Sharing Time: A Nativity Presentation

By Pat Graham and Alice Morrey Bailey

Characters Needed: Narrators Joseph Mary 3 Innkeepers Angel Shepherds Wisemen Songs To Learn: Christmas Cradle Song Marys Lullaby or Sleep Little Jesus Far, Far Away on Judeas Plains Picture A Christmas He Sent His Son or Joy To the World

Narrator _____________: Every Christmas season Our eyes grow strangely dim When all the little children Sing a cradle hymn. Song: Christmas Cradle Song (Sing with Me, F-5). (Little children could hold dolls and rock them during singing.) Narrator ______________: Think of that first Christmas, And from your heart will stem A picture pathway leading Back to Bethlehem. Background music: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Hymns, no. 165). (Mary and Joseph should begin at the back of the room. Innkeepers should stand at three locations along their path. All should pantomime the words of the story.) Narrator _________________: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Narrator ________________: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (Mary and Joseph slowly walk toward First Innkeeper. Children with speaking parts need not be seen.)

Joseph: Do you have room for us at your inn? First Innkeeper: No, all of our rooms are full. (Mary and Joseph walk to Second Innkeeper.) Joseph: Do you have room for us at your inn? Second Innkeeper: No. we have no more room here. (Mary and Joseph walk to Third Innkeeper.) Joseph: Do you have room for us at your inn? Third Innkeeper: Nothing at all. Every room is filled. Joseph: We have come a long way, and my wife, Mary, is very tired. Surely you have some place where she can rest. Third Innkeeper: Theres an unused stable. If you want to use it, you may. Joseph: Thank you for your kindness, but Mary needs a comfortable room to rest in. Mary: Joseph, let us take the stable. I cannot go farther. (Third Innkeeper leads Mary and Joseph to a stable with a stone manger.) Narrator _________________: 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. (Mary lifts doll from cradle and hugs it.) Song: Marys Lullaby to the Infant King (Sing with Me, F-10) or Sleep Little Jesus, (Friend, December 1981, page 38). Narrator _________________: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. And the angel said unto them, Angel: 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. Song: Far, Far Away on Judeas Plains (Hymns, no. 33), one verse.

Narrator ________________: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Narrator __________________: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Shepherds walk to manger.) Song: Picture a Christmas (Friend, December 1983, page 28). Narrator ________________: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there [later] came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. (Mary and Joseph take doll out of manger area. Mary sits down and places doll in a cradle. Wise Men walk to family and kneel.) Narrator ___________________: 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. (Wise Men place gifts in front of cradle.) Narrator ________________: These earthly treasures were gifts fit for a king. Yet Jesus own gift was the greatest gift of all. He brought eternal life. Let your thoughts be upon Him at this time of year so that you may learn of Him and follow in His footsteps. Song: He Sent His Son (Friend, December 1984, page 10) or Joy to the World (Hymns, no. 89).