More Than a Child Drama

A child in a manger—more than a story, more than a song. More Than a Child weaves narration, music, and movement into a living nativity that reveals the full weight of God’s salvation plan. Through Mary’s quiet courage, Joseph’s obedience, and the wonder of shepherds and kings, this production reminds us that Christmas wasn’t just the birth of a baby—it was the arrival of redemption. A moving blend of choir, mime, and dance for your entire congregation to experience together.

Run-Time: ~30 minutes
Cast Number: 20+ (5 narrators, choir, Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, 3 Wise Men, angels, shepherds, dancers)
Biblical Reference: Luke 2
Setting: Multi-section stage (choir, desert for wise men, central nativity, pasture for shepherds, narrator platform)
Props: Choir mics & stands, backdrops (desert, stable, pasture), simple costumes, soft lighting, optional dancers

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

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

Sample script:

Download Sample Script: More Than a Child Drama

lights up on extreme stage right where choir are standing

Song: More Than a Child

More than a child, born in the hay,
Jesus, my Lord, on that first Christmas day.
More than the son of a carpenter man:
You carried the weight of the world in Your hand.

For You are the Hope of my soul,
All that I see, and all that I know.
In You there is peace in my life,
For one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
The Light of the world for us all.

More than a star shining that night,
More than the shepherds amazed by the sight,
More than three wise men with riches of gold,
You, the Messiah, the prophets foretold

Would come, bringing newness and life,
Freedom from sin, deliv'rance from strife.
In You there is peace evermore,
For one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
The Light of the world for us all.
Yes, one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
Redeemer and Lord of us all!

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. . . .

N4: But his betrothed . . . pregnant!

N5: After all, Joseph was a businessman. . . an elder in the temple. . . . What would
people say? . . . What should he do?

Joseph goes to one knee, looks downward, hand on his forehead, freezes

N1: And so it was that God sent his angel Gabriel to Joseph.

Gabriel comes on stage, behind Joseph, touches Joseph’s shoulder.
Joseph reacts, looks back over his shoulder, ensure that his face is visible to the audience.

N2: Gabriel explained to Joseph about God’s great plan for salvation for his people,
and how Mary was an important component of God’s plan.

N3: Joseph had concerns . . . and fears.

Mary, looks around, sees Joseph, hesitatingly beckons Joseph to come to her

N4: And Joseph, like Mary, accepted his role in serving God.

Joseph moves downstage to Mary, they hold hands, then kneel at downstage center. Ensure that
they assume a comfortable pose since they will be there for the balance of the drama.

N5: And so it was, in due course, that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem for the
census.

N1: And on that silent and holy night, in a lowly stable, with animals looking on, the
Lord of all Creation was born.

Mary mimes holding a baby, Joseph and Mary fix their gaze on the baby.

N2: The birth, although a solitary affair, was not a private one.

N3: In the valley below Bethlehem there were shepherds, serving the people who
needed lambs for sacrifice in the temple.

lights up slightly on the pasture scene at stage right where shepherds are laying, standing

N4: Shepherds who others in society looked down on, often mistrusted, yet who
provided services essential to that society.

N5: There had been many famous shepherds, including King David.

N1: On this night the shepherds were dozing, keeping one eye on their flock.

increase light level at stage right

angels come on stage right

Song: The Shepherd’s Song

(Narration spoken during Introduction)

N2: Suddenly the star grew until the skies were alive with the brightest light.

N3: And the words, and the singing, of angels.

During the song the shepherds and angels move slowly to center stage where they form part of the nativity scene behind and to the sides of Mary and Joseph, all gaze being directed to the baby, all freeze.

As the actors leave stage right area the stage right lights slowly down, center stage lights up.

Download Sample Script: More Than a Child Drama

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.