The Birth Of Hope

A Live Nativity Experience by Lisa Strauch

“The Birth of Hope” isn't just a retelling of the Christmas story—it's an immersive journey through one of the most powerful nights in history. Set beneath the stars in a live outdoor nativity complete with real animals and costumed actors, this moving production brings the story of Jesus’ birth to life through dramatic narration, powerful music, and reverent reenactments.

From the angel’s message to Mary…
To the humble stable in Bethlehem…
To the joyous arrival of shepherds and the long journey of the wise men…
To the silent warnings and escape from danger…
To the wonder of Mary’s heart as she held the Son of God…

This is the story of Jesus.
This is the story of salvation.
This is the Birth of Hope.

Featuring scenes performed in both English and Spanish, heartfelt narration, and beautiful music selections including “Oh What a Precious Promise” and “Mary, Did You Know?”, this unique production invites the whole community to witness the wonder of Christmas.

CAST:
Joseph
Mary
Baby Jesus
Jesus about 2 years old
Angel Gabriel
Innkeeper
4 or 5 Shepherds
King Herod
King Herod’s men (2)
Wisemen (3)
Other angels (as many as you want)
(We use real animals such as a donkey, sheep and any other animals that are available. We do this production outside and the animals make it realistic.)

Run-Time:   approximately 30–40 minutes, depending on the pacing of:

• Narration delivery
• Transitions and lighting changes
• Live music segments
• Animal movement and cast blocking
• Audience response and ambient elements (e.g., outdoor conditions)

Scene 1: The Home to Mary

(Mary is sitting. The Angel Gabriel appears.)

Narrator:
We would like to welcome you to our production of The Birth of Hope.
We want to take you back to a time long, long ago to a young woman, whose name was Mary. She was engaged to Joseph.
When one night she was visited by an angel.

Angel Gabriel:
“Greetings, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you.”

Narrator:
Mary was startled and confused. What was happening? Why was an angel visiting her? What did all this mean?

Angel Gabriel:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
his kingdom will never end.”

Narrator:
Did she hear him right? Maybe he had the wrong woman, but he said my name, Mary.
Was she, Mary, really going to give birth to God’s Son? How?

Mary:
“How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Angel Gabriel:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age,
and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
For nothing is impossible with God.”

Lights out

(Song “Oh What a Precious Promise” by B.J. Thomas starts playing. Mary gets ready for the journey on the donkey.)
(Lights come on when chimes are heard in the song. Joseph brings the donkey. Mary gets on and they begin their journey while the song plays. Spotlights follow Mary and Joseph.)
(Song fades at “Mary and the child will have a home.”)

Narrator:
In those days, the Roman Emperor was Caesar Augustus.
He issued a decree that a census should be taken.
Everyone had to go to his own hometown to register.

(Song fades back in at “night of a precious promise is unfolding.”)
Lights out
(Change props to stable while Mary and Joseph journey. They walk during the song and return to the stable before it ends. The Innkeeper leads them in. Mary is in pain and Joseph helps her inside.)

---

Scene 2: The Stable

(Mary and Joseph enter the stable. Mary lies down on a blanket.)
Lights on Low

Narrator:
It was a long journey. They were tired and sore and looking for a room to stay in Bethlehem.
They were getting anxious because a while ago Mary started having pains.
The baby was coming—and soon. They had to find somewhere to stay.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, people were everywhere and there was not one room left.
What were they going to do?

Innkeeper:
“What? You have a stable we could stay in? That would be great.
Anything as long as it’s dry and warm. The baby is coming.”

(Sounds of baby crying. Lights up. Mary and Joseph are sitting around the manger.)

Narrator:
Jesus, God’s Son, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.
A miracle had just taken place. The King of Kings, the Messiah, the Child of Hope was born.

(Play song “Let My Words Be Few” by Phillips, Craig and Dean. During the song, Mary and Joseph remain seated near the manger.)

Lights out
(Play night noises. Small campfire is burning off to the side of the manger. Shepherds are sitting around the campfire chatting and joking, maybe a few are sleeping.)

Narrator:
It was a quiet, peaceful evening in the hills near Bethlehem.
A small group of shepherds were out keeping a careful watch over their sheep.
They were sitting around a small fire telling tales and events that had happened that day.

(Angel Gabriel appears and holds arms out. Extra light on Angel.)

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.