(Written by Alison Bennett, adapted by Oasis team)
The stage is divided into two halves, a modern half and a traditional half. Two nativity stories are told concurrently - the traditional version, and a modern version. Two sets of characters are needed. The "traditional" characters do not have speaking parts, they simply form a tableau (a good way of involving younger kids). The "modern" characters engage in dialogue.
Two readers are also required and a group of carol singers.
Speaking Characters:
| MM MJ MI YP1 YP2 |
Modern Mary Modern Joseph Modern Inkeeper Young Person 1 Young Person 2 |
TRADITIONAL
Reader 1:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. 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 arid line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
(While 1 is reading Mary and Joseph walk down the aisle onto the stage and out through the side door.)
Reader 2:
At that time the EC sent an order that all members of the European Community must renew their current passports. This was the first of a new system of registration. All went to their home countries to be registered. So Joe left Hartlepool, a town in North East England, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Israel because, believe it or not, he was born there. Joe registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and was now pregnant.
(Enter MM and MJ)
MM: Joe, hurry up, we’ve got to catch the plane.
MJ: OK, OK, I’m coming.
MM: It’s bad enough that we only just managed to get flights without being late for them.
MJ: I know. Have you got the tickets?
MM: Of course.
MJ: OK then, I’m ready.
MM: At last! did you arrange a hire car in Israel?
MJ: I tried but there were none left.
MM: I don’t believe it! Oh that’s just great.
MJ: Don’t worry, we’ll sort something out. Come on.
(Exit)
TRADITIONAL
Innkeeper goes onto stage.
Reader 1: ‘Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem and tried to find somewhere to stay. They tried everywhere but the only answer they got was “No room”. Then just as they were about to give up, one innkeeper said that they could use his stable as it was warm and dry. The time came for Mary to have her first son and she wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger.
(As Reader 1 reads ,Mary and Joseph go onto stage through door, go up to the innkeeper and Joseph shakes hands with him. The innkeeper gestures that they can stay in his stable (Offstage). As the reading finishes Mary, Joseph and innkeeper exit offstage, with innkeeper leading.)
MODERN
Reader 2:
While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth and they had to find a place to stay, but the hospitals were closed because of strikes and the hotels were fully booked. Eventually, they found an empty garage. Mary had a child, a boy. They wrapped him in Joe’s T-shirt and laid him in a tool box.
(Enter MM, MJ and MI)
MM: Just look at one more hotel, there’s bound to be a room somewhere. If we don’t ask we won’t get one.
MJ: OK, then keep up.
MM: It’s bad enough we had to travel all the way to Israel at the last minute because of some stupid legislative law, we had to travel all the way from the airport in that old banger you called a hire car. And I’m 9 months pregnant, and you want me to keep up!!!
MJ: I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m tired too and I want to find a place to stay as much as you do. Look, let’s try here.
MM: OK then.
(they go up to the innkeeper)
MJ: Hello, we were wondering if you had any rooms, you see Mary’s pregnant and we need somewhere to stay.
MI: Well, I don’t have any more rooms but...
MJ: Please...we’ve tried everywhere. Do we have to sleep on the streets?
MI: Um...if you’re really desperate there’s a garage round the back that’s got a spare sofa and some rubbish in. I think there’s a heater somewhere.
MJ: Oh thanks, that’s great. Please can you show us. Mary is so tired, and well, we are very grateful.
MM: Oh thank you!
(MM and MJ are led offstage past pulpit, by innkeeper.)
(The stage is totally clear)
Carol...
During the last verse of the carol...
TRADITIONAL:
Mary and Joseph enter and sit behind manger, towards back of stage. Shepherds also enter and sit to the side.
MODERN:
Mary and Joseph enter and sit on cushions behind toolbox towards back of stage. Carol singers also enter and stand behind Mary and Joseph.
TRADITIONAL
Reader 1:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of theheavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
Reader 2:
‘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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
(While they are reading the angels appear from the side and stand in front of the shepherds. The shepherds are frightened. Then angels go round the back of the manger and the shepherds get up from the side and go and sit in front of the manger. They all stay there.
Reader 1:
That night, some young people were walking along the road. Then an angel stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them and they were very frightened. The angel said to them, “bo not be afraid. I am bringing you good news, that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Saviour was born in Bethlehem, he is Christ the Lord. This is how you will know him, you will find a baby wrapped in a T-shirt lying in a tool box.” Then a group of carol singers burst into song and the angel left them.
(The carol singers start to hum ‘While shepherds watched their flocks).
The young people were amazed and decided to go to Bethlehem. When they had seen the baby, they told everyone what they had seen.
When Reader 1 is reading the young people walk on to the steps. When the ‘Angel of the Lord’ appears, they look frightened Stay still until 1 has finished talking, then they walk on to the stage.
YP1: So, what do you think of that then?
YP2: You...you, you mean you saw it too?
YP1: Of...of.,.of .,.,,course I did.
YP2: Do you think it’s true then?
YP1: Well, what else could it have been? It’s not every day you see something like that!
YP2: Oh. Shall we go then?
YP1: We might as well, what have we got to lose? We weren’t doing anything good tonight anyway.
YP2: Ok then, I know the garage the angel was on about, it's not far. Come on I’ll race you.
(They go round the back and stand with carol singers)
TRADITIONAL
Reader 2:
Wise men came from the east followed a star. The star they had seen went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
MODERN
Reader 1:
At that time there were businessmen in the location who had come to survey the area on which the garage was situated. When the businessmen reached the garage they found it was in use and went inside. When they realized what they had found they were filled with joy and stood in awe. They gave the baby gifts of rings, perfume and shares in an undertakers. God warned the businessmen in a dream not to sell their story to the papers and they didn’t.
While Reader 1 is reading the businessmen walk down the aisle and up on to stage, present their gifts to the baby and kneel round the manger.