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
I wanted to link to a few lessons from my New Testament children’s church lessons that might be helpful for your Christmas preparation. I taught these lessons in . . .
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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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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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
“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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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 .
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?
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
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.
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!
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
I am also looking for a second-hand accompaniment CD for Celeste Clydesdale’s “Meet Me at the Manger”. Anyone else have one??
I am looking for piano score for “A Star is Born” by Clydesdale. It is out of print. Does anyone have one?
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
A STAR IS BORN accompaniment trax – needed yesterday! Anyone have one to sell?
I have a play that I wrote last year for our small church. If you wish for a copy, just send a note.
I also go to a small church with very little children. I would love to see your play. Thank you so much
Becky,
Our church done Meet Me at the Manger last year. We have an accompaniment cd. Where are you?
We are in Greenwood Ms
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.
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.
We just performed the Mystery of the Manger by Clydesdale. It was awesome!
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.
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
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!
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!:)
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
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.
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!