Musicline School Musicals
Happy Birthday Jesus (Nativity) Cover

Happy Birthday Jesus (Nativity)

by Mike Smith

Pricing & Order Info.
Ideal Cast Size 41
Speaking Roles 32
Minimum Cast Size 28
Duration (minutes)35

A Super Key Stage One and Key Stage Two Christmas Show

Why choose this Musical?

Flexibility

Flexible Cast size to suit YOUR group numbers, from 28 actors upwards. See "Casting" tab below.

Unlimited chorus parts

Easy to stage with simple scenery

CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks available

Sing it! "Karaoke-Style" learning! Check out the video below...

TOP TIP: unmute the video to have a listen and a sing along!

Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 4 Standard) available

Easily constructed and manageable props

Age Range: EYFS and Key Stages 1/Lower KS2 Production (4-8 years)

Duration: 35 Minutes

NEW! Instant Scenery with our digital backdrops
A different backdrop for EVERY scene change

Supplied in both a PowerPoint presentation and as individual JPG files.

No more Scenery Painting!

*** NEW *** Hear it. Copy it. Learn it!
Leanr it! Logo

"Learn it!" is an "Audio Book" style read-through of the entire show performed by professional voice actors. It teaches each child their lines, when to perform them and most importantly, HOW to perform them. The copy and repeat method is simply the best and quickest way to learn. An essential product for SEND cast members. The "Learn it!" product is available as downloadable MP3 files or as a standard Audio CD. Have a listen to a sample of the "Learn it!" product on the "Samples" tab below.

If you'd like a more in depth explaination about "Learn it!", check out this explainer video.

This delightful nativity for 4 - 8 year olds establishes the link between Christmas and Jesus' birthday with 7 easy to learn catchy songs. The story follows a group of children making a birthday card for Jesus, each child suggesting an idea to add to the card. As each new idea is created, a tableau is acted out including songs and dance if required. The show concludes with the traditional nativity scene. This easily adaptable show can be performed by a small number of children or as many as you wish in about 35 to 40 minutes.

The show opens with a group of six children making a birthday card in order to celebrate Jesus birthday. 'Happy Birthday Jesus' is sung as they all join in to help decorate the card. Hannah, one of the children, then suggests drawing a Christmas tree on the card and this acts as a perfect link for young children to understand the modern festivities and how they relate to the birth of Jesus; the children explain how trees are made from wood, and that the stable and manger were too. 'Christmas Trees' follows.

John's suggestion is to draw some fairy lights on the tree and this is linked back to the stars in the sky on the night Jesus was born; 'Starlight' is sung as the fairy lights enter and dance a short routine before joining in to sing.

After this musical number, the lights exit apart from one that remains behind to guide the shepherds. As the shepherds exit in order to follow the star, Hannah suggests drawing a donkey. After a failed attempt the travellers and Mary and Joseph enter and sing 'Travellers Song' as they journey towards Bethlehem. After a stroke of luck, Mary and Joseph find a place to stay and Hannah successfully draws a donkey to put on the card!

The Christmas Crackers are the next to enter as Jenny suggests drawing these next to represent the presents we all receive on Christmas Day. As you may have guessed, a few jokes are shared between the crackers which may or may not crack a smile... 'Crackers' follows.

The Kings enter and present their gifts to Jesus during the Crib Song. After this, the lights fade on the crib scene and the children put their finishing touches on the birthday card before everyone sings a reprise of 'Happy Birthday Jesus.'

Suggested Cast List For 41 Actors

N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has.

Character NameNumber of Lines
John19
Richard19
Hannah18
Jenny13
Alice12
Paul7
Joseph4
Mary4
Cracker 13
Cracker 23
Cracker 33
Cracker 43
Fairy Light 13
Fairy Light 23
Fairy Light 83
Shepherd 13
Shepherd 23
Shepherd 33
Fairy Light 32
Fairy Light 42
Fairy Light 52
Fairy Light 62
Fairy Light 72
Innkeeper 22
Innkeeper 11
King 11
King 21
King 31
Traveller 11
Traveller 21
Traveller 31
Traveller 41

Non-speaking roles: A Donkey, who is silent throughout, a Chorus of four Christmas Trees and four additional Travellers. Eighteen of the children playing Christmas Trees, Travellers, Crackers or Fairy Lights will also be required, each with a lettered card to spell 'Happy Birthday Jesus'. These could be additional children if preferred.

Suggested Cast List For 28 Actors

N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has.

Character NameNumber of Lines
John19
Richard19
Hannah18
Jenny13
Alice12
Paul7
Shepherd 1 - also plays Innkeeper 25
Traveller 1 - also plays Cracker 1 and also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight4
Traveller 2 - also plays Cracker 2 and also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight4
Traveller 3 - also plays Cracker 3 and also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight4
Traveller 4 - also plays Cracker 4 and also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight4
Joseph4
Mary4
Shepherd 23
Shepherd 33
Fairy Light 1 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight3
Fairy Light 2 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight3
Fairy Light 8 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight3
Fairy Light 3 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight2
Fairy Light 4 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight2
Fairy Light 5 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight2
Fairy Light 6 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight2
Fairy Light 7 - also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight2
Innkeeper 1 - also plays Christmas Tree, and also holds letter card(s) in Scene eight1
King 1 - also plays Christmas Tree1
King 2 - also plays Christmas Tree1
King 3 - also plays Christmas Tree1

Non-speaking roles: A Donkey, who is silent throughout.

Notes:

  • For ease of costume change, the Christmas Trees could wear a fabric (or even paper) tabard, with a tree design on, over their other costume.
  • Similarly, the Travellers could simply don sparkly headbands, with crackers attached, to become the Crackers.
  • Five of the thirteen children holding letter cards in Scene eight will need to hold two cards (one in each hand). It is suggested that the digraphs (pp, ir, th, ay) and the 'us' (of 'Jesus') are used in this way, for ease of reading by the audience.

5 Star Rating

Happy Birthday Jesus (Nativity)

"What a fantastic show! I did this with Y1,Y2 and Y3 and it worked beautifully. On the last night we got a standing ovation! I am not musical at all but the CDs were really helpful and the children learned the songs easily. "
K.G. - Producer.

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  Downloads

Instant Downloads allow you to pay online with a Credit/Debit Card or PayPal and instantly download your materials as PDFs and/or MP3s.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script (Non-editable PDF) US$14.00
Script (Editable Word Doc) US$17.00
PDF & Word Doc Scripts US$21.00
PDF Piano Score (Grade 4 Standard) US$14.00
MP3 Backing Tracks US$7.00
MP3 Vocal Tracks US$7.00
Sing it! (PC)What's this? US$14.00
Sing it! (MAC)What's this? US$14.00
MP3 Learn it!What's this? US$7.00
Project it! (PowerPoint and JPGs)What's this? US$21.00

  Posted

The traditional means of getting your items. Most of our works are RING BOUND books or CDs of recorded music.

U.K. schools can order posted items with a school order number.
This facility is available at the end of the ordering process.

All UK posted orders are now sent via Royal Mail's 24 hour, fully tracked service. You will receive a tracking number via email once we have despatched your goods.

Non U.K. posted items are sent express tracked airmail delivery anywhere in the world. Please allow 14 days for all international deliveries.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script US$20.00
Pack of 5 Scripts US$54.00
Pack of 10 Scripts US$99.00
Piano Score (Grade 4 Standard) US$19.00
CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks (2 CDs) US$18.00
Sing it! CD-ROM (PC & MAC)What's this? US$21.00
CD of Learn it!What's this? US$11.00
Project it! CD-ROMWhat's this? US$27.00

  Performing Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Performing Licence covers you to perform this musical.

It is illegal to perform ANY published musical without the appropriate licence which is only available from the publisher of that musical.

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A performing licence is required for EACH PERFORMANCE.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price per Performance Price Number of Performances Number
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Copying Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Copying Licence covers you to copy ALL of any of the items you buy for this show either posted or downloaded.

This Licence is only available from the publisher of the copyright material.

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For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Video Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Video Licence allows you to record your performances and sell the DVDs without royalty payments applying. The Video Licence is given FREE OF CHARGE if you order a Performing Licence and a Copying Licence at the same time. Only fill in the box below if you wish to purchase a video licence separately.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00