A traditional Christmas pageant (with the Holy Family, angels, shepherd, sheep and wise men) that can easily be performed with little rehearsal during the Christmas season during the Liturgy of the Word. Complete rehearsals can take place in less than two hours and the cast can expand and contract as necessary, by using or not using some of the minor roles. By reserving all the speaking parts for older children who narrate and by having the congregation sing carols during scene changes, this is a very effective model. For this pageant, hymns are chosen from The Hymnal 1982.
Time Length: 20 minutes (including singing of hymns)
Age level: All ages
Audience: All ages
Pages: 6
Cast: 16 characters +/-:
Mary
Joseph
Angels (the Heavenly Host) (any number)
Magi (three)
Camel (2 persons needed – fore and aft)
Camel attendant(s)
Star of Bethlehem
Shepherds
Sheep
Townspeople (any number)
Narrators (4)
The Rev. Donnel O’Flynn is rector of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Hamilton, New York.
