Sunday Club Resources
Sunday Club Resources Nativity Play - Joy to the World – A Shepherd’s Story
Cast: • Angel Gabriel, the narrator. Tells the story. I kind of imagine her as a cross between the fictional version of Miranda and Clarence the angel from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ • Benjamin (shepherd 1). World weary shepherd going through a hard time. • Jonathan (shepherd 2). Benjamin’s friend. • Daniel (shepherd 3). Younger shepherd. • Mary. Obedient mother of Jesus. • Joseph. Mary’s dependable husband • Innkeeper, Reuben. Not unkind, and glad of the business the census has brought, but a bit tired of it by the time of M and J’s arrival. • Innkeeper’s wife, Ruth. Kindly, highly practical lady.
Non-speaking parts: • Donkey • Other animals • Non-speaking shepherd roles • Angels for Angel dance • Wise people
Set-up Written for a stage set-up on a dais in an Anglican Church, but could be done on any stage.
Stage had two scenes backdrops. To the left, stable scene. To the right, stars and town of Bethlehem. Both sides were done like collages and were on notice boards. Above was a large screen with images as the story progressed. Props included a crib, toy doll, and a ‘fire’ made from wood and coloured tissue paper on a base.
Carols/songs may change, and the introduction/ending parts show it in the context of an Anglian Service of the Word, but again may well be varied.
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Start of Service
Introductions etc Song – O Little Town of Bethlehem Liturgical items if required can be placed here. Song – Ding Dong Merrily on High
Scene 1 – front of stage Gabriel comes on stage and stands in the middle
Gabriel: Merry Christmas, everyone! Joy to the World!
I’m the angel Gabriel, and God has sent me on a special mission. It’s been such an exciting year! God has kept me busy. First of all, I had to go see Elizabeth, and tell she would have a baby, even though she is quite old. She was made up. But men being men, Zechariah didn’t believe me, so he was kept quiet for nine whole months! Imagine that! Then I was sent to see Mary (pause) …..
Now then, what I am doing?
Oh, yes, I need get out into the fields. Message to deliver to Benjamin and his friends! See you soon!
Gabriel leaves stage. Scene 2 – In a field outside Bethlehem Benjamin, Jonathan and Daniel enter stage and sit down in front of a camp fire.
Benjamin: It’s really, really, cold tonight!
Jonathan: It certainly is.
Daniel: Freezing!
Jonathan: How are things going, Ben?
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Benjamin: Well I still owe money for the new sheep I bought.
Jonathan: Yes, that must be a worry
Benjamin: And the missus is still not well. She’s been ill for weeks.
Jonathan: Yes, that must be a worry
Benjamin: And to cap it off, young Isaac is behind with learning his Torah. What I am to do?!
Jonathan: Yes, that must be a worry!
Pause.
Daniel: What’s that light over there…? It’s getting brighter!
Jonathan: So it is.
Benjamin: Goodness me, what is that?
Gabriel appears on stage very quickly
Gabriel: Joy to the World! I have glad tiding to bring!
Pause
Benjamin: What did you say?
Gabriel: I said ‘joy to the world. I have glad tiding to bring!’
Pause
Benjamin: Joy and good news! I need some joy! Too many worries for me
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Gabriel: Gosh, sorry, silly me. You don’t come to earth for hundreds of years, then all this stuff in the last year has got me all confused.
Benjamin: Okay, so you are an angel, I guess…
Gabriel: Yes, that’s right. Such exciting news!
Daniel: And what is your news…?
Gabriel: Okay, yes, sorry. Perhaps I had better start at the beginning of the story….
All leave stage
Scene 3: Mary’s house in Nazareth Mary on Stage brushing. Gabriel comes on stage:
Gabriel: To Congregation Now this happened nine months ago!
I remember thinking at the time, ‘I really hope I get this right….’
Gabriel: Move over to Mary. Joy to the World! Peace to you, the Lord has blessed you, Mary!
Mary: You are an angel! Why have you come to see me? I’m nobody!
Gabriel: Not so fast. God has chosen you to have a son. You will name Him Jesus. He is the Messiah God’s people have been waiting for! He will bring freedom and peace to His people.
Mary: But I’m not married yet. How can this be?
Gabriel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will have a child.
Mary: I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen to me as you say.
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Gabriel Faces congregation I was glad that I never messed that one up!
It wasn’t all straightforward, though. Mary was engaged to Joseph, and before you know it, Emperor Augustus, who was in charge of the whole Roman Empire, wanted to count everyone who was in it. To do that, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlem on a donkey, because that’s where Joseph’s family came from.
Song – Little Donkey
During Song Mary and Joseph and donkey travel around church. They come back onto the stage, left side. Animals move over to centre/back of stage. A helper attaches ‘Reuben’s inn sign’ to side.
Scene 4: Outside the Innkeeper’s House Mary and Joseph and donkey on stage, left-side. They knock (sound from off stage).
Reuben: Off stage Hold on! Hold on!
Reuben and Ruth come on stage
Reuben: Still getting them calling, Ruth. Can’t fault old Augustus for drumming up the business, like. But it’s now getting a bit much this time of night, Makes to open door action
Reuben: Evening all. Chilly night, isn’t it! What can I do for you?
Joseph: Please, we would like a room. My wife is about to give birth We’re shattered. We’ve just come from Nazareth.
Reuben: Nazareth, you say? Goodness me. Sorry, but we are full
Ruth: Bustles in. What’s are you on about, Reuben? Looks at Mary. Gosh, you need somewhere to stay, don’t you love? Not long
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now, it looks like to me! Tell you what, we have the stable, but that’s all. You can go there, if you like.
Joseph: Thank you. That would be great.
Innkeeper and Ruth leave stage. The scene becomes the stable. Someone brings crib on stage, and baby on. Gabriel come on stage to the side.
Gabriel: And that night, Mary gave birth to a son. As I asked her to, she named him Jesus. He is the son of God, prince of peace, and wonderful councillor. What fantastic news! Joy to the World!
Mary, Joseph, donkey and Gabriel stay on stage. Children playing animals move to around crib area.
Song – Silent Night
Scene 5 – In a field outside Bethlehem After song, three shepherds back on stage around the campfire. Gabriel moves over to them.
Daniel: Loud Amazing story!
Jonathan: Bit louder Awesome story!
Daniel: Bit lounder again Astounding story!
Jonathan: Louder again Astonishing story!
Pause
Benjamin: Looks at Gabriel. Okay, so what now…?
Gabriel: Goodness me, I’d forget my halo if it were loose!
Slight pause then loud Joy to the World!
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Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth! This very evening, the son of God, the Prince of Peace is born in Bethlehem, Christ the Lord!
Go visit him and this will prove it to you. You will find Mary and Joseph in the stable near Reuben’s inn. The baby is wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger
Slight pause.
Now, where’s my host of angels gone?
Younger children, dressed as angels, may come on and do an angel dance to a song After done, angels move by Mary and Joseph and Gabriel leaves the stage
Daniel: Let’s go check it out!!
Shepherds move over to stage area where Mary and Joseph are.
Jonathan: We have come to see your son! An angel told us all about it. We have come to worship him.
Mary: Thank you all. You are very welcome!
Short pause
Benjamin: The son of God and we get to see him the night he is born. He has come for me. Life seems so much better. Joy to the World Indeed….
Shepherds stay where they are by Mary and Joseph.
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Scene 6: The East Gabriel comes back on stage centre.
Gabriel: And God also left a sign for some other people, too. A rather big star, in fact…
Star and wise people at back of church. Star come down central isle, followed by wise people. First verse and chorus however many times needed of We Three Kings.
Wise people come onto stage and give gifts to Mary and Joseph. They stay there.
Gabriel: In case you were wondering, the wise people gave Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh
Joy to the world! I think that wraps things up, nicely….
Benjamin Comes Forward to front of stage Just a minute before we finish, Gabriel. I mean, if you hadn’t have come to tell us, I may never have met Jesus. I’m sure he can help with my worries. I realise now, that Jesus came for me. In fact, He came for every one of us. Whatever’s happening in life, I know he wants to be close to me. I can feel his joy. He loves me. And He loves all of us.
Slight pause, then loud Joy to the World!
Song – It’s Christmas (includes Away in a Manager)
Prayers and Lord’s Prayer Notices etc
Song – Joy to the World Farewell/Happy Christmas
©Ian Merrison, November 2016
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