La Posada: A Christmas Skit

Based on an article by Donald Hinchey (http://childrensministry.com/articles/la-posadaa-christmas-skit) and modied by Amber Vanderpol on 12/13/12. INTRODUCTION Before the drama, read aloud Luke 2:7: And she gave birth to her rst-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. How terrible it must've been for Mary and Joseph to be in Bethlehem that rst Christmas night. There was no room for them anywhere. They were homeless. They'd come from Nazareth to a very crowded city where there was no room for them. Have any of you ever been in a place where there was no room for you? Let's imagine ourselves there that night and pretend our room is the town of Bethlehem. If children have been pre-selected to play Mary and Joseph, call them come forward. Have them put on a simple costume, then give them a moment to look over the sample script. Everyone else, groups of two or three, will be innkeepers. Please (quickly!) make a sign for your inn with a name and make sure it says no vacancy! As they nish making the signs, arrange the innkeepers around the room. Have a little spot set up behind one set of innkeepers for the stable with a small manger and some stuffed animals. Mary and Joseph will go from inn to inn and to ask the other children to take them in for the night. Im giving you all a simple script, but you can make up your own dialogue if you rather. After Mary and Joseph arrive at the stable, we will all gather to sing Away in a Manger. Lead the children in the skit, with Mary and Joseph going to each group of innkeepers in turn, nally arriving at the last inn with the stable behind it.

THINKING ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS Lead kids in applause for one another after the drama. Then gather them together to think about their experience. Ask Mary and Joseph: How did it feel to be Mary and Joseph? How did it feel to beturned away? Ask the innkeepers: How did it feel to turn Mary and Joseph away? Did you wish you could do something to take them in? Ask the group: Think of a time you've been turned away from a place or a situation. How about a time when you wanted to play with people - friends or brothers and sisters - and they wouldnt let you? What was that like? God provided an innkeeper who opened up a stable to Mary and Joseph. Even though it didn't seem like much, it gave them shelter and safety for the night of Jesus' birth. God sends us people to care for us and take us in. God also gives us opportunities to be welcoming to one another and to help each other. Close in prayer: Gracious God, you sent Mary and Joseph a kind and helpful innkeeper to care for them when they were without a home. We thank you for all those who care for us, and we ask that you'd let us help others when they turn to us for help. Lord Jesus, please let our hearts be a place where you will always nd room for you.

Sample Dialogue for the Inn:

Joseph: We've come from Nazareth for the great census and my betrothed is going to have a baby. Mary: We will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. Joseph: We need a place to stay tonight. Do you have a room for us? Innkeepers: No! No way! Absolutely not! We're all full! We don't take in people from Nazareth. Mary: Please don't turn us away. We're cold. Joseph: We're hungry. Mary: And I'm going to have my baby, Jesus, very soon! Innkeeper: You can't have a baby in my inn. Don't bother us. Go away!

Sample Dialogue for the Inn:

Joseph: We've come from Nazareth for the great census and my betrothed is going to have a baby. Mary: We will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. Joseph: We need a place to stay tonight. Do you have a room for us? Innkeepers: No! No way! Absolutely not! We're all full! We don't take in people from Nazareth. Mary: Please don't turn us away. We're cold. Joseph: We're hungry. Mary: And I'm going to have my baby, Jesus, very soon! Innkeeper: You can't have a baby in my inn. Don't bother us. Go away!

Away in a manger, No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there

Away in a manger, No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there

At the Inn that will welcome them:

Mary: Please let us stay at your inn. We've been all over Bethlehem and there's no place for us. We're cold. Joseph: We're hungry. Mary: And I'm going to have my baby, Jesus, very soon! Innkeeper 1: I'm very sorry. We love to take visitors, but as you can see (points to sign) there's no room in the inn. Joseph: Don't you have a place somewhere? Innkeeper 1: I've got an idea! You can stay in our stable. Innkeeper 2: It is warm and clean. Innkeeper 1: And the animals will keep you company. Innkeeper 2: It isn't much, but it's the best we can do. Joseph: Oh, thank you! Thank you very much! It's so good to know that we won't be out on the streets. Mary: Especially when our little Jesus is born! Let Mary and Joseph into the stable. Mary and Joseph should kneel by the manger then all gather around and sing Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there