Where To Find Christmas Plays For Children?

by Anthony Kummer on September 11, 2008| Print Print | Share/E-mail

in Children's Ministry Ideas

In just a few weeks, we’ll be starting our Christmas Children’s choir to prepare for the annual Christmas pageant. The holiday season is a coming soon and having the kids perform is one of our church’s favorite Christmas activities.  But first, we need to find the right Christmas program.

If you have a Christmas musical recommendation, please leave a comment at the bottom of this article.

I started my research on Google, and soon discovered there were very few free Christmas plays for kids choirs. It looks like many churches simply mix together Christmas poems, Bible verses and Christmas songs music to create a short 30-minute Kids Christmas program. This is what we’ve done in past years, but this year we’re going for something a little larger than a Children’s Christmas skit. I’m looking for music and drama that features Christmas stories. Some biblical costumes would be fun too, and it must come with a complete play script.

Professionally Published Christmas Programs

  • I searched Christmas play on Amazon.com I love these because all the customer reviews available for each program for Christmas. You can also listen to some of the Christmas songs online.
  • LifeWay sells hundreds of musical programs, you can browse or search to find a Christmas pageant for children. They specialize in religious Christmas programs that would work well for a kids musical at church.

Independent Christmas Pageants For Children

  • Cathy’s Music offers several Christmas Musicals for children. This site has over 15 plays for Christmas. You should be able to find the right program for small children’s choirs here.
  • Taylor Made Productions has Christmas plays. One major benefit of using an independently published church musical is you can contact the people who wrote the program. This website has pictures from their pageant for Christmas, and hints from the original director.
  • Guiding Light Video sells complete kits to host a kids Christmas paly
  • Pioneer Drama Services also sells a large selection of Children’s Christmas programs. This site sells a large selection of kids musicals for Christmas.

Even More Children's Ministry Ideas

Free Christmas Sunday School Lessons For Children
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Are Christmas Gifts Dangerous For A Child’s Soul?
“If I only get that – then I’ll really be happy,” she said. I was amazed. “You don’t really believe that? Do you?” “Yes, it will make me happy . . .. I know it will.” This wa. . .

Free Christmas Craft Ideas For Kids
Are you looking for a great craft idea for your children’s Sunday school class? Then check out these websites. They list many great kid’s Christmas crafts, . . .

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Around the Web - 9/17/2008 at Ray Fowler .org
September 17, 2008 at 12:28 pm

{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Josh Dade September 11, 2008 at 11:12 am

2 of the best musicals that I’ve used over the years are:

A Star is Born – Word Music by Celeste Clydesdale:
It has a great story line and can be done on any size budget – small and large

Meet Me at the Manger – Word Music by Celeste Clydesdale:
We used the kids for a rehearsal night and made a video of them decorating someone’s house – kids loved it and was a great experience for all.

Word Music, with Celeste Clydesdale are pre-packed and they include instruction for the choreography for the instructor to learn.

Please email if you need any further assistance.

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2 Laurie September 13, 2008 at 10:27 pm

Thanks for the all the links (at bottom) to Christmas and Thanksgiving crafts–excellent resources, esp. the Bible verses. I love to do crafts but with limited time, your links were so helpful!

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3 jane baker September 15, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Two of my favorites from the past 15 years are
Angels Aware We left out a few of the songs to shorten the play. Our congregation was very moved by this one.
The Plane Truth Very easy to do and the children really enjoyed it.

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4 Mrs. Hill September 17, 2008 at 7:30 pm

http://www.kathiehillmusic.com – I still haven’t found a better site for the musicals for kids. She has a number of resources and downloadable trax. Dr. Newheart’s Christmas Cure is still a favorite. We’ve also done the SOCCER program and Operation Christmas Child which emphasized missions across the world

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5 Patricia September 20, 2008 at 10:51 am

We began using the Rotation workshops last year with our small SS. It has, thus far, worked well. The church organist and I are for the 25th year, responsible for doing “the Christmas play”. He has the idea of using angels as a central theme and we’ve a number of ideas for the weekly workshops. However, it is also within this time that our prep for the play need also take place.
Can anyone recommend an easy-to-do play, revolving around angels, that retells the story of Jesus’ birth? I see ANGELS AWARE referred to. Can you give me any more insight into this and how & where I can obtain it? Many thanks.

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6 Gretchen September 22, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Hello! For the first time ever, Concordia Publishing House has released a complete kit for congregations to use throughout Advent … it’s called “Away in a Manger” and it ties together the sermon illustrations used through Advent with the Sunday School children’s program. The resource even includes bulletin covers, a children’s gift book for families, etc. You can get as creative as you want. Really useful. Check it out: http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=155112&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=away+in+a+manger

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7 Kari September 22, 2008 at 5:17 pm

“Angels Aware” is by the Gaithers and can be found at : http://www.praisegathering.com/Site/Detail.asp?tid=4979
The music is excellent. “Hotel Bethlehem” and “Meet Me at the Manger are also loads of fun. Celeste Clydesdale music is always good.
Our church is doing “It All Happened in the Country” this year but I’m really trying to find a demo video for it. I know they used to make one (years ago) but I can’t find one anywhere. It would be nice to have director’s helps.
Any help would be appreciated.

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8 Teresa September 22, 2008 at 8:16 pm

I have directed many Children’s programs over the years. Angels Aware is my first choice. Other outstanding ones are: Wise Guys and Starry Skies, Psalty’s Christmas Calamity, Three Wee Kings, The Bethleham Project. I am now hunting for a play for my group (ages 8-13) to preform. Last year we did “Christmas in Cricket County” which the kids liked alot, but I thought it was lacking. Please offer some suggestions for a good play I could preview.

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9 Teresa September 22, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Angels Aware:
created and written by Kathie Hill and Janet McMahan
This is what is written on the sound track:
Word Music
Ariose Music Group
Praise Gathering Music Group

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10 Chris Godfrey October 17, 2008 at 3:04 pm

We did “Christmas in Cricket County” and loved it…We have since performed 4 other Cricket County plays and the audience doesn’t want anything else. These scripts are very entertaining but also come with strong messages. You can find them at contemporarydrama.com

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11 melissa October 20, 2008 at 11:35 am

I absolutely love “The First Leon.” We did another one last year: “Miracle on Main Street.” Both were excellent – I loved the music. Looking for a comparable program for this year – K-6.

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12 Dawn October 20, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Last year we did a christmas musical called “the Don’t Be Afraid Brigaide”. I don’t remember who it was from but the kids and all who attended really loved it. this year we are doing “It all happened in the country”. There is a church , I believe it is calvery faith center who has already done this musical. they have their entire play on line. It is interesting to see how they done their choreography. In case you want to check it out.

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13 Carla October 21, 2008 at 3:51 am

I highly recommend Mary remembers. We did this a few years ago. My pastor loved it as did everyone it has been one of the best Christmas programs we have ever did. It has the biblical story with manger scene. We used our own songs . We sang the last song with candle light very powerful .

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14 Anne Marie October 22, 2008 at 11:51 am

I am looking for the accompaniment cassette or CD or Celeste Clydesdale’s “A Star is Born”. Does anyone out there have one I can borrow?

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15 Johnna buntin November 6, 2008 at 11:41 am

Does anyone know where i can find the poem “Colors On Parade” that is done with the children dressed as crayons? It’s about all the colors represented at the birth of Christ.

Thank you,

jb

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16 Ginifer November 7, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Would anyone have available to rent or buy a split-trax second-hand for Miracle on Main Street by Celeste Clydesdale. We would like to do just one song from the musical for Christmas and our budget doesn’t flex enough to buy new to justify this.

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17 Jodi Bowen November 8, 2008 at 7:19 pm

I would love to reach someone who has the accompaniment CD and/or listening CD for “How the Grouch Found Christmas” by Dennis and Nan Allen. All I have is the book and cassette. I teach at a small Christian school and it is not in my budget this year to spend $100.00 on these CDs, yet it would sure be great to have them for our practices and performances! I’d be willing to pay a small rental fee and return them promptly! I also have several musicals/CDs from years past and would be willing to share! Contact me and let’s make a deal! Thanks and God Bless!

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18 Dan November 12, 2008 at 8:52 pm

I too am looking for the accompaniment CD for Celeste Clydesdale’s “A Star is Born”. Does anyone have one I can borrow or purchase?
Thanks

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19 Becky November 12, 2008 at 11:54 pm

I am also looking for a second-hand accompaniment CD for Celeste Clydesdale’s “Meet Me at the Manger”. Anyone else have one??

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20 Karen November 14, 2008 at 10:31 pm

I am looking for piano score for “A Star is Born” by Clydesdale. It is out of print. Does anyone have one?

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21 K&J Jones November 17, 2008 at 4:36 pm

I am doing the program “It All Happened in the Country”. I would love to hear from others on things that worked if you have used this same musical. Also, if you have the split track that I could purchase from you I would really appreciate it :)

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22 John November 22, 2008 at 2:23 pm

A STAR IS BORN accompaniment trax – needed yesterday! Anyone have one to sell?

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23 Luella November 30, 2008 at 2:37 pm

I have a play that I wrote last year for our small church. If you wish for a copy, just send a note.

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24 Gayle December 2, 2008 at 2:27 pm

I also go to a small church with very little children. I would love to see your play. Thank you so much

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25 Melissa December 3, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Becky,
Our church done Meet Me at the Manger last year. We have an accompaniment cd. Where are you?
We are in Greenwood Ms

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26 Judy December 4, 2008 at 12:03 pm

A STAR IS BORN accompaniment Trax is needed. We did this musical several years ago and cannot locate the trax. Does someone have a copy that we could purchase or borrow? Thanks so much.

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27 Gail December 9, 2008 at 5:32 pm

I am looking for more information on the Christmas play The Plane Truth About Christmas. Can anyone direct me to a place where I can purchase a CD or even a cassette tape of this play.

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28 Donna December 13, 2008 at 4:27 pm

We just performed the Mystery of the Manger by Clydesdale. It was awesome!

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29 rey December 14, 2008 at 9:27 am

We just had a wonderful, standing room only crowd at our church last night for the kid’s musical, “Christmas Carol”. I highly recommend this musical. It’s a new release by majestymusic.com.

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30 beverlygray December 17, 2008 at 9:47 pm

yes luella i would lile to have a copy of your church play because we have small group of kids also at our church that like to be involved for the lord thank you and Jesus Bless you and family

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31 Nancy December 22, 2008 at 11:38 pm

We just had our Christmas Play this past weekend and it was Awesome! We did a play called “A new home for Christmas” and added our own music. The story centered around 2 little boys who’s mom had just passed 3 months prior and they found themselves in an orphanage for Christmas. It was truly a wonderful program. We added our own music which included: To know him is to love him; Stand by Me; I’m a Believer; Turn, Turn, Turn; I will follow him (Sister Act version); Put a little love in your heart – all songs on the Halleluiah Hop CD. It was awesome. If you want any additional info, email me!

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32 Dora December 30, 2008 at 9:32 pm

I am very interested in your plays. I have a small group of children that would love to do an Easter play.
Please send me some copies of your Easter plays. Thank you and may the Lord Bless You!:)

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33 diana January 16, 2009 at 12:11 am

I’m looking for a book titled ‘1 Rehersal Christmas Plays (or Programs), my mom thought it was put out by cook ministries but I haven’t found it, can anyone help? Thanky

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34 Melanie February 7, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Anyone out there happen to find an accompaniment track for A Star is Born? I’m in desperate need (it’s spring I know). Would love to borrow, buy, or rent your copy.

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35 Donna May 6, 2009 at 4:02 pm

If anyone is looking for a Christmas play for 2009, I highly recommend “All I Want For Christmas”! Our children had so much fun doing this musical and the audience loved it. You can watch our performance and see how we decorated the stage at http://www.theriverishere.com . Go to ministries, and click on children’s ministry and then Children’s Christmas Dinner Theatre to watch. It is a story of a bratty little girl who wants everything that she sees for Christmas and loses the true meaning. After falling asleep in the toy dept of a store, she has a dream in which the toys come to life and she teaches them the true meaning of Christmas.

The First Leon is also a wonderful play! We did it the year before! I’d be glad to answer any more questions!

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