The story of the First Christmas: This play is ideal for young children or children who are learning English as a second language. It is adapted from the First Christmas play in Treasure Atttic: Christmas Friends by www.freekidstories.org

1. The Story of the First Christmas – Play
Characters
 Narrator
 Mary
 Angel Gabriel
 Joseph
 Roman Soldier
 Innkeeper
 Shepherd 1
 Shepherd 2
 Angels (2)
Narrator: Once upon a time there was a young woman named Mary. She lived in a
town called Nazareth. Mary was soon to be married to a poor carpenter named
Joseph. One night, the angel Gabriel came to visit her. Mary woke up when her
room filled with light.
Mary: What is happening?
Angel Gabriel: Don’t be afraid, Mary. I came to tell you that you are going to be
the mother of God’s Son! His name will be Jesus.
Mary: That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to tell Joseph!
(next scene)
Narrator: Several months later, Caesar Augustus, the great Roman king, made a
new law.
Roman Soldier: Everyone listen up! Caesar Augustus says that everyone must
return to the place where their family is from to pay their taxes.
Joseph: Mary, this means we will have to travel to Bethlehem. It will be a long
trip.
Mary: Don’t worry, God will be with us.

2. (next scene)
Narrator: Joseph and Mary travelled a long way to Bethlehem. When they got
there they were very tired.
Joseph: I’ll find us a place to stay. (knocks on door)
Innkeeper: I’m sorry, everyone is here to pay their taxes and all the inns are full.
There is no room anywhere.
Joseph: But we’ve travelled all the way from Nazareth and my wife is about to
have a baby. We must find a place!
Innkeeper: Well, maybe I could help you. You see, I have a stable down the road.
It’s nothing fancy, but you can stay there if you’d like.
Joseph and Mary: Thank you so much!
(next scene)
Narrator: That very night, a little boy was born to Mary. She wrapped Him in
blankets to keep Him warm, and laid Him in a manger. A manger is a kind of a box
that farmers put hay in, to feed the animals, and that was the first bed that Jesus
had!
At the same time, out on the hillside some shepherds were watching their sheep.
Shepherd 1: I’m tired. I’m going to go to sleep.
Shepherd 2: Me too.
Shepherd 1: Look at that light! What is it?
Shepherd 2: I’m scared!
Angel Gabriel: Don’t be afraid, for today a Savior, Christ the Lord, is born in
Bethlehem! You will find Him in a stable, lying in a manger.
Angels: Glory to God in the highest! Peace on Earth to men of good will! (Angels
leave)

3. Shepherd 1: Let’s go to Bethlehem and find the baby the angels told us about.
Shepherds 2: Yes, let’s go!
Narrator: So the shepherds left their sheep on the hillside and went down to
Bethlehem where they found the stable and the manger, that rough little bed,
just as the angels had told them.
Joseph: Welcome! Come in!
Shepherd 2: What a lovely baby! What’s his name?
Mary: His name is Jesus.
Narrator: And that’s the story of the very first Christmas, when God sent us Jesus,
His Son, to earth.