One Rehearsal Christmas Plays is the answer to gaining an extra hour or two, feeling less harried and focusing on Christ while directing the church Christmas program! With One Rehearsal Christmas Plays, your Sunday school department will encourage, entertain, and enlighten the congregation as they follow the "Footsteps to the Manager" or as they present a slightly altered version of "T'was the Night before Christmas." One Rehearsal Christmas Plays features these productions and ten others with a Scriptural message and minimal preparation! Completely Reproducible!

Here's a collection of humorous, down-to-earth plays that bring a fresh perspective to the Christmas story through such creative devices as imagining the thoughts and feelings of fringe characters (like an innkeeper or a servant to one of the magi) or by updating the story with contemporary settings and characters. No Stable Too Small offers a variety of practical material for any situation, ranging from shorter plays with small casts and lines that can be easily mastered by younger children to more elaborate pieces with sophisticated themes for older children and adults. And they're ideal for use with today's young people -- the dialogue reflects the way they really talk, yet never detracts from the biblical message. These flexible scenes offer a mix of speaking parts for all age groups, from preschool through adult, and are especially valuable for small congregations that lack the resources to mount large-scale productions. No sets are required, and only simple costumes and minimal props are needed. The plays can be performed by smaller churches with as few as 8-10 cast members, or parts can be easily divided to accommodate groups as large as 25-30. And with a running time of approximately 20-25 minutes each, it's easy to fit them within a Christmas Eve or Advent Sunday worship service. Some of the charming presentations include: * Love Finds a Way * It Wasn't the Hilton, You Know * Christmas Eve at Angel School * Because God Said So, That's Why * No Small Parts * "Unto Us a Child Is Born..". Next on Omar * Miracles? No Problem! ...and eight more! Lois Anne DeLong is currently a freelance writer and editor in Bay Shore, New York. She previously served 25 years in public relations, publishing, and marketing for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. A graduate of New York University, DeLong is an active member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, New York. Barbara Anne Antonucci was born and raised in Brentwood, New York, and is a lifelong member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. A graduate of St. Joseph's College, Antonucci now resides in Monroe, North Carolina.

Searching through Christmas plays for children to find the right play with the right content for the right amount of kids, is such a challenge! Christmas plays for church or school can take a lot of time and energy. The One Rehearsal Christmas Pageant is designed to keep it simple, meaningful and fun for everyone involved. This easy to follow guide gives you; two play scripts to include children preschool through middle school, tips for costumes, props and sets plus a step by step plan to pull it all together with just ONE efficient and productive rehearsal! Both plays are scripture based; one focusing on the birth of Christ, the other on the visit of the Magi. The plays can be performed individually or together (one rehearsal/script). Combined, they tell the complete Christmas story in about 30 minutes. Order this valuable timesaver for directors (and parents) who find Christmas to be one of the busiest times of the year!

Churches are provided with the resources they need to liven up any Christmas event. Each reproducible book contains a wealth of plays, poems, and skits designed for any size church.

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.

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A Christmas play with a surprise ending! The church youth group and adult leaders prepare to practice for a Christmas program. They anticipate a visit by the church's new custodian, who will clean and lock up the building. A visitor arrives, who all believe to be the custodian. The visitor begins to help with the rehearsal. With his help, the real meaning of Christmas is clearly revealed to all. The stranger leaves. To the surprise of the cast (but not the audience) the "real" custodian finally arrives. The cast ponders: "Who was that visitor?" This simple play is easily adaptable for any size group. No special props are rquired other than a lectern and a Bible. Charles Byrd, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a United Methodist minister who has served as pastor, teacher, counselor, and staff member of the The United Methodist Publishing House. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Duke Divinity School.