Page 3 of 29 SANTA VERSION

Grandpa’s Nativity Story n.b. This script includes reference to Santa, his sleigh and his reindeer Rudolf. However, I am aware that not all countries have the same Christmas traditions, so a “St Nich’las” alternative for pages 3, 4, 11 & 12 is included (pages 26 to 29), with or without sleigh and/or Rudolf the reindeer, and includes appropriate alternative lines as required. Starts with a child/ children in pyjamas, sat up ‘in bed’, centre stage. All of the children’s parts can be combined to be said by just 1 child talking to the audience if preferred or divided differently for 2, 3, 4 or ultimately 5 children as I have written it. Alternatively, a narrator can use the italics to tell the story while the children just ‘act’ to it. Notes Narrator

Child 1 (to audience) Use italics if you only have 1 child, or ‘they’ if you would prefer the narrator to say this

Child 2 (to audience) Use italics if you would prefer the narrator to say this

Child 3 (to audience) Use italics if you would prefer the narrator to say this

Child 4 (excitedly to other children) (use italic if preferred) Child 5 (more quietly, and cupping ear)

Hello, and welcome to you all today. We hope you enjoy our nativity play. It starts as the children are sat up in bed (When Santa wants all of them sleeping instead!) It’s the night before Christmas and we should be snoring (I / they) Normally we would, because bedtime is boring! (I/ they) But how can we sleep when we know, way up high, (I/ they) (I/ they) That Santa is riding his sleigh in the sky? How can I sleep when I’m waiting to see (they) (they’re) If Santa has got any presents for me? (If Santa’s left anything under the tree.) Mum told me I shouldn’t get overexcited (them they) But how can I help it, when Santa’s invited?! (they) Santa is coming, Wey hey! Wey hoo! (and Rudolf too) I think I can hear his sleigh bells…Can you? Shhh…. Listen, I think I hear Santa you know… I’m sure I can hear a “Ho Ho Ho”……..

Getting excitable

Jingle some bells quietly Everyone quietens down

Rudolf comes on to centre stage pulling a ‘sleigh.’ (A decorated cardboard box will be fine, with some reins at the front for Rudolf to pull and some at the back for Santa to hold.) It could have a chair behind it for Santa to sit on, or Santa could just stand behind it. Santa comes on carrying a sack and saying “Ho, Ho, Ho”, then puts it in the ‘sleigh’, sits/stands behind sleigh and picks up the reins. Everyone sings the Ho Ho Ho song with Santa…

Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 4 of 29

Ho Ho Ho (Santa’s Song) Chorus Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, Santa’s on his way………….Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho. Riding on his sleigh! Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, Rudolf’s nose is bright……..Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, guiding through the night. I really love this time of year, I love to bring some happy cheer, To all the children far and near… I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR Chorus The sleigh is filled with lots of toys To take to all the girls and boys I’m sure they’ll make a happy noise… I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR Chorus Santa and Rudolf disappear out of sight and the children get back to being excited in the bedroom. Notes Narrator

Grandpa Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child Children (or child)

(Alternative lines for narrator) Grandpa

Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child

Now, back to the bedroom, where no-one is sleeping While, climbing the stairs, their Grandpa is creeping. He bursts through the door and in a stern voice Shouts What are you doing, what’s all of this noise? All of a sudden the children sit down (child sits) And Grandpa looks cross with a terrible frown But Santa is coming, we’re sorry, it’s just: (I’m) We can’t settle down, but we know that we must (I) (I) (I) (“But Santa is coming”, they said in a mutter “We can’t settle down, we’re all of a flutter”) I’ll tell you what children, I’ll do my best (sweetheart/child’s name) To help you calm down and get some rest Now get back in bed and I’ll read you a story That tells you, at Christmas, who should get the glory. The children all settled, and while Grandpa read (the child settled down) or (child’s name settled down) They pulled up their blankets and sat up in bed (she/he) (her/his) And this is the story that Grandpa Joe told; The Christmas Nativity Story of old…..

Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 5 of 29

Grandpa, (Opens the book and reads)

The story starts a long time ago, in a far away place, when a Roman Emperor called Caesar Augustus was ruling over all the people. He didn’t care how poor the people were, he was determined to make sure that no-one escaped his taxes, so he sent his soldiers to make a special announcement.

Roman Soldier (For a smaller cast Grandpa could read this)

Hear ye, hear ye; listen to me Caesar Augustus has made a decree All of his people, that’s everyone here And all of the empire, far and near. Must go to be registered where they were born So all of you, get packed, and set off at dawn!

Grandpa, (Reading from a book)

Notes Soldier, shouting bossily and reading from a scroll

So, a couple named Mary and Joseph set off from Nazareth where they lived, to travel to Bethlehem where Joseph had been born. Mary was expecting a very special baby, who an angel had told her was God’s son, and should be named “Jesus”

Mary and Joseph set off on their journey to Bethlehem (with donkey if possible) while all the children sing the next song (Bethlehem, Bethlehem) to the tune of Oranges and Lemons:

Bethlehem, Bethlehem (So Far Away) Bethlehem, Bethlehem, so far away. I hope when we get there, there’s somewhere to stay. I hope we can find a place to unwind. How long must we be so tired and weary? Bethlehem, Bethlehem, so far away. I hope when we get there, there’s somewhere to stay. I hope by God’s grace that we find a place. How long must we be so tired and weary?

Etc……Another 2 verses are sung during which Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem. The next page continues with simple rhyming couplet dialogues between Joseph and up to 4 innkeepers until they arrive at the stable. The preview then continues at page 6 when the angel tells the shepherds of the birth of baby Jesus

Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 7 of 29

Grandpa (reading the book)

Meanwhile, out in the fields, some shepherds were watching over their sheep, to keep them safe from dangerous wild animals. All of a sudden, a dazzling bright light appeared in the sky and the shepherds were terrified.

(Shepherds walk out to centre stage)

Notes Shepherd 1 Shepherd 2 (Alternatively shepherd 1 could say everything to audience)

Shepherd 3 (or shepherd 1 if you don’t have 3)

What’s that in the sky, an incredible light? Yes, what could it be at this time of night? (Oh) The light’s moving closer, what could it be? It’s so bright I’m finding it hard now to see. Cover your eyes and get down on the ground There could be some serious danger around!

(Shepherd(s) cover eyes and crouch down)

Angel walks out to centre stage to join shepherd(s) Notes Angel (Talking to shepherd(s)

Grandpa (reading the book)

Do not be afraid, I bring news of a birth God’s son has been sent as a baby to earth. You’ll find Him in Bethlehem, laid in His bed But not in a palace: a stable instead!

Then, all of a sudden a whole host of angels came from all around and the whole place was filled with beautiful music as they sang praises to God

Angels’ Hallelujah song starts playing. Alternative ideas for direction are as follows…… • A ‘host of angels’ can walk on to the introduction and then start singing to the hallelujahs as they walk on. Angels make graceful dance moves as they walk, twirl, raise arms etc. • Angels other than Gabriel can be imagined and all of the children sing

•

Children could sing individual lines separately from different places in the room. As each child sings they raise their arms on the word “Hallelujah” to visually represent being ‘surrounded by angels’

Angels’ Hallelujah (Sung twice to the tune of ‘Children of Jerusalem) Intro…. Hallelujah the Lord is king Hallelujah, praise the Lord. Hallelujah, praise His name. Hallelujah, praises sing. Hallelujah, praise the king. Refrain

Listen now, while angel voices sing. x2 (Cup ears as if listening) Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord is king. Angels drift off singing during the final refrain, so that the final hallelujahs fade into the background. Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 8 of 29 If required can just have 1 shepherd actor, representative of the shepherds and using italics, while talking to the audience Notes Shepherd 1 Let’s go to Bethlehem, search for this king (I’ll) Shepherd 2 But what shall we take as a gift to Him? (I) I’m just a shepherd; that’s all I am! Shepherd 3 (or shepherd 2) Then why don’t we take Him our very best lamb. (So) (I) (my) Grandpa (reading the book)

So the shepherds set off to Bethlehem to find the special baby.

Shepherd(s) walk to the stable scene as all children sing the 2nd verse of In Bethlehem a Babe was born, to the tune of “O Christmas Tree”

In Bethlehem a Babe Was Born (to the tune of O Christmas Tree): To Bethlehem the shepherds came to see the baby Jesus To Bethlehem the shepherds came to see the baby Jesus And for a gift they brought a lamb, and gave it to the “Son of Man” To Bethlehem the shepherds came to see the baby Jesus.

(Shepherds walk across to manger scene.)

Notes Shepherd 1 Shepherd 2 (Alternatively shepherd 1 can use italics to say everything)

Shepherd 3 (Or 1 &/or 2 together if no 3rd shepherd)

The angel was right, this is just as he (she) said The baby is laid in a poor manger bed. Please can we see Him? He’s special, that’s clear. (I) We’ve brought you a lamb; shall we just leave it here? (I’ve) (I) Please can I get close to kneel at His feet? (we) Ahh, look at the baby…isn’t he sweet.

The shepherd(s) kneel to Jesus, and then stay sat in the stable scene

Grandpa (reading from book)

So the shepherds stayed to worship the baby Jesus. How amazing! Nobody liked shepherds in those days, and yet they were the first people to hear about the birth of God’s son; and from an angel as well! That must have made them feel so special. But, some more people were on their way to see baby Jesus; some very important people. They were wise men, respected by everyone, because they knew so much. They studied the stars and found a new star which was so bright that they knew it meant something very special: that the baby who was going to be King of the Jews had been born……..

The script continues through the next page with speaking parts for the star and wise men etc. The preview then continues at page 10 with the Herod ‘pantomime villain’…. Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 10 of 29

Grandpa (reading from book)

King Herod (to the audience)

Grandpa (reading from book)

Herod

Well, Herod had a plan. He didn’t like the idea of a new king being more important than him, so he was very jealous, and he planned to find out where the baby was, and he would have him killed.

If all that they’ve said turns out to be true He’ll be more important than me; THAT WON’T DO!! When they all get back with the news of the boy I‘ll send out my soldiers and have him DESTROYED!! Ha Ha Ha!

But don’t worry, God warned them in a dream not to go back to King Herod, so he never did find out who the baby was who would be the King of the Jews…..

I think I’ve been tricked, those three wise men Are not coming back from Bethlehem! This is not fair…I will not rest Till everyone says that HEROD’S THE BEST!! HA HA HA!

Grandpa (reading from book)

Notes (Villainous pantomime laugh at the end of his speech, rubbing hands…)

Notes (hands on hips etc. Villainous laugh at end)

But Herod and his horrible, jealous behaviour…..well, that’s another story. Let’s get back to the three wise men, who were on their way to Bethlehem…

While the wise men come back on stage and walk to the stable, the children all sing verse 3 of

In Bethlehem a Babe Was Born (to the tune of “O Christmas Tree”) The preview now skips to show the character list and how the lines are allocated. Hopefully it will also give an idea of how parts can be adapted, omitted or added to suit your own personal requirements and cast size. Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 15 of 29 Casting List The script is deliberately adaptable so that you can miss out characters and some lines without spoiling the flow, so if you need to reduce it, or any individual’s lines, you will find that you are able to omit some blocks of script entirely as you choose. Everything is written in rhyming couplets which need to be maintained, so wherever there are variables according to cast size or gender or reductions to the script I have offered alternatives to rhyming couplets that would be affected, and these are in italics throughout. (By all means contact me if you need any other options and I will try to assist) Therefore, the casting list below is complete for anyone who chooses to use the script exactly as it is written, but each of the characters that can be omitted by choice are in italics and would reduce the cast accordingly. Character name

No. of rhyming Name of child Notes lines if actor unchanged 13 + 6 Narrator Grandpa Joe (Good reader 5 +4 required, could be adult.) Use page Plus reading 2 as a cover sheet for the ‘story book’ nativity story that Grandpa reads from, ie his script! from book 4 +2+2+4+2 Child 1 (Entirely adaptable to reduce 2+2+4 Child 2 or cut out, or share lines 2 Child 3 differently between more or less children as required, or 2 Child 4 just act to narration) 2 Child 5 none Santa (St Nich’las) none Rudolf 6 Roman Soldier None Mary 2 (repeated 4 Joseph times) + 3 2 Innkeeper 1 2 Innkeeper 2 2 Innkeeper 3 5 Innkeeper 4 4 Angel 1+1+2 Shepherd 1 3+2+2 Shepherd 2 (shepherd 1 can say all 2+1+2 Shepherd 3 shepherds lines if reqd) 2+4 Wise man 1 2+2 Wise man 2 2+2 Wise man 3 2+4+4 King Herod (preferable not to omit) 4 Star None Dancing angels In summary, the ideal cast would consist of Grandpa Joe (large part), narrator (split if preferred), 20 small speaking parts, 3 none speaking parts, and some dancing angels, plus or including a choir of singers, and any other walk on parts you choose to include (ie, donkey, more shepherds, guests in inns etc). The italics show that the cast can be effectively reduced to 10 as required and still create a tableau scene by the end. Generally speaking, alternative lines are suggested for the narrator for a smaller cast so the time taken should be almost the same, unless Herod is omitted. Grandpa’s reading of the story means that the flow of the story is complete regardless of reductions in the speaking parts. Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 26 of 29 SAINT NICHOLAS VERSION (Alternative page 3)

Grandpa’s Nativity Story The next 2 pages of the preview show how I have adapted the script at the necessary points to refer to Saint Nicholas (pronounced Saint in Nich’las to keep and stage. showsAll theofamendments to make Starts with a child/children pyjamas, sat upthe ‘inrhythm), bed’ centre the children’s parts to canavoid be reference to Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer or the sleigh. All of these alternative pages are included the combined to be said by just 1 child talking to the audience if preferred or divided differently for 2, 3, 4ator end of the document that everyone receives on purchase. ultimately 5 children as I have written it. Alternatively, a narrator can use the italics to tell the story while the children just ‘act’ to it. Nb. The script does make reference to leaving gifts under the tree. n.b. throughout the script St Nicholas is pronounced “St Nich’las” to fit better with the rhythm. If your tradition does not include the sleigh, or Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, alternative words are offered in SMALL CAPITAL LETTERS beneath the appropriate lines throughout the script (and the song). The song will still be appropriate as it simply refers to the laughter and giving side of St Nich’las Notes Narrator Hello, and welcome to you all today. We hope you enjoy our nativity play. It starts as the children are sat up in bed (St Nich’las wants all of them sleeping instead!) Child 1 (to audience) It’s the night before Christmas and we should be snoring Use italics if you only have 1 (I / they) child, or ‘they’ if you would Normally we would, because bedtime is boring! prefer the narrator to say this (I/ they) But how can we sleep when we know that meanwhile (I/ they) (I/ they) St Nich’las has presents to make us smile? Child 2 (to audience) How can I sleep when I’m waiting to see Use italics if you would (they) (they’re) prefer the narrator to say this If St Nich’las has any presents for me? (If he has left anything under the tree.) Child 3 (to audience) Mum told me I shouldn’t get overexcited Getting excitable Use italics if you would (them they) prefer the narrator to say this But how can I help it, when He is invited?! (they) St Nich’las is coming, Wey hey! Wey hoo! Child 4 (excitedly to other children) I think I can hear him laughing…Can you? Child 5 (more quietly, Shhh … Everyone quietens and cupping ear) Listen, I think that’s St Nich’las you know.. down I’m sure I can hear a “Ho Ho Ho”……..

Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com

Page 27 of 29 SAINT NICHOLAS VERSION (Alternative page 4) Ho Ho Ho (Santa’s Song) Chorus Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, St Nich’las is on his way……….Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho. Riding on his sleigh (WITH GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY!) Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, Rudolf’s nose is bright……..Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, guiding through the night. (STARS ARE SHINING) I really love this time of year, I love to bring some happy cheer, To all the children far and near… I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR Chorus The sleigh is filled with lots of toys (HIS SACK) To take to all the girls and boys I’m sure they’ll make a happy noise… I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR Chorus St Nich’las (and Rudolf) disappear out of sight and the children get back to being excited in the bedroom. Notes Narrator

Grandpa Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child Children (or child)

(Alternative lines for narrator) Grandpa

Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child

Now, back to the bedroom, where no-one is sleeping While, climbing the stairs, their Grandpa is creeping. He bursts through the door and in a stern voice Shouts What are you doing, what’s all of this noise? All of a sudden the children sit down (child sits) And Grandpa looks cross with a terrible frown St Nich’las is coming, we’re sorry, it’s just: (I’m) We can’t settle down, but we know that we must (I) (I) (I) (St Nich’las is coming”, they said in a mutter “We can’t settle down, we’re all of a flutter”) I’ll tell you what children, I’ll do my best (sweetheart/child’s name) To help you calm down and get some rest Now get back in bed and I’ll read you a story That tells you, at Christmas, who should get the glory. The children all settled, and while Grandpa read (the child settled down) or (child’s name settled down) They pulled up their blankets and sat up in bed (she/he) (her/his) And this is the story that Grandpa Joe told The Christmas Nativity Story of old…..

Grandpa’s Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com