - and you also - in your joy at his birth.
Herod - (with scorn) There are no more children in THIS palace. Tell me, where will I
find this new king?
Magi 2 - (confused) That is why we have come to you, O King. Alas, the star did not say
exactly where he would be born - only when. We were hoping that since you, the King
of the Jews, are wise and powerful that you might ....
Herod - (waving his hand to dismiss them) Yes, Yes of course, I will tell you presently. I
will first consult with my advisors on how you may best honour this child king. (they
leave the room)
Herod - (to his advisor) What is this about a new king being born! Why have you hidden
this from me? Why do I let you live?
Advisor - (head low) My Lord, You know that we are loyal to only you.
Herod - Then who is this “king” they are talking about? Where is he? I will end this
treachery with the sword quickly enough. It will be silenced - one way or another.
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Advisor - (head still low in fear) O wise and gracious King from whom nothing is
hidden, may God grant victory over all your enemies and those who would desire the
throne that is rightfully yours.
Herod - (voice rising) My patience grows thin!
Advisor - The ancient scrolls DO speak of a king to come - like our father David. This
must be the king of whom they speak. But the prophets do not say when he is to be
born ...
Herod - (angrily) Do NOT play games with me!
Advisors - BUT - the prophets DO say that he will be born in Bethehem, the royal city
of David. THAT is where you will find him.
Herod - (still angry) Then we will send these fools of fortune tellers on an errand. They
will tell us where to find this child. Once I know where he is, I will give him all the honour
he deserves.
(to his guards) Bring the foreigners to me.
(they enter and bow. Herod speaks more softly and smiling)
I have consulted with my advisors. They are wise (glancing sideways at the advisor)
and know the traditions of the Jews. They tell me that you will find the newborn king in
Bethlehem, the royal city of the Jews. There you may give the gifts and honour from the
peoples of the East.
Magi 3 - You are most gracious O King. We are your servants. If there is anything we
can do to repay this kindness, just ask and it will be done.
Herod - Yes ... there is. After you have found the child, return to me so I also may bring
appropriate gifts from the Roman Empire and give all the honour due this new king
since he will rule all peoples - as you have said.
(they bow and leave as the lights fade)
Herod - Put the soldiers on alert. Not one of them will escape.
At the Bethlehem Inn
Innkeeper (middler or Jr teen) and Jeanette (middler or Jr teen)
Jeanette Isabella - I’m bushed
Innkeeper - My feet are killing me!
J - There isn’t a bed or corner that doesn’t have someone sleeping.
I - We did well Jeanette. Your father will be proud when he gets back tomorrow. (sighs)
He will have to register like everyone else.
J - I didn’t realize there were so many families from this little village. (smiles)
We’re meeting relatives I never knew about.
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I - Too bad there’s no time to visit. We’ll have to get an early start to cook for the guests.
Did you get to the bakery?
J - He’s sold out but his boys were unloading flour. He said he will bake all night and the
boys will deliver first thing in the morning.
I - What about the animals?
J - There’s hay in the manger and I brought them oats.
I - Did you check on the couple in the stall?
J - Of course. I don’t know how she managed to come so far in her condition. She’s a
tough girl.
I - Did they bring a blanket? It’s a starry night and clear; it’s going to be cold.
J - (starting to get up. Sighing wearily) I’ll get them one. There’s still some left....
I - You’ve done enough tonight, Jeanette. I’ll get it.
J - (sighs again) Okay, Mom. I’ll check the guests upstairs before I go to bed. (chuckles)
That rooster is an early riser.
(the lights fade)
I - (in the distance excitedly) Jeanette, come quickly!
A Field near Bethlehem
4 shepherds, 3 magi, the Advisor
(the shepherds beckon the other 4 into the camp)
Jake - Who is your friend?
Magi 1 - He is from the palace
(shepherds step back in fear)
M 2 - He came after us to see the child for himself.
M 3 - Our friend told us what Herod is planning to do to us and the Prince.
M 1 - And a messenger from God warned us in a dream not to go back to him.
Advisor - Herod is truly a mad man!
(the shepherds slowly step forward again)
M 1 -We wanted to find you again then we are heading straight for the border.
M 2 - We will tell our peoples all that we have seen.
Jake - This has been the night of nights!
Larry - Stars turning into choirs of angels!
Dave - God’s princely Son bringing peace to a suffering nation.
Jake - Born in a stall and lying in a manger. Who would have guessed?
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Larry - Our faithful God clothed in mystery and majesty from on high.
Norm - The Lord is good. He will rescue His people from their oppressors. May His
glory fill the earth! May His Son reign forever!
Advisor - This is all so new to me. Herod cannot fight the power and wisdom of God. I
am amazed to see the power of Rome brought to nothing - by a child - (shakes his
head) and born in a cattle stall.
M 3 - It is new to us all
Norm - Those in power will be brought low and the hungry will be fed by the Lord’s
hand.
Advisor - (looking around) The night is already growing less dark and I have not yet
seen the child. My heart is about to explode from all I have seen and heard. I must go.
(exits)
M 2 - Angels have also warned the prince’s father to flee. When Herod’s men arrive,
they will be gone.
M 1 - We also must leave before daylight ... the Roman spies. May the God of Heaven
bless you and your families.
Jake - May the face of the Holy One of Israel shine upon you and give you peace and
light for your journey.
Larry - Perhaps we will meet again.
M 3 - (smiles) Perhaps.
(the 4 shepherds watch as the magi leave and the lights fade)
Dave - This has truly been a night to remember!