Behold the King

Behold the King is a sweeping Christmas trilogy that tells the true story of Jesus' birth through three deeply moving and Bible-rich acts. From the quiet obedience of Mary and Joseph, to the awe of the shepherds and Magi, to the dangerous tension with King Herod, each act brings Scripture to life with historical insight, emotional depth, and reverent drama. Whether performed in full or in parts, this powerful presentation invites audiences to behold the King—Jesus, Messiah, and Savior.

Estimated Run-Time

• Full Trilogy: ~2 hours and 30 minutes (including 15-minute intermission)
• Act I – Let Us Go with Him to Bethlehem: 25–30 minutes
• Act II – Unto You is Born This Day: 40 minutes
• Acts III & IV – One Small King: 70 minutes

Each act can be performed separately or in combination, offering flexible options for churches and theatre groups.

Cast Number

• Minimum Cast: ~25 actors (roles vary across acts)
• Expandable: Roles for additional characters, extras (shepherds, priests, Magi, women, etc.)
• Flexible: Some roles can be doubled or gender-adapted with discretion.

Biblical References

Primary Scriptures:

• Luke 1–2
• Matthew 1–2
• John 1
• Isaiah 7:14; 9:6
• Micah 5:2
• Daniel 7
• Psalm 22
• Genesis 50:20
• Matthew 17; John 14

Each act draws directly from Scripture (with many verses quoted verbatim) and includes rich theological symbolism, Messianic prophecy, and gospel truths.

Set Design Overview

Since the play spans multiple locations—Nazareth, Bethlehem, Herod’s palace, the fields, and the temple—a minimalist, modular set works best. Use lighting, props, and movable set pieces to transition between scenes.

Suggested Set Areas (Staging Zones)

• Home Interior (Nazareth) – Simple wooden table, stool, weaving materials (Mary), carpenter's bench (Joseph)
• Stable or Cave (Bethlehem) – Manger, hay bales, lanterns, wooden troughs, cloth swaddling
• Fields (Shepherds) – Rock, staff, sack, fire ring (suggested with light), sky backdrop or star cloth
• Herod’s Palace – Throne or ornate chair, columns or drapes, table with scrolls or goblet
• Temple/Court – Dais or platform, curtain or stone-looking backdrop
• Journey Scenes (Shepherds, Magi) – Use projection or silhouette cutouts to suggest distance

Optional: Use projection backdrops or lighting cues to suggest setting shifts (e.g., a glowing star, or temple columns).

Sample script - Behold the King: A Christmas Trilogy

Download:  Behold the King sample script

Excerpt from Act I: Let Us Go with Him to Bethlehem

Scene: A quiet room in Nazareth. MARY is alone, working. A sudden light glows. The angel GABRIEL appears.

MARY
(startled, rising)
What—? Who are you?

GABRIEL
Hail, thou that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women.

MARY
(troubled, confused)
What manner of greeting is this?

GABRIEL
Fear not, Mary.
For thou hast found favor with God.
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great,
and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David.

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever;
and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

MARY
(overwhelmed)
How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

GABRIEL
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.
Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God.

And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth,
she hath also conceived a son in her old age.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.

MARY
(bowing her head)
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it unto me according to thy word.

(GABRIEL departs. A hush settles over the room. MARY is quiet, deep in awe.)

Excerpt from Act II: Unto You Is Born This Day

Scene: A quiet hillside outside Bethlehem. Several shepherds are gathered. The night is calm.

SHEPHERD 1
(looking up)
The stars are so bright tonight. Almost like… they're watching.

SHEPHERD 2
Watching what? Us? Just a few smelly shepherds keeping sheep?

SHEPHERD 3
(laughing)
Speak for yourself. I had a bath last new moon.

(Suddenly, a brilliant light floods the stage. The shepherds fall back in fear. An ANGEL appears, radiant.)

ANGEL
Fear not! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!

(A pause. The shepherds look at one another in awe.)

SHEPHERD 1
Did he say… Christ the Lord?

ANGEL
And this shall be a sign unto you:
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.

(Suddenly, a host of angels appears, voices rising in heavenly song.)

ANGEL HOST
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

(The light fades. The shepherds stare into the night sky, stunned.)

SHEPHERD 2
Well? What are we waiting for?

SHEPHERD 3
Let us go now—even to Bethlehem—and see this thing which has come to pass!

Download:  Behold the King sample script

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