Too Busy for Christmas
A Festive Musical for Primary Age Group
- 7 Songs
- Suitable for primary aged children
- Running time: approx. 45 minutes
- Number of speaking parts – 18 (although the Narration could be shared between several children).
Songs
- Travelling To Bethlehem
- You’re Stepping on My Hoof
- All the Beds Are Full
- We’ve Had A Message
- Follow the Star
- Sleeping Peacefully
- Don’t Be Too Busy For Christmas
An accompanying CD of the songs includes both vocal and backing tracks.
Example of Too Busy for Christmas Script (PDF)
Example of Too Busy for Christmas Music (PDF)
Synopsis
Isaiah is an innkeeper in Bethlehem but he’s not a very happy one! Caesar Augustus has ordered a census to be taken and everyone has had to return to the place of their birth. The good news is that the inn is full of travellers; the bad news is that all his staff have left the inn and gone home! Isaiah is rushed off his feet and far too busy to be concerned with a newborn baby in his stable. Then some unusual visitors arrive!
Sample Tracks
Characters
- Bartholomew
- Mother
- 5 Travellers
- Isaiah (The Inkeeper)
- Narrator 1
- Narrator 2 (the narration could be split between several children)
- Mary
- Joseph
- Shepherd 1
- Shepherd 2
- Wise Man 1
- Wise Man 2
- Wise Man 3
- Angel
- Travellers*
- Animals in stable*
- Angels*
*non-speaking roles
Setting
Most of the action takes place in Isaiah’s kitchen.
Props
- Bundles for the travellers to carry
- Table
- Stool or chair
- Bowl and spoon
- Basket of washing
- Sweeping brush
- Lantern
- Blanket
- Bread
- Crib
- Doll wrapped in a blanket
Costumes
Traditional nativity outfits – tunics, cloaks, headcloths, headbands, crowns for the Wise Men and a white tunic for the angel
Animals – headbands with ears or horns attached, a suitable coloured tee-shirt (brown, grey or black)