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Getting excitable
Child 4 (excitedly to other children) (use italic if preferred) Child 5 (more quietly, and cupping ear)
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
Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com
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Ho Ho Ho (Santas Song)
Chorus Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, Santas on his way.Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho. Riding on his sleigh! Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, Rudolfs 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 Im sure theyll 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 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, whats 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, were sorry, its just: (Im) We cant settle down, but we know that we must (I) (I) (I) (But Santa is coming, they said in a mutter We cant settle down, were all of a flutter) Ill tell you what children, Ill do my best (sweetheart/childs name) To help you calm down and get some rest Now get back in bed and Ill 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 (childs 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 Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child Children (or child)
Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com
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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 didnt 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.
Hear ye, hear ye; listen to me Caesar Augustus has made a decree All of his people, thats 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!
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 Gods 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:
EtcAnother 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
Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com
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. Whats that in the sky, an incredible light? Yes, what could it be at this time of night? (Oh) The lights moving closer, what could it be? Its so bright Im finding it hard now to see. Cover your eyes and get down on the ground There could be some serious danger around!
Angel walks out to centre stage to join shepherd(s) Angel (Talking to shepherd(s) Do not be afraid, I bring news of a birth Gods son has been sent as a baby to earth. Youll 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. Grandpas 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 Lets go to Bethlehem, search for this king (Ill) Shepherd 2 But what shall we take as a gift to Him? (I) Im just a shepherd; thats all I am! Shepherd 3 (or shepherd 2) Then why dont we take Him our very best lamb. (So) (I) (my) Grandpa (reading the book)
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
Notes 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? Hes special, thats clear. (I) Weve brought you a lamb; shall we just leave it here? (Ive) (I) Please can I get close to kneel at His feet? (we) Ahh, look at the babyisnt he sweet.
The shepherd(s) kneel to Jesus, and then stay sat in the stable scene 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 Gods 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. Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com
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Well, Herod had a plan. He didnt 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 theyve said turns out to be true Hell be more important than me; THAT WONT DO!! When they all get back with the news of the boy Ill send out my soldiers and have him DESTROYED!! Ha Ha Ha!
Notes (Villainous pantomime laugh at the end of his speech, rubbing hands)
But dont 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..
Herod
I think Ive been tricked, those three wise men Are not coming back from Bethlehem! This is not fairI will not rest Till everyone says that HERODS THE BEST!! HA HA HA!
But Herod and his horrible, jealous behaviour..well, thats another story. Lets 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
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 individuals 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. 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 Nichlas) 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. Grandpas reading of the story means that the flow of the story is complete regardless of reductions in the speaking parts. Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com Character name
Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com
Page 27 of 29 SAINT NICHOLAS VERSION (Alternative page 4) Ho Ho Ho (Santas Song) Chorus Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, St Nichlas 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, Rudolfs 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 Im sure theyll make a happy noise I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR Chorus St Nichlas (and Rudolf) disappear out of sight and the children get back to being excited in the bedroom. Notes Narrator 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, whats all of this noise? All of a sudden the children sit down (child sits) And Grandpa looks cross with a terrible frown St Nichlas is coming, were sorry, its just: (Im) We cant settle down, but we know that we must (I) (I) (I) (St Nichlas is coming, they said in a mutter We cant settle down, were all of a flutter) Ill tell you what children, Ill do my best (sweetheart/childs name) To help you calm down and get some rest Now get back in bed and Ill 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 (childs 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 Narrator Use italics if you only have 1 child Children (or child)
Grandpas Nativity Story Copyright Angela Yardy 2011 Buy from www.bestchildrensnativity.com