The Good News Goes Viral: A Virtual Nativity Play for Kids

Are you looking for a nativity play that you can easily perform remotely, or with social distancing? Introducing The Good News Goes Viral, a virtual Christmas Pageant specifically written to be rehearsed and performed remotely. It tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a fun and lighthearted way as communicated through video messages between biblical characters.

These videos can be recorded safely at home by kids using props and costumes found around the house. When all the videos are played in order, we learn how everyone from Joseph, to the Magi, and yes, even a Donkey, react to the good news as it spreads around the world!

How does it work?

This play is inspired by the question: What would happen if biblical characters had to communicate through video calls?

It begins with an Angel, sharing a very important video message to Mary, and continues through the perspectives of 10 other biblical characters, including Joseph, an Innkeeper, the Magi, the Shepherds, and of course, Mary.

Each child is assigned a character and records their one-minute scene on video. When all the videos are played together they tell the story of Jesus’ birth.

This play was written by Gwynne Watkins, the same award-winning playwright of WOW!, The Mysterious Animal, and The Mixed-Up Christmas Pageant. Her contemporary and unique nativity plays for kids have sold tens of thousands of copies all over the globe.

It is recommended you purchase at least 11 scripts as there are a minimum of 11 characters in the play.

Characters

Angel 1 (Gabriel) Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin Joseph, Mary’s fiance Angel 2 Emperor Caesar Augustus Donkey Innkeeper Angel Choir (1 or more actors) Magi (1 or more actors) Shepherds (1 or more actors, plus optional sheep) Mary, Jesus’ mother