This is the script we use every year with my family on Christmas Eve, to remember the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It comes directly from the New Testament and is mostly Luke 2 which covers the birth of Jesus, and Matthew 2 which gives an account of the wise men. I have added bold lettering and quotation marks when someone from the scriptures is speaking, to make it easier for our 'actors' (family members) to find and read their parts.
We sing christmas songs between various verses which is one of my favorite things about doing this nativity, as the Christmas music sets the mood and helps us feel the spirit of Christmas. Most of the lyrics to the songs I have not included as they can be found in the hymn books of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; there is even a free app for the hymn book that anyone can access, called Sacred Music (hymns, sheet music and audio). I did include the words to We Three Kings as it is not in the hymn book. I have included the page numbers to all the hymns. The songs are very familiar and you may not even need to look up the words.
This nativity script, reading the scriptures and singing the songs, prepares us for christmas morning and helps us remember the reason for the gifts and for the season.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”
Sing: Joy to the World - hymn 201
Luke 2:1-5
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Sing: O Little Town of Bethlehem- hymn 208
Luke 2: 6-7
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Sing: Away In A Manger- hymn 206
Luke 2:8-14
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Sing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing- hymn 209
Luke 2:15
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
Sing: Angels We Have Heard On High- hymn 203
Luke 2: 16
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Sing: Silent Night- hymn 204
Luke 2: 17-20
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that had heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Sing: The First Noel- hymn 213
Matthew 2:1-8
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, “In Bethlehem, of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”
Sing: We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star.
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
(chorus) Oh, star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God most high
(chorus) Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light
Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume, Breaths a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
(chorus) Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light
Matthew 2:9-12
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Sing: Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful- hymn 202
