Christmas Lighthouse

This creative and heartfelt Christmas play tells the Nativity story through the lens of light—portraying Jesus as the Light of the World, much like a lighthouse guiding ships through storms.

The story opens with Luke, the physician and Gospel writer, standing beneath a glowing lighthouse. He welcomes the audience, explaining that he has carefully investigated the events surrounding the birth of Christ. He introduces the story as a light that has pierced the darkness of the world.

From there, the narrative moves into a traditional Nativity, but with unique and memorable storytelling:

• Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, exhausted and turned away from the inn. The innkeeper and his wife, initially overwhelmed by the census crowd, eventually show compassion and send the couple to a stable out back.
• Shepherds in the field are startled by angels announcing the birth. Though poor and lowly, they are amazed and honored that they were chosen to hear the message first.
• Wise Men follow the light of a star across distant lands, marveling at the fulfillment of prophecy and pondering the world-changing implications of the Messiah’s arrival.
• Children in two groups (Junior and Primary) reenact scenes through dialogue, poetry, and a charming acrostic of the word LIGHTHOUSE, each letter revealing part of the Gospel message.

Throughout the play, Luke reappears to reflect on each scene, comparing Jesus to a lighthouse that provides guidance, safety, and hope in the storms of life.

Bible Reference: John 1:6-9, 8:12, 9:5, 12:36, 46

Cast: 32 +
Luke – any age teen and up
Mary
Joseph
Innkeeper
Innkeeper’s Wife
3 Shepherds

Group 1 - Shepherds Segment: 6 children (Junior boys and/or girls)
Group 2 – Angels Segment: 5 children (Junior boys and/or girls)

Lighthouse Acronym: 10 children (Primary boys and girls)

Set: Bare stage except for the following: A raised stage for Luke
A backdrop showing a lighthouse

Props: chair

Lighting: a sharp light at the top of the lighthouse, (could be a strobe but take the usual precautions of informing audience that a strobe is being used, it can create health hazards). Spotlights would be useful if available

Sound: as available

Costumes: likely all actors would be dressed in traditional Bible-period costumes

Special instructions:
lines for Primary children should be on PowerPoint or overhead, projected on rear wall for those situations where tiny voices are not clear

Music: Christmas carols may be added between segments as desired

Time: 45

Download: Sample Script

Sample Script:

Luke: The light!
What a glorious light!
How timely, how significant, the light from the lighthouse!
(looks around at audience, startled, smiles)
Oh, it is you, my honourable friend, Theophilus, oh yes, and I see you have
brought along some friends as well!
Welcome!
Welcome, indeed!
Since you are here, let me please take advantage of the moment to tell you
of all I know regarding the coming of the light.
(pause, looks into the audience, frowns)
The light . .
(pauses again, confused look, frowns)
The coming of the light . . . the Christ . . . The Messiah.
(starts to smile as though recognizing that the audience now understand)
Yes, yes, He!
(looks deep into the audience, frown more deeply confused)
Ahhhhhh, I see! There is among you more than one sceptic.
Fine, so be it!
Throughout history there has ever been the sceptic.
Has scepticism changed the facts by .. by . . (holds right thumb and index
finger close together) . . by this much?
(looks into the audience, a smile comes to his face, breaks out in loud
laughter)
Oh, my, my!
You would debate the evidence would you?
Come ahead then! Let us debate if you will!
Perhaps first you may want to understand and to know he with whom you
are debating?
I am Luke.
I am a man of science.
A doctor.
A physician.
(looks into audience as though listening to a comment, smiles)
Yes, yes, I am indeed sometimes known as the beloved physician.
(angry)
But the beloved physician is no fool!
I weigh facts, evaluate with reason.
And the fact is that so many others tried their hand at putting together a
story of the wonderful harvest of scripture and history that took place
among us.
I have studied, I have researched, I have interviewed, . (chuckles).
interrogated some may say.
I have examined in minute detail the reports handed down by the original
eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives.

Download: Sample Script

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