by Rebecca Bird based on Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25

SET
You'll need a door labeled Ivan's Incredible Inn.

PROPS

• scroll
• “No Room in the Inn” sign
• doll
• box for a manger

COSTUMES

A bathrobe or long dress for each Bible character.

CHARACTERS
Narrator
Prophet
Angel
Mary
Joseph
Innkeeper
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2

Hint: One person can play multiple parts, such as prophet and innkeeper. Change costumes to create separate characters.

Scene 1: NARRATOR begins story.

Narrator: This is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ — the fulfillment of the words God spoke through the prophets.

Prophet (reading from scroll): A young girl will have a Son and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace . . . (pauses)

Narrator: Many years later . . .

Prophet: I'm not finished yet.

Narrator: My apologies.

Prophet: Immanuel, Savior, Redeemer and the Lamb. (PROPHET exits.)

Narrator: Many years later, God sent an angel to the town of Nazareth. The angel had a message for a young woman named Mary.

(MARY kneels before the ANGEL.)

Angel: Don't be afraid, Mary. The Lord has blessed you. He will give you a Son, and you will name Him Jesus.

Mary: How can this be? I am not married.

Narrator: But Mary was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

(ANGEL and MARY stare at the NARRATOR.)

Narrator: Pardon me. Continue.

Angel: With God anything is possible. Your Son will become a King, and His kingdom will never end!

Mary: I am the Lord's servant. If this is God's will, may it be as you say.

(MARY and ANGEL exit. JOSEPH enters pacing back and forth.)

Narrator: When Joseph heard this news, he did not know what to do.

Joseph: Should I take Mary as my wife? Or shouldn't I?

Narrator: He decided to sleep on it.

(JOSEPH continues pacing.)

Narrator: HE DECIDED TO SLEEP ON IT!

Joseph: I know. I'll sleep on it.

(JOSEPH falls asleep. ANGEL enters.)

Narrator: While Joseph slept, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

Angel: Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the Holy Spirit has given her this child. She will have a Son. And you will name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.

(JOSEPH bows to ANGEL, who exits.)

Narrator: When Joseph woke up, he knew God wanted him to take Mary as his wife. So that's what he did.

Joseph (running off stage): Mary!

Scene 2: MARY and JOSEPH arrive in Bethlehem.

Narrator: At that time, Emperor Augustus, ordered a headcount of the entire Roman empire. Everybody had to travel to his hometown. So Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem. When they arrived, Mary was ready to have her baby so they searched for a place to stay.

Joseph: This looks promising. (JOSEPH knocks on door labeled Ivan's Incredible Inn. INNKEEPER answers.)

Innkeeper: What is this racket? Can't you read the sign?

Joseph: What sign? This sign? (Points to inn name on door.)

(INNKEEPER looks for the sign, finds it on the ground and hangs it on the door.)

Innkeeper: No, this sign.

Joseph (reading sign): “No room in the inn.” But my wife is about to have a baby.

Innkeeper: There's a stable out back.

(INNKEEPER watches MARY and JOSEPH cross to stable.)

Narrator: So Mary gave birth to a Son, wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger because . . . (looks at INNKEEPER) there was no room for them at the inn.

Innkeeper: Yeah, I know. Make it my fault. Can I help it that you need reservations to stay at my inn? (smiling at audience) Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Narrator: And so God's Son was born in Bethlehem — long before Visa and MasterCard were accepted - and He was named Jesus.

Scene 3: SHEPHERDS tend their sheep.

Narrator: Now there were some shepherds in the countryside that night, taking care of their flocks.

Shepherd 1: I spy something white.

Shepherd 2: Sheep?

Shepherd 1: Yep. Your turn.

Shepherd 2: I spy something black.

Shepherd 1: Black sheep?

Shepherd 2: Yep. Your turn.

Shepherd 1: I spy something white . . . and gold!

(ANGEL appears and SHEPHERDS bow.)

Narrator: An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the shepherds panicked!

Shepherd 2: It's an unidentified flying object! Quick! Call the police!

Narrator: But the angel said:

Angel: Don't be afraid. I bring good news of great joy. Today, a Savior is born. You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

(SHEPHERDS shield their eyes from the ANGEL.)

Narrator: Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared saying:

Off-stage voices: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men!

Scene 4: SHEPHERDS run to the manger and bow.

Narrator: The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem where they found Mary and Joseph and the baby. They worshiped the child and told everyone what had happened.

Well, we've come to the end of my story. But this was only the beginning of God's wonderful plan. One day all people will bow down and worship Jesus the Savior as they did on that holy night.

	Q: What is the best way to groom a pet rodent? A: Mouse-wash. Brennan P., 10, Florida Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe