I was gathering ideas from the kiddos on what they would like included in the Christmas Eve Program this year when my 9-year-old daughter chirped, “A Puppet Show!”
At first I chuckled, thinking that sounded cute (and kind of hard), but then I remembered that last year we were given this adorable handmade set of nativity story hand puppets for a Christmas present! We will hopefully be adding a few to the set to represent the characters of Nephi and Samuel the Lamanite. If those names are unfamiliar, they are taken from the Book of Mormon! Our family is members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (If you’re looking for bible content only, skip ahead to story #3!).
I decided that I wanted to pick one “point of view” to focus on for the nativity. My mind was drawn to the angelic visitors, and I wondered how often angels were involved. I decided to do some scripture research and make every puppet scene/nativity story revolving around a visit from an angel that I could find!
I have a pdf version here that you’re welcome to print if you’d like my color-coded print ready version! These stories could easily become nativity skits or Christmas readings. ❤️
The Nativity Story Puppet Show: The Angels
Story #1: Nephi
When Book of Mormon prophet Nephi is trying to understand more about the love of God, an angel shows him the Virgin Mary and then the baby Jesus. It is through Christ’s coming that the Love of the Lord is best understood. ❤️
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Angel Puppet, Nephi Puppet
Non-Speaking Characters: Mary Puppet, Baby Jesus Puppet
Storyteller: In the Christmas Nativity, there are many instances where angels appeared to reveal the coming of Jesus Christ. In this show tonight we are going to act out the special appearances of these angels.
Our first example takes us back to around 600 B.C, to the prophet Nephi.
The Nephi puppet appears on stage.
Narrator (off stage): The heavens opened, and an angel came down and stood before Nephi.
The angel puppet appears and stands next to Nephi.
Angel: “Nephi, what beholdest thou?”
The Mary puppet appears on stage.
Nephi: “A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.”
Angel: “Knowest thou the condescension of God?”
Nephi: “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.”
Angel: “Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.”
The Baby Jesus puppet appears in Mary’s arms.
Angel: “Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?”
Nephi: “Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.”
Angel: “Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.” 1
Storyteller: In that visit from the angel Nephi also saw Jesus Christ when He had grown, “[going] forth in power and great glory”. He saw people worshipping Him. He saw Him get baptized. He saw 12 apostles following Him. He saw many people “healed by the power of the Lamb of God.” He also saw Christ being slain for the sins of the world. Surely Nephi knew more after that visit from the angel about Jesus Christ and the reasons why He would come to earth.
Story #2: Samuel the Lamanite
Did you know that Samuel the Lamanite was visited by an angel too? I looked for it just in case, and sure enough, it had happened!
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Samuel Puppet
Non-Speaking Characters: Wall Prop, Angel Puppet, the Star
Storyteller: We go now to another well-known Book of Mormon figure, Samuel the Lamanite.
The Samuel puppet appears on stage.
Narrator: Samuel was sent to preach repentance unto the Nephites multiple times. He was sure that Christ would come. How did he know? Because an angel had made it known unto him.
The wall popsicle stick prop enters the scene. Samuel stands on top of the wall.
Samuel: “Nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, who surely shall come into the world, and shall suffer many things and shall be slain for his people. And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me,”
The Angel puppet peeks in at the top corner of the scene.
Samuel: “And he did bring glad tidings to my soul.”
Angel does a little happy dance and departs.
Samuel: “And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me.3 Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were no night;, and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.”
The star appears on set.
Samuel: “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.” 4
Storyteller: The angel brought Samuel glad tidings when he taught him about the coming of Jesus Christ.
Story #3: The Annunciation to Mary
I think it is this story that made me want to focus on angels. This experience is so beautiful, and Mary a shining example of goodness and faith. How I revere her.
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Angel Puppet, Mary Puppet
Storyteller: The angel appearing to Mary is one of the most well-known and loved angelic appearances. Before Gabriel’s visit, Mary did not know that she would soon become the earthly mother of Jesus Christ.
The Angel Puppet and the Mary Puppet appear at different sides of the stage.
Narrator: “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, and the virgin’s name was Mary.”
The Angel Puppet moves over to Mary.
Angel: “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Narrator: “And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.”
The Mary Puppet acts afraid.
Angel: “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. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Mary: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
Angel: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Mary: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” 5
Angel departs.
Storyteller: A handmaid is a servant, someone who can be trusted with the most important tasks, and who waits personally on a Lord. Handmaids often have a personal relationship with their Master. Mary showed great faith, willingness, and trust when she received this important call delivered by the angel.
Story #4: The Annunciation to Joseph
Thank goodness that an angel appeared to Joseph too! He needed some heavenly confirmation about these incredible events.
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Angel Puppet
Non-Speaking Characters: Joseph Puppet, Mary Puppet, Baby Jesus Puppet
The Joseph Puppet enters the scene.
Storyteller: Joseph found out about the upcoming birth by discovering that Mary was pregnant, or as the scriptures put it, “with child”. He felt that he would need to break their engagement, and wanted to do so privately. He was thinking on these things when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
The Angel Puppet comes to Joseph.
Angel: “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Narrator: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him,”
Mary joins Joseph.
Narrator: “And took unto him his wife:”
Baby Jesus joins the couple.
Narrator: “and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” 6
Storyteller: Joseph consistently tried to do what’s right. When he received this message from an angel, he believed, and acted in faith.
Story #5: The Shepherds
I wondered if the scriptures would say that the angels visiting the shepherds sang. I didn’t see that exact wording, but I still love picturing hosts of angels singing happy Christmas hymns to rejoice in the coming of their Lord.
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Angel Puppet, Shepherd Puppet
Non-Speaking Characters: Joseph Puppet, Mary Puppet, Baby Jesus Puppet
Storyteller: Now on to the favorite Christmas angelic visit of all, the hosts of angels appearing to the shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth with praise and gladness.
The Shepherd Puppet enters the scene.
Narrator: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
The Angel Puppet enters the scene.
Narrator: “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.”
Angel: “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 Saviour, 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.”
Narrator: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,”
Angel: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The Angel Puppet departs.
Shepherd: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
The Mary Puppet, the Joseph Puppet, and the Baby Jesus Puppet enter the scene.
Narrator: “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” 7
Story #6: The Wisemen
Angels had an impact in the wisemen portion of the Nativity as well, though the angel that appears does so to keep the young Jesus safe. The wise men, perhaps, didn’t need an angel to announce to them the birth of the Lord for they knew exactly what the sign meant.
Speaking Characters: Storyteller, Narrator, Angel Puppet
Non-Speaking Characters: 3 Wiseman Puppets, The Star, Mary Puppet, Joseph Puppet, Baby Jesus Puppet
Storyteller: Did you know that there is also an angel mentioned in the story of the Wisemen? The angel didn’t appear directly to them though, although they–like Joseph–were visited in a dream. Watch to see when the angel enters the story:
The 3 Wisemen enter the scene.
Narrator: “And [Herod] 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.”
The Star appears in the sky.
Narrator: “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.”
The Wisemen rejoice! Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus enter the scene.
Narrator: “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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
The Wisemen leave. The Angel Puppet appears. Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus lie down as if asleep.
Narrator: “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.”
Angel: “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” 8
Mary and Joseph arise and flee with the baby.
Storyteller: We can see from these accounts that angels were a part of so many scenes in the nativity story. Angels are God’s messengers sent to warn, instruct, announce, and prophecy. We still believe angels appear to men today. They represent the reality that God is ever reaching out to His children. Merry Christmas!!
References:
- 1 Nephi 11: 14-22
- 1 Nephi 11: 24-33
- Helaman 13: 6-7
- Helaman 14:2-5
- Luke 1: 26-35, 38
- Matthew 1: 18-25
- Luke 2: 8-16
- Matthew 2: 8-13
I hope you enjoyed reading this cute-and-fun version of the Nativity we will be enjoying for Christmas Eve this year! What I loved most was the hours I spent searching the scriptures, watching for angels and knowing that God reaches earthward to each of us now just as he did then. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎆
Wow, I am beyond excited to share this wonderful resource about The Nativity Story for Kids with my little ones this holiday season! As a parent, I am always looking for creative ways to teach my children about the true meaning of Christmas and the story of Jesus’ birth. These Christmas puppets will not only make the story come to life, but they will also engage and entertain my children in a fun and interactive way. Thank you, Sibling Fusion, for providing such a valuable and meaningful tool for families to celebrate this special time of year. I can’t wait to see the joy on my children’s faces as they learn about the birth of Jesus through these adorable puppets.
Great to hear, Adalia! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy celebrating! We are excited to use our puppets with these stories too!
Fascinating Jessica. Great research. You make this story so accessible and vivid. Your pdf is a great idea, too. I’m just downloading it now.
I”m a bit late to wish you well for the performance, but I’m sure it went well, and the kids adored it. Are any repeat performances planned?
All blessings and light for 2024: The Year of the Dragon! Keep in touch!! 😇
Hi Linden!😃
The performance went marvelously! We swapped out actors for each story, and everyone had a fun time. I especially loved watching my dad and aunts be the puppets. 😆 I would definitely do the activity again! Maybe I’ll make a new script for next year.
You’ve got me excited about the year of the dragon! I’m a tiger; it’s supposed to be a good year for me professionally. Looking forward to all the good things coming our way!