All Nature Rejoiced

Animals whisper. A turtle huffs in late. Angels deliver world-shaking news with the steadiness of big brothers. Shepherds blink in the dark, then run. Kings follow an old promise and a new star. And all creation—barnyard to Bethlehem—leans in to welcome Jesus.

“All Nature Rejoiced” is a kid-friendly Christmas program where younger ones play animals and birds, older kids become Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and Wise Men. It’s simple to stage, lively to watch, and designed for shared lines so everyone shines. Expect smiles, a few hee-haws, and a sanctuary full of quiet wonder.

Cast:    20+

• Angel Gabriel
• Angel Michael
• Mary
• Joseph
• Shepherds (any number)
• Kings (any number)
• Animals (donkey, sheep, cow, goat, dog, cat, camel, turtle)
• Birds (dove, robin, owl)
• Little Drummer Boy (child with some singing ability)
  • (add as many non-speaking actors, (angels, shepherds, animals) as available)

Bible Reference:  Luke 2

Set:

• Animals and birds are in an acting location on one side of the stage, the nativity scene at the other side
• Little Drummer Boy sits among Animals/Birds but has no part until his song when he will gently tap the drum and move to the nativity scene, others sing along
• After Scene III, (before Silent Night), electronic candles on, house lights down

Lighting:  standard

Sound:  wireless mics if available

Song: 

• Little Drummer Boy (between Part II and III)
• Silent Night (at the end)
  • (or other song(s) as desired)

SFX:  none

Costumes:

•  Animals and birds may wear small items or identifying images, costumes basic or elaborate as desired
• Angels, wise men, Mary and Joseph in traditional attire
• Little Drummer Boy is dressed appropriately

Props:  Little drum; electronic candles for all; handheld mic for younger children; optional amplification for older cast; optional simple animal/bird identifiers (ears, scarves, small images).

Special Instructions:  The three parts in the program flow immediately into the next, no stops

Time: 30

Sample script:

Part I

Turtle, puffing:
What is happening here? . . . . I heard the excitement and I came as fast as I could!

Donkey: Oh Turtle, you are slow getting here again! . . Most of the excitement is over.
Hee-hawwww!

Sheep: Don’t baaaa eeee, (be), cruel Donkey, Turtle came as fast as he could.

Dog: Woofff, that’s right Donkey, all of us animals came as fast as we could and did our
part to be here for the new baby and his parents.

Cow: I was mooooost, (most), proud of you Dog, protecting at the door so no one would
come in to hurt the baby.

Turtle, puffing:
Tell me please, who is the baby?

Goat: I know, I know Turtle, it is the baaaaa-aby, (baby), Jesus.

Robin: OK Goat, but who are the baby’s parents? . . . Chirp chirp!

Cat: I know that Robin, it’s the big humans over by the meeeooowww-anger, (manger).

Camel, stomps foot:
Well Cat, between you and me, I overheard the owner of this barn say that the
mother is Mary and the father is Joseph.

Owl: Really Camel, that is strange. Hoooo-w, (how), could Joseph be the father? I heard
the angels say that this baby was the son of God!

Dove: Strange indeed Owl! . . . How coooooo-uld that be?

Song: Away In A Manger

Part II - Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Michael, Shepherd(s), Kings

Gabriel: I am the angel Gabriel.
I was on a special assignment, sent to earth from God.

Michael: I am the angel Michael, and I went with Gabriel.

Gabriel: God saw that the people he had created were not following his rules.
They needed someone special to show them how to live.

Michael: Only God’s own son, Jesus, could do.

Gabriel: So God sent me to the little town of Nazareth.
To a young girl, Mary.

Mary comes on stage, approached by Gabriel & Michael

Gabriel: Mary, I have wonderful news for you, news from God.
Mary, God is very pleased with you, and has a very special duty for you.

Michael: There is no reason to be afraid, . . for God is with you.
Here is the good news . .. you will give birth to a son.

Mary: How can that happen . . when I am not married?

Gabriel: Mary, you will give birth to a son, call him Jesus.
He is the son of God Himself.

Michael: He will be great and will save people from their life of sin.

Mary: I am here to serve God’s purpose in my life.
Let it happen.

Joseph comes on stage

Joseph: What is this news?
How can my Mary be pregnant?
What will people say?
I love her and will look after her, but I can’t marry her because of what she has
done.

Gabriel: Listen to me Joseph!
Mary’s baby is God’s gift to her and to all people.
That baby is the son of God, sent to bring salvation to all.

Michael: Don’t be afraid to marry Mary and to provide support to Mary and her son.
And remember to give the baby the name Jesus, a sign to everyone that he brings
salvation.

(pause)

Gabriel: Mary and Joseph were married, living in Nazareth.
About that time Caesar Augustus called for a census, a time when all people in the
country would be counted.

Michael: So Joseph and Mary, who was now soon to have her baby, had to go the long and
dangerous trip to Nazareth.
While in Nazareth the time came for Jesus to be born.

Gabriel: And since there was no room in the inn, Mary was taken to a stable where Jesus
was born.

Mary and Joseph take position behind the manger

Gabriel: Some time later God again instructed we angels to return to earth to announce the
birth of Jesus.

Michael: I expected we would be making the announcement to the high priest in the temple.

Gabriel: But God sent us to a group of shepherds, looking after their sheep in the valley
below Bethlehem.

shepherd(s) come on stage, react to Gabriel’s words

Gabriel: Do not be afraid.
I have wonderful news for you, news directly from God!

Michael: The Messiah which God has long promised is now born, right here in Bethlehem.
You will find the child, in a stable, warmly wrapped in cloths and lying in the
manger.

Gabriel: I and all the hundreds of angels who were with me, were so excited, we couldn’t
help singing out . . .

Michael & Gabriel, in unison:
Glory to God in the highest . .
Peace on earth to all God’s people!

Shepherd(s): What amazing news . . . .

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare Ministries members receive this complete script—and access to our entire library—for free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.