The Birth of Jesus

A lively skit about the people and times during the Birth of Jesus. (Skit for nine to fourteen.)

TOPICS:

Birth of Christ, Christmas

MATERIALS:

Option A (For a classroom role-play)
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
Small pillow to make Mary appear pregnant.

Option B (For a very small church production)
(In addition to the materials shown for Option A)
Three 3’x 5’ pieces of cardboard for Inn doors (decorate as desired)
3 plain blue oversize t-shirts for the 3 magi
4 plain white oversize t-shirts for the angels
3 or 4 different colored plain oversize t-shirts for shepherds, narrator
2 plain beige or brown oversize shirts for Joseph and Mary
An area fixed up as a stable. (The stable can be surrounded with white Christmas lights, and lit when the Magi and shepherds arrive.)
A big cardboard star, wrapped in aluminum foil
Additional props if desired can be added

Skit handout [PDF] Click here

DURATION:

Approximately 15-20 minutes

Note: For this production, you can add a children’s choir to sing ‘Away In a Manger’ when Joseph and Mary settle in the stable, and ‘O Holy Night’ at the end of the play

Scene 1 (Outside the town)
(Narrator enters)

Narrator	Hear ye, hear ye. Caesar Augustus declares that there will be a census. Everyone will be counted and must return to their native towns. Let this be known to everyone!

(The narrator exits, and Joseph and Mary (pregnant) enter)

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 Innkeeper	Yes, I'm coming. Hold on.

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

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

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

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

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

3rd Innkeeper	Unbelievable, this place is almost wall to wall with people. (He looks at Mary with compassion) I don’t think you will find any room available in this town. But you should not be traveling 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 Innkeeper	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 Savior, 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 1	Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.

Shepherd 2	Let’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. Some time 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!