Children love to perform the Nativity, but sometimes they can lose interest faster than we would like. Check out these kid-friendly Nativity scripts to help keep things short and sweet.
What better way to bring in the true spirit of Christmas than reminding the family the reason for our celebration?
Unfortunately, children sometimes lose interest faster than we would like. The key is to keep it simple. Here are some other tips.
Use as many fun props as possible. Baby doll as Jesus, Dad as donkey, faux gold and trinkets for the wise men to hold and present, a pet dog or stuffed animals as sheep for the shepherds, wings and glitter for the angel, etc., will all add interest and excitement for the children involved. Dress ups can be easily made with bathrobes and towels.
Allow the children to exhibit their talents. If you have one that can play a Christmas song on a musical instrument, work it into the program. If one of them likes to read, help them to be the narrator.
Have one of the adults be the “director.” Make sure one of the adults can whisper or remind children of their lines and give direction to them. (This can be the narrator.)
We’ve given you a couple options. You can follow the part-scripture, part-paraphrase scripts (for younger children) that have more songs from the Children’s Songbook. Or, read the script that outlines as the scriptures tell it (for a closer reading), which has a mixture of children’s songs and traditional Christmas songs; this script would work best with children mostly 9 and up. The songs suggested may be cut if you think they will be too difficult. Consider using songs you know your children have been learning in Primary or other places.
Close the nativity reenactment with testimony from parents and anyone else who would like to share.
Nativity Script #1
Part scripture, part paraphrase:
[Direction: Mary should be in place, with the angel nearby and ready to appear.]
Narrator:
Gabriel the angel was sent to Mary, who was engaged to marry Joseph, to tell her she would be the mother of Jesus, the son of God. She was afraid, but he said:
Gabriel (Luke 1: 30-31):
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
Mary (v. 38):
Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
[Direction: Mary gets ready to come in on donkey with Joseph leading them.]
*To print the remainder of Nativity Script #1, click here.
Nativity Script #2
All scripture:
Scene 1: Narrator, Angel, and Mary
Narrator (Luke 1:26-28):
Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
[Direction: Angel Gabriel comes; Mary should show fear at first seeing him]
Angel (v. 28, 30-32):
Blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be called the Son of the Highest.
Mary (v. 34):
How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
*To print the remainder of Nativity Script #2, click here.
