More Than A Child Childrens Concert

An easily staged Sunday School Christmas concert USING ALL CHILDREN FOR ALL PARTS INCLUDING CHOIR with parts for various age groups and grades from age 2 to Grade 6. Numbers of actors can be increased or decreased significantly as church numbers dictate.
The overall theme is showing that the first Christmas was much more then the birth of a baby, it was the delivery of salvation’s plan.
The older class will narrate, sing, dance and mime, all actors moving into a nativity scene for the finale.
Includes music.

Cast: variable, up to 150 or more children

Set: Set is divided into sections by lighting
From right to left: 1) choir stage / 2) desert scene for wise men / 3) center nativity scene / 4) pasture scene for shepherds / 4) narrator stage
Appropriate backdrops for sets 2, 3 and 4 would be useful:
– desert scene backdrop would include camels, etc
– nativity scene would have a stable, bright star above, night coloration
– pasture scene would include sheep, a hill, with the town of Bethlehem above

Lighting: preferably three follow spots

Sound: standing mics with music stands for choir and narrators
IMPORTANT NOTE: ensure that there are adequate, and well-positioned mics for speakers and readers, and that the use of the mics are practiced in advance!
Song: “More Than a Child” *Words and Music by Lawrence Keith Holder. © 1997 Lawrence Keith Holder (Larry Holder Music, ASCAP)
http://songsofpraise.org/song.php?songid=343
* Additional verses added, written by DramaShare

Costumes: traditional costumes (shepherds, angels, wise men, etc.) for all children except choir and narrators who would be dressed rather formally, as in white shirts/blouses and black slacks

Special Instructions:
We are suggesting that dancers be used to enhance the drama during the singing. This should NOT be overdone, simple “human video” type movements are best

Sample of script:

Welcome from Children’s Pastor

lights up on extreme stage right where choir are standing

Song: More Than a Child

lights down on choir stage, up on center stage

Ages 2 & 3 come on stage.
All lines are on the screen or overhead
Leader(s) speak and children respond

Leader: Tonight is a time for children
So you big guys listen up
(children hold finger to lips, say shushhh)
We don’t want you to embarrass us
(children wag fingers at the audience)
By making noise and stuff

So if you guys are special good
And don’t have a goofy attack
(children shake heads negative)
Later on, as a special treat for you,
You can buy us kids a Big Mac!
(children lick lips, rub tummies)

Age 2 & 3 off stage, sit with parents
Age 4 come on stage carrying letters, forming the word “CHILD”
lines are shown on screen as each is spoken
leaders hold handheld mics close to the mouth of the child

Age 4: CHILD Word

1st child: (holds up letter “C”)
C is for the Christ child

2nd child: The Christ child born today

3rd child: (holds up letter “H”)
H for Heavenly angels

4th child: Angels showed the way

5th child: (holds up letter “I”)
I is for Israel

6th child: The people angels came to see

7th child: (holds up letter “L”)
L is for Love

SNIP, here’s another segment from the script

Grade 5 & 6 Boys and Girls: Nativity Scene

lights up on extreme stage right where choir are standing

Song: More Than a Child

lights down on choir stage, up 25% on center stage
At center stage is the nativity scene acting location, at stage right is the pasture scene for the shepherds, at stage left is a desert scene for wise men
At extreme stage left is the 5 Narrators (N) who will have standing mics and music stands.
At extreme stage right is the choir who will have adequate music stands and mics

lights up slightly at center stage

N1: The birth of Jesus took place like this. . .

lights at center stage up a little more, Mary wanders onto center stage

N2: Mary, a young girl, probably only 12 years of age, was seemingly unprepared for the assignment God had in mind for her.

N3: But God knows not only the mind, but the heart of man.

Gabriel comes on stage, Mary is startled

N4: God sent the angel Gabriel to make a life changing announcement to Mary

Gabriel mimes speaking, Mary shows shock

N5: The announcement that Gabriel made to Mary was both shocking and frightening.

N1: Gabriel told Mary she would become pregnant and have a son.

N2: Mary? . . Have a child? . . .

N3: How could this happen? . . Mary was single! . . Surely this was impossible!

N4: From the announcement which Gabriel made, one thing was clear:

N5: This was not impossible. . . it was going to happen . . and soon!

N1: And there was more! . . Not only would Mary have a son, but her child was to be the son of God!

N2: The promised Messiah no less!

N3: How could this be? . . . There must be some mistake!

N4: Gabriel assured Mary that this was part of God’s great plan for his people.

N5: Hesitatingly Mary realized that God had asked her to serve, and serve she would.

Choir sings “Mary’s Song” while Mary, at downstage center, reflects, (do not over-act, less movement is better).
dancers perform at upstage center and to the sides of Mary, do not come too close to the actor or block the view from the audience.
Dancers use very soft, slow, gentle movements.

Mary’s Song:

The angel came, I am so blessed
Honoured and grateful, so why do I cry?
I promised to do what you asked of me
But is there not someone more able than I?

The child, the Redeemer of all
Your only Son, Messiah adored
In him is the promise made flesh
The hope of the world, my saviour and lord
The light of the world for us all.

at close of song Mary kneels, bows, freezes at downstage center

N1: Mary accepted her role.

N2: But what of Joseph, her betrothed?

Joseph come to upstage center, looks toward Mary, shakes head, sighs

N3: Joseph, a good, honourable, loving man. . . .

This entire script is available free of charge to DramaShare members or non-members may purchase the individual script

The first Christmas was more than a baby born.
It was the delivery of salvation's plan.
An easily staged Sunday School Christmas concert.
USES CHILDREN FOR ALL PARTS INCLUDING CHOIR.
Parts for various age groups and grades from age 2 to Grade 6.

Cast: 20+

• variable, 150 or more children can be facilitated

Bible Reference: Luke 1 -2
Set:

• Set is divided into sections by lighting
• From right to left: 1) choir stage / 2) desert scene for wise men / 3) center nativity scene / 4) pasture scene for shepherds / 4) narrator stage
• Appropriate backdrops for sets 2, 3 and 4 would be useful:
  - desert scene backdrop would include camels, etc
  - nativity scene would have a stable, bright star above, night coloration
  - pasture scene would include sheep, a hill, with the town of Bethlehem above

Sound: wireless mic, standing mics with music stands for choir and narrators
Song:

• “More Than a Child” *Words and Music by Lawrence Keith Holder. © 1997 Lawrence Keith Holder (Larry Holder Music, ASCAP)
  http://songsofpraise.org/song.php?songid=343
  * Additional verses added, written by DramaShare
• Please support writers and performers by purchasing the music.

Lighting:  preferably 3 follow spots
SFX: none
Props:
Costumes: likely traditional costumes (shepherds, angels, wise men, etc.) for all children except choir and narrators who would be dressed rather formally, as in white shirts/blouses and black slacks
Special Instructions:

• ensure that there are adequate, and well-positioned mics for speakers and readers, and that the use of the mics are practiced in advance!
• Parts for various age groups and grades from age 2 to Grade 6. Numbers of actors can be increased or decreased significantly as church numbers dictate.
• The older class will narrate, sing, dance and mime, all actors moving into a nativity scene for the finale.
  Includes music.
• We are suggesting that dancers be used to enhance the drama during the singing. This should NOT be overdone, simple “human video” type movements are best.

Time: 20
Sample of script:

Welcome from Children’s Pastor

lights up on extreme stage right where choir are standing

Song: More Than a Child

lights down on choir stage, up on center stage

Ages 2 & 3 come on stage.
All lines are on the screen or overhead
Leader(s) speak and children respond

Leader: Tonight is a time for children
So you big guys listen up
(children hold finger to lips, say shushhh)
We don't want you to embarrass us
(children wag fingers at the audience)
By making noise and stuff

So if you guys are special good
And don't have a goofy attack
(children shake heads negative)
Later on, as a special treat for you,
You can buy us kids a Big Mac!
(children lick lips, rub tummies)

Age 2 & 3 off stage, sit with parents
Age 4 come on stage carrying letters, forming the word “CHILD”
lines are shown on screen as each is spoken
leaders hold handheld mics close to the mouth of the child

Age 4: CHILD Word

1st child: (holds up letter “C”)
C is for the Christ child

2nd child: The Christ child born today

3rd child: (holds up letter “H”)
H for Heavenly angels

4th child: Angels showed the way

5th child: (holds up letter “I”)
I is for Israel

6th child: The people angels came to see

7th child: (holds up letter “L”)
L is for Love

SNIP, here's another segment from the script

Grade 5 & 6 Boys and Girls: Nativity Scene

lights up on extreme stage right where choir are standing

Song: More Than a Child

lights down on choir stage, up 25% on center stage
At center stage is the nativity scene acting location, at stage right is the pasture scene for the shepherds, at stage left is a desert scene for wise men
At extreme stage left is the 5 Narrators (N) who will have standing mics and music stands.
At extreme stage right is the choir who will have adequate music stands and mics

lights up slightly at center stage

N1: The birth of Jesus took place like this. . .

lights at center stage up a little more, Mary wanders onto center stage

N2: Mary, a young girl, probably only 12 years of age, was seemingly unprepared for the assignment God had in mind for her.

N3: But God knows not only the mind, but the heart of man.

Gabriel comes on stage, Mary is startled

N4: God sent the angel Gabriel to make a life changing announcement to Mary

Gabriel mimes speaking, Mary shows shock

N5: The announcement that Gabriel made to Mary was both shocking and frightening.

N1: Gabriel told Mary she would become pregnant and have a son.

N2: Mary? . . Have a child? . . .

N3: How could this happen? . . Mary was single! . . Surely this was impossible!

N4: From the announcement which Gabriel made, one thing was clear:

N5: This was not impossible. . . it was going to happen . . and soon!

N1: And there was more! . . Not only would Mary have a son, but her child was to be the son of God!

N2: The promised Messiah no less!

N3: How could this be? . . . There must be some mistake!

N4: Gabriel assured Mary that this was part of God’s great plan for his people.

N5: Hesitatingly Mary realized that God had asked her to serve, and serve she would.

Choir sings “Mary’s Song” while Mary, at downstage center, reflects, (do not over-act, less movement is better).
dancers perform at upstage center and to the sides of Mary, do not come too close to the actor or block the view from the audience.
Dancers use very soft, slow, gentle movements.

Mary’s Song:

The angel came, I am so blessed
Honoured and grateful, so why do I cry?
I promised to do what you asked of me
But is there not someone more able than I?

The child, the Redeemer of all
Your only Son, Messiah adored
In him is the promise made flesh
The hope of the world, my saviour and lord
The light of the world for us all.

at close of song Mary kneels, bows, freezes at downstage center

N1: Mary accepted her role.

N2: But what of Joseph, her betrothed?

Joseph come to upstage center, looks toward Mary, shakes head, sighs

N3: Joseph, a good, honourable, loving man. . . .