The Christmas Story
The Christmas Story for A Small Choir and Church
A Small Church Choir
Props: Children wearing biblical costumes and doing choreography for the song “Away In a Manger”
Scripture: Using NIV from Bible Gateway
Two Narrators: Stand left stage. Wear red and green tops
Choir: Center stage. Wear red scarves, shirts, sweaters, and dark pants if possible (May be only as many as 10-15 members)
Sign Holders: These can be people who cannot attend practice or last minute helpers. Provide Santa hats for them.
Keyboard or Organ – may use a CD or soundtrack if that is what you have available. Play softly during narration and as sign holders cross stage.
Manger Scene: Right of stage
Angels: (3-5 children) These may be used or omitted depending on availability. Otherwise, the narrator may read. Wear white robes and silver or gold headpieces.
Simple Mini Program for the Small Church Choir
Props: Children wearing biblical costumes and doing choreography for the song “Away In a Manger”
Scripture: Using NIV from Bible Gateway
Two Narrators: Stand left stage. Wear red and green tops
Choir: Center stage. Wear red scarves, shirts, sweaters, and dark pants if possible (May be only as many as 10-15 members)
Sign Holders: These can be people who cannot attend practice or last minute helpers. Provide Santa hats for them.
Keyboard or Organ – may use a CD or soundtrack if that is what you have available. Play softly during narration and as sign holders cross stage.
Manger Scene: Right of stage
Angels: (3-5 children) These may be used or omitted depending on availability. Otherwise, the narrator may read. Wear white robes and silver or gold headpieces.
SIGN HOLDER: “The Birth of Jesus” Matthew 1:18-25 (sign holder crosses stage and walks back again across stage before exiting)
Narrator 1:
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Narrator 2
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
Choir: “Emanuel” (chorus), or “O Come O Come Emanuel”
Narrator 1
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (NIV)
Solo: Mary Did You Know (Dresses as a Mary or Joseph ‘depending on who sings’ at a manger scene to the side of the choir)
SIGN HOLDER: “Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-14” (sign holder crosses stage and walks back again across stage before exiting)
Narrator 2
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Choir: O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Narrator 1
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Angels: 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (NIV) (Exit or join in on the chorus with the adult choir)
Choir: Angels We Have Heard on High
SIGN HOLDER: “The Visit of the Shepherds Luke 2:15-20
” (sign holder crosses stage and walks back again across stage before exiting)
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Choir: Rise Up Shepherds and Follow, or While Shepherds Watch Their Flock
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)
Children’s Choir: “Away In A Manger” & We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Kidzministry.net November 25, 2010 Jeanne McIntosh, All rights reserved.
