What you need
A Script
- Your congregation may already have a script that works. Please consider sending the script to the Marks of Mission Sunday school website so that others can be inspired by your work.
- Otherwise, A Simple Nativity with Optional Introduction is a straightforward, uncomplicated script that will yield positive results. The Optional Introduction will work to challenge older children or youth who would like a speaking part.
Performance Date and Time
- You may already have a traditional date for the nativity play.
- If you choose to use A Simple Nativity Play, the play can easily happen during a Eucharist in place of the last hymn before dismissal.
Church Bulletin Announcements
- Start calling for Christmas nativity volunteers and donations for costumes, fabrics and props in September.
- “The children of the Sunday school will be staging a nativity play this year. We need costumers, an assortment of clean fabrics, a small selection of costumes from other cultures and some props.” See all the needed items noted in bold below. You may add the needed-items list to your announcement.
- Find a storage spot for costumes and fabrics. You will need cardboard boxes.
- Be prepared to announce a cut-off date for fabric donations: “Thank you to everybody who donated fabrics for the nativity play. We now have enough.”
The Help of the Church Organist or Musician and Soloist
- Show the church organist the script for A Simple Nativity and invite the organist to join in. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is well known enough that the organist would not need to be at all rehearsals but would benefit from at least one. If you rehearse without the organist, ask for the tempo of the song to help you rehearse.
- If you use another musician to help you, the above also applies.
- A soloist will sing the first verse of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” in A Simple Nativity.
Volunteers
- Costumers Costumers assess costume needs—see Costumes, page 3.They gather materials and assist parents in storing costumes and dressing. Costumers are the key to making the play run smoothly—one, two or three good costumers for your nativity play will be like gold.
- Carpenter A carpenter creates a backdrop if you decide to use one.
- Sunday school players: shepherds, angels, wise men and animals Animal roles are often enjoyed by young children. Some shepherds may be parents who will help guide the very young children. Older children may like to choose whether they will play an angel or shepherd.
- The Holy Family are members of the congregation who have a new baby. The role of the Holy Family is simple but effective. A busy family with a new baby can take on this part without too much stress. If you do not have a family with a new baby in your congregation, this is an ideal time to invite a new family to take part in an incredible experience.
Set and Backdrop
- You may simply use the altar or the windows behind the altar as your backdrop OR
- A selection of church banners may be mounted on stands behind the “action” OR
- Ask a carpenter in your congregation to build a simple sturdy frame to hang lightweight curtains—colourful fabric lining with shower curtain clips works well.
- Choir risers are excellent for players to stand on.
- If you are using the Optional Introduction to A Simple Nativity, you will need two very large pieces of heavy fabric—consider painting drop-cloth canvas. Whatever fabric you choose, make sure that it is heavy enough to be non-slip. Be sure it is secure.
Costumes
- For all nativity characters, begin collecting and storing costumes. It will take about three years to gather a cache of costumes. Every year, the costumers’ task becomes simpler.
- You may rely on the fabrics collected through your fabric donation announcement in September OR ask players to bring their own costumes, using the guidelines below.
- All players will need simple undergarments: shorts and plain T-shirts or tank tops will do.
- Bare feet are an easy option, provided the floor is safe and free of anything harmful.
MARY, JOSEPH and the SHEPHERDS
– One large fabric piece that extends from the front calf to the back calf of the actor
– One fabric piece that acts as a tie around the waist
– One fabric cloak that drapes over the shoulder
– One fabric headdress that hangs and is tied with a headband.
If you do not have time to sew or cannot sew, the above fabric pieces can be cut with pinking shears. Obviously, finished edges are excellent when possible.
WISE MEN
– Traditional dress from different cultures purchased from a thrift store OR
– Same as MARY, JOSEPH and the SHEPHERDS, with bright fabric.
– Consider traditional dress hats, straw hats or turbans.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity.
ANGELS
– Same as MARY, JOSEPH and the SHEPHERDS, with white fabric and without the headdresses.
– You may also invite players to bring their own white costumes.
– Wings are not necessary, unless you have them or want them.
– Glitter of any kind is an attractive addition if you like it.
ANIMALS
– Glitter, if you like it.
– Baseball caps with white cotton balls glued onto them make great sheep.
– Toques, collected through donations or bought at a discount store, with simple felt ears sewn onto them help create the look of many animals.
– Braided yarn, pinned or tied through a belt buckle at the back, makes a simple tail.
– Gloves as paws complete the animal look.
GOSPEL STORYTELLERS
– If you are using the Optional Introduction, enjoy coming up with something original for the GOSPEL STORYTELLERS to wear.
– If the GOSPEL STORYTELLERS are older children, they may like to come up with their own costumes.
– Jeans and white T-shirts with whatever scarves are the trend of the moment can be very effective.
Props
WISE MEN will need the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
- These gifts may be a few small empty boxes, wrapped in bright fabric and held on trays OR
- A few elaborate glass bottles wrapped firmly in clear, strong packing tape, so that the bottles are shatterproof.
