THE BIRTH OF JESUS

MATERIALS:
Option A
Baby doll and crib (can use a small basket that fits doll)
2’x 3’ piece of cloth, plain white
3 small shoe boxes, decorated as Magi’s treasure boxes
Chocolate candy gold coins, 2 bags of potpourri

Scene 1 (Outside and inside the town)

Narrator: In a small town Nazareth, there live a young Jewish woman named, Mary. She was a very
obedient and God-fearing woman. She helped her parents in the field and did the chores in the house.
She was kind and helpful to everyone and people liked her very much. Mary was going to get marry
soon to a good and honest man named, Joseph. A few days before Mary’s engagement she had a
visitor in her sleep. An angel sent by God named, Gabriel.

Gabriel: Mary, do not be afraid. I am Gabriel. God has sent me here. He loves you and you have
been chosen for something very special. Your kind heart and your soul is a great value to the lord.
You are fortunate for God was chosen you above everyone else for this special task.

Mary: I’m not afraid. It’s an honor to know that God has chosen me to carry out this wish. I am
lucky to be follower to God.

Gabriel: Blessed you Mary. God is pleased with you. I have come to tell you that soon you will have a
son. He will be a great king one day and He will beloved by everyone. He will be called the son of God.

Mary: (surprised) But how is this possible? I’ m not yet married.

Mary: I’m grateful for whatever the Lord has done for me. I’m happy to have this wish come true
through me.

Gabriel: The Lord is with you, Mary. You are blessed. Go in peace!

Narrator: Mary told Joseph the plan of God that soon she will have a son. After hearing this, Joseph,
being just a man was minded to put Mary away secretly. But while he thought of these things, behold
an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream.

Gabriel: Joseph, son of David. Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring a son, and you shall call his name, Jesus for
he will save his people from their sins.

Narrator: then Joseph, being aroused from sleeps, did as the angel of the lord commanded him and
took to him his wife.
Just near the time Mary was about to have her baby the Roman Emperor sent soldiers to announce a
new law.

Soldier: Listen everyone! The Emperor Caesar Augustus says that all of you need to pay taxes now
and register for census.

Narrator: So Mary and Joseph made their way to Betlehem…

Joseph Mary, I know you are heavy with child, but we must go to Bethlehem for the census.

Mary Yes Joseph. I think I can travel and I know the Lord will be with us in this journey.

(Joseph and Mary pack up and start their journey. They walk over to the first inn and knock at the door.
Innkeepers are behind doors.)

1st Yes, I'm coming. Hold on.

Joseph We have been travelling for a long time, do you have a room for us?

1st I am very sorry, but there is no more room here. Try next door.
Innkeeper

(Joseph and Mary walk over to the next inn, and knock at the door.)

2nd I am so sorry, if you are looking for a place to stay we are completely booked here. Try next
Innkeeper door.

(Joseph and Mary walk to the next inn and they barely get to the door when the 3rd Innkeeper comes out.)

3rd Unbelievable, this place is almost wall to wall with people. (He looks at Mary with
Innkeeper compassion) I don’t think you will find any room available in this town. But you should not be
travelling any more this late in the evening. If you don't mind, you could get some rest in my
stable out back. It isn’t the most comfortable place, but at least there will be a roof over your
head. And the animals are wonderful, they will not bother you.

Joseph My wife must have some rest. The stable will be fine.

3rd Well then, follow me

(The Innkeeper steps aside and leads Joseph and Mary to the stable, then all Innkeepers exit)

Scene 2 (Inside a stable)

(Joseph helps Mary sit down on the floor and then begins to prepare a bed for them.)

Joseph I know God is with us. It is much better to sleep here than outside.

Mary Joseph, I don’t feel very well. I am really tired and I am having this pain. I think it’s time for the
baby to be born.

Joseph Please Mary, lie down here on this nice bed I prepared. It won't be long now.
 Scene 3 (A field)

(Narrator enters)

Narrator Meanwhile, some shepherds were tending their flocks at night when suddenly an angel appears
right before them

(Angels enter. While the angels speak, Mary wraps the baby Jesus in cloth and lays Him in a trough.)

Angel 1 Behold, I bring goods news of a great joy. For today, in the city of David there is born for you a
Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped
in cloths and lying in a manger.

All Angels Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

Shepherd 1Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.

Shepherd 2Let’s tell our friends and we all go. Praise God for this Good News. Come on it’s a long
journey.

Narrator And so the shepherds, after hearing the angels, went to visit the Baby. Sometime later, three
Magi saw a bright star in the sky

(Narrator exits and Magi enter. Star is displayed)

1st Magi (Pointing to the star) Look, a star. Look how bright it is!

2nd Magi (Looking at the star) It is the sign. The wonderful sign. The King of the Jews is born!

3rd Magi Let us go and worship Him. Gifts, we need gifts!

1st Magi I know what I can give Him. I will give Him gold, for He is Royalty.

2nd Magi My gift will be special. It will be myrrh.

3rd Magi Frankincense will be my gift. Let us put them in special boxes, because He is King.

(The three Magi each place their gift into a treasure box. Narrator enters. Then Magi walk over to the
stable while looking at the star. Mary takes the child and holds him in her arms.)

Scene 4 (Inside a stable)

(Narrator enters)

Narrator And so the Magi found their King, by following the star. When they arrived they bowed down,
worshiped the King, and offered their gifts to him.

(The Magi slowly place their gifts in front of Mary, look at the baby and then they bow down. Then Angels
enter)

Angels Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among men!