Live at the Manger

Step into Bethlehem like you’ve never seen it before—complete with microphones, news crews, and breaking headlines. Live At The Manger reimagines the birth of Christ through the lens of modern-day media coverage. Reporters jostle for quotes, the innkeeper defends his stable, shepherds stumble through interviews, and kings arrive with their stunning announcement.

This 30-minute production blends humor, sharp dialogue, and timeless truth, all set against the miracle of Christmas night. Perfect for churches and groups looking for a fresh way to retell the Nativity, the script uses satire and contrast to highlight the good news of Jesus’ birth: that the Messiah came quietly, yet the world would never be the same.

Cast: 9+

• Martha of Judea - a crass, loud TV reporter
• Abraham Ben-Joseph - a quiet, kindly newspaper man
• James Ben-Joram - a newsman
• Andrew – Innkeeper
• Jesse – Shepherd
• Jacob – Shepherd
• 1st King
• 2nd King
• 3rd King
• a large number of people for crowd scene
• (Note that any of the above could be male or female with only name changes)

Bible Reference:
Set:

• barn at upstage center, on the wall at Upstage Right is a sign:
  • Bethlehem Inn
  • Rooms by the Day
    Just below in red lettering to represent a neon sign
    • • NO VACANCY

Sound: wireless mics
Song: none
Lighting: as available
SFX: none
Props:

• bales of hay, cell phones, writing pads and pens, handheld mics, hats with press passes

Costumes:

• Bible period costumes.
• Costumes for Wise Men and their entourage will be very rich and ornate.
• Martha's costume will be much more colorful, whereas all others will be in rather drab colors.

Special Instructions:

• Martha will be very cold, professional character who warms up when the camera is on her.
• All other actors should show resentment mixed with fear for Martha but will have to appear warm in order to provide instant contrast for Martha.

Time: 30

Sample Script

(A mob of people are milling about in front of a barn at Upstage Center. As the scene opens, a group of reporters crowd in front of the barn, sticking microphones in front of a group of people, writing on pads, everyone talking loudly at the same time.)

Martha: Over here, please. A quote if you will for Channel 7 Action News. Here, over here please! You, Ben-Joseph! Back off! No one reads that rag of yours anyway! Step aside for the Channel 7 roving reporter! Over here! Sir! Sir!

Abraham: Back off yourself, Martha of Jericho! What gives you the right to push your way in here?

Martha: Ben-Joseph, word may not yet have reached the remote backwoods of Caesarea Phillipi, but Channel 7 Action News has again—let me repeat, again—received the top awards for journalistic excellence for all of Judea. Not that a low-budget newspaper like the Caesarea Phillipi Chronicle would understand excellence, of course!

James: An award from the Roman Emperor, don’t forget to mention! And what, may I ask, was the subject of your “journalistic excellence”? Would it perchance be the drivel which Channel 7 tagged Rome’s Friendly Occupation of Israel! All of us here have wondered just how much King Herod greased your well-oiled palm to have you so rave about the Roman occupation! How was it you referred to them again, Martha of Jericho? Ah yes—“Herod’s Helpers”! Helpers indeed! Herod’s Henchmen, more like!

Martha: A beautiful quote, James Ben-Joram! Should be just great as our lead item on tonight’s 10 o’clock newscast. You know, Ben-Joram, you simply don’t know when to keep quiet! In addition, of course, to your ingrained ability to get along with those in high places!

James: Do as you wish, Martha of Jericho. Any pawn of King Herod is no friend of the Jewish people.

(A man comes out of the stable. Martha rushes over, sticking a microphone in his face.)

Martha: You sir! A word if we may! It’s Martha of Jericho from Channel 7 Action News. Would you be the father of the baby which has been born?

Andrew: Father? Me? No, I’m not the father! I am Andrew, I am the owner of Bethlehem Inn. This is my stable.

James: Your stable? Sir, how could you in good conscience have allowed this baby to be born in—in a barn on such a cold night!

Andrew: And what choice was there? ’Twas the only space available, and at that I charged only half rate!

Abraham: Half rate? Why, you scoundrel!

Andrew: Scoundrel, am I? I didn’t see anyone else offering accommodation to these penniless Nazarenes! But what’s all the fuss out here? Why all the people, the media and all?

James: You haven’t heard? The baby born in your stable is the very Messiah!

Andrew: Messiah! Born in my stable! Nonsense! Just who told you this?

James: Shepherds, from down in the valley below, who were visited by the very angels of God! It was the angels who first brought the news!

Andrew: Angels! Shepherds! In my stable!

Martha: Here come the shepherds now! Sirs! Over here, sirs! It is Martha of Judea from Channel 7 Action News! A few words if you will!
(Turns to camera.) Ladies and gentlemen of Judea, as your first source in news coverage, Action News is here for you with an exclusive interview on the spot in Bethlehem. Your name, sir!

Jesse: Name? My name is Jesse. And who might you be, lady?

Martha: Please, if you will sir, explain to the folks at home, in your own words, exactly what happened tonight.

Jesse: Well, me and my friend Jacob were out in the valley below, tending our sheep. There’s been a lot of attacks from wolves recently and we were…

Martha: Forget the wolves! Stick to the story! Exactly what happened in the valley tonight!

Jesse: Sorry, I only meant to…

Martha: Sir! The story! The newscast only lasts 15 minutes!

Jesse: Sorry! Well, Jacob and I were fast asleep when, all of a sudden, there was this noise!

Jacob: Not really a noise, Jesse! A beautiful sound—singing!

Martha: Alright already!
(Looks to camera.) Look, you guys on the cameras, keep it rolling but we will have to do a re-take. Our shepherd friends here are lousing this up real good!
(Turns back to shepherds.) OK now, do you think we can keep this thing moving now? Let’s try it again! So, now, we have established that there was some form of noise, albeit beautiful noise! Can anyone perhaps volunteer the source of this…this beautiful noise?

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