A Children's Christmas Play

Speaking PartsLarge Mouse Named MooseFriend Mouse Named MoeSister Mouse Named MarieDonkey Named Fred/Joan (male or female)Donkey Named DawnRooster/Hen Named Rudy/Ruby (male or female)Speckled Hen Named FawnCamel Named ClaudeCamel Named CarrieLamb Named LeoLamb Named LisaSpeaking AngelNarrator

Nonspeaking PartsStar Holder (or suspended)Angels (if needed)MaryJosephWise Man 1 -- FrankincenseWise Man 2 -- GoldWise Man 3 -- MyrrhShepherd Boys (if needed)

Other PersonnelSpotlight ControllerCostume MakersSet Creators

Stable will needPlastic for floor

Bales of hayPlatform for Mary and Joseph

Stepladder for Star HolderStepladder for Angel

or suspended star

Simple costumes for1 Narrator/s (dress up)

3 Mice2 Donkeys

1 Rooster1 Speckled Hen

2 Camels2 Lambs

1 Mary1 Joseph

3 Wise Men1 Star (or suspended star)

1 AngelAngels and Lambs (as needed)

Shepherd Boys (as needed)

If costumes are unavailable for animals, draw a picture of each animal on poster board. Tape a paper towel roll for a holder on back of picture. Children hold picture in front of them. For Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, and Wise Men, use bathrobes or extra large T-shirts with belts, ropes, or ties. Headgear can be towels tied with rope or ties.

Props neededPodium for Narrator/s

One cribOne baby doll

Large star with long pointStable frame (optional)

Fake glasses for MoeFlowered hat for Marie

Two spotlights (white, blue)Gold (painted vase)

Frankincense (glass vase)Myrrh (glass vase)

Shepherd boys' staffs (tree limbs)

If children are too young to have speaking parts, Narrator/s can read entire play and choir can sing carols.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

(Scene opens with white spotlight on NARRATOR. All creatures in place in stable.)

Narrator: A long time ago in a faraway place, there stood a little town with very little space.

ALL sing first verse

"O Little Town Of Bethlehem"

Narrator: And in this little town, there stood a stable stall. It was the sheltered home of creatures, great and small.

(Blue spotlight on stable)

Narrator: A big gray mouse named Moose lived in a pile of hay, tucked into one corner safely out of the way.

Narrator: He had a mouse friend, Moe, who was smart as could be, and a small gray sister, whose first name was Marie.

Narrator: They shared their hay-strewn home with donkeys, Fred and Dawn, a rooster they called Rudy and a speckled hen named Fawn.

Narrator: The camels, Claude and Carrie, Leo and Lisa lamb, also found a home herewhen not roaming the land.

Narrator: Now Moose called out to Moe:

Moose: Hey, Smarty, can you see that brightly shining star pointing down at you and me?

ALL sing second verse

"The First Noel"

Narrator: Moe looked up in wonder, scratching his little chin.

Moe: I know about this star,

Narrator: He said. And he began to grin.

Narrator: Then scampering Marie came to see the awesome sight. The donkeys brayed; the chickens clucked; they all were in a fright.

Moe: Now calm down, everybody,

Narrator: Moe shouted above the noise.

Moe: This star will not harm us. It's a sign to rejoice.

Narrator: Just then a man and lady came into the creatures' home.

(Enter MARY and JOSEPH. JOSEPH helps MARY sit in hay.)

The man made a soft place for the lady to sit on.

Narrator: The creatures grew quiet, not knowing how to act. Then Moose puffed up his big gray chest and started to react.

Narrator: Moe pulled him back by the tail and told him to behave.

Moe: These are very special people sent here to be safe.

Narrator: Moose yanked his long tail free and glared at his good friend.

Moose: Whatever do you mean? I do not want to lend my home and hay to strangers whatever you believe. Why are they so special? I'm gonna make them leave!

Marie: No, please!

Narrator: Pleaded Marie.

Rudy/Ruby: Moe is right,

Narrator: Said Rudy.

Narrator: Nudging Big Moose, Dawn said:

Dawn: Calm down, and you will see.

Narrator: Carrie and Claude shushed them:

Carrie & Claude: Be quiet, we hear a sound.

Narrator: They all hushed and listened. Wide-eyed, they turned around.

Narrator: In the lady's arms, lay a precious bundle, cooing and gurgling. The creatures were quite humbled.

ALL sing first verse

"Away In The Manger"

Narrator: Inching closer, Moose took a peek and then he smiled wide. This was no usual man-child. He was filled with love inside.

ALL sing first verse

"What Child Is This?"

Narrator: Leo looked up and saw the star,

Leo: It points to the Babe.

Narrator: Lisa said at the Wise Men's approach,

(Enter WISE MEN)

Lisa: A long journey they have made.

ALL sing first verse

"We Three Kings"

Narrator: Reverently, they laid down gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Lay gifts in front of babe) They bowed their heads in respect. Not a single word was heard.

Narrator: Happy tears filled the creatures' eyes.

Fred/Joan: I heard the angels say:

Angels: This is God's Son, sent to you, bringing love and joy today.

ALL sing first verse

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Narrator: They wiped away joyful tears.

Fawn: Look around for gifts to give.

Narrator: But all they had was their stable stall, the home in which they lived.

(ALL pick up hay, approach cradle, kneel, and hold out hay towards cradle.)

Narrator: Joyfully, led by Moose, they began to bring new hay to make God's Son more comfortable, welcoming his stay.

(Spotlight on NARRATOR)

Narrator: A long time ago, far, far away, even the creatures knew what we know today.

That God, the Creator

of every living thing,

sent His Son to save our souls,

Jesus, King of kings.

Out of meager hay,

they prepared a place for Him.

Let us prepare room in our hearts

and welcome Jesus in.

ALL sing first verse

"Joy To The World"

Ask Congregation to join in singing next verses "Joy To The World"

Lights out