The Journey to Bethlehem: A Play Script

Characters:

• Narrator
• Joseph
• Mary
• Angel
• Shepherds (Group)
• Heavenly Host (Angels)
• King Herod
• The Magi (Three Wisemen)
• Silent Roles: Donkey, Cows, Sheep, Camels

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Play Script

SCENE 1: The Decree

Narrator: In those times, Emperor Augustus issued a grand command: 

every person in the Roman world must return to their ancestral home 

to be registered in a great census. 

This was the very first enrollment, occurring while Quirinius governed Syria.

(MARY and JOSEPH enter through the center aisle, leading a donkey. 

They stop and sit on the second step in front of the altar, while the donkey sits on the ground.)

Narrator: Everyone traveled to their own towns to sign the registry. 

Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, 

he had to travel from the village of Nazareth in Galilee all the way to Judea. 

He headed for Bethlehem, the City of David. 

He brought Mary, his betrothed, who was very close to giving birth. 

While they were staying there, the moment finally arrived for her baby to be born.

(Through the door by the statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, ANGEL enters, gently carrying BABY JESUS and followed by a small group of cows that sit on the ground near the donkey. ANGEL hands the child to MARY, who lays him in the manger.) 

Narrator: Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. 

She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and rested him in a manger, 

a feeding trough for animals, 

because there were no guest rooms available for them in the local inn. 

(ANGEL exits, returning the way he/she came in.) 

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Play Script

SCENE 2: The Shepherds and the Message

(Starting at the Sacred Heart statue and moving through the side aisle, SHEPHERDS and sheep enter and sit on the ground in front of the statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.) 

Narrator: Nearby, in the open fields, shepherds were huddled together, 

keeping watch over their sheep through the dark night.

(Through the door by the statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, ANGEL enters and stands before the SHEPHERDS, illuminated by a bright light.)

Narrator: Suddenly, a messenger of the Lord appeared. 

A brilliant divine light surrounded them, and the shepherds were absolutely terrified.

The Angel: Do not be terrified! 

I bring you wonderful news that will bring immense joy to every person on earth. 

Today, in Bethlehem, a Savior has been born for you—He is Christ the Lord. 

This is how you will recognize Him: 

you will find a baby wrapped in cloth, resting in a manger. 

Narrator: Abruptly, a vast army of angels appeared alongside the first one, 

singing praises to God.  

(Streaming through the door by the statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and down every church aisle, a multitude of angels enters to surround ANGEL.) 

Heavenly Host: Glory to God in the highest! 

And on earth peace to people of good will. 

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Play Script

SCENE 3: The Discovery

(ANGEL and angels exit. SHEPHERDS look at one another in wonder.)

Female Shepherd: We have to go! Let’s get to Bethlehem right now. 

Male Shepherd: Yes, we must see this incredible thing the Lord has made known to us.

(SHEPHERDS enter the stable area, bringing two sheep with them. Finding MARY, JOSEPH, and BABY JESUS, they stand on the ground in front of the Holy Family.)

Narrator: They hurried into town and found Mary and Joseph, 

and there was the baby, lying in the feeding trough just as they were told. 

(SHEPHERDS bring the sheep forward and place them before the Holy Family, indicating they are gifts.) 

Narrator: After seeing Him, 

the shepherds spread the word everywhere about what the Angel had said. 

Everyone who heard the story was stunned by what the shepherds described.

(SHEPHERDS and sheep exit through the side aisle that leads to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes). 

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Play Script

SCENE 4: The Star and the Kings

(From the confessional room and through the side aisle, the MAGI and their camels enter and stand on the ground in front of the piano.) 

Narrator: During this same time, while King Herod ruled, 

wise men—Magi—arrived in Jerusalem from the far East.

Magi 1: Where is the child born to be King of the Jews? 

Magi 2: We observed His star rising in the sky, 

and we have traveled a great distance to honor Him.

(Through the door by the piano, KING HEROD enters and motions to the MAGI.)

King Herod: Go to Bethlehem. Search everywhere for this child. 

Once you find Him, come back and tell me exactly where He is, 

so that I may also go and honor Him.

(KING HEROD exits the way he came. Through the side aisle leading to the confessional room, ANGEL enters, walks ahead of the MAGI, takes a position on the top floor of the sanctuary behind the manger, and holds a bright star above it.)

(The MAGI and their camels begin to walk toward the front of the manger.)

Narrator: After meeting the King, 

they followed the star they had seen in the East. 

It moved ahead of them until it stopped directly 

over the house where the child was staying.

Narrator: Seeing the star filled them with pure joy. 

They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary. 

They knelt in the dust and worshipped Him. 

(The MAGI kneel.)

Narrator: Then, they opened their chests of treasure 

and presented Him with gifts fit for a King: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Narrator: The End.

(MARY, JOSEPH, and the MAGI stand. All other characters enter, assemble before the Holy Family facing the audience. After bowing to the assembly, the ensemble exits via the main aisle.)