Room At The Inn
Drama
No Stable Too Small
15 Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes
Object:
Characters (in order of appearance)
Narrator
Innkeeper
Innkeeper's Wife
Mary
Joseph
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Other Shepherds (nonspeaking)
Angel 1
Angel 2
Angel 3
Innkeeper's Daughter
Props
Chair
Brush
Lantern
Manger
Baby doll
Notes
With only eleven speaking parts, many of the roles are only a line or two in length, and a very basic set, "Room At The Inn" is a fairly simple play to stage. The set consists of one chair, placed stage left, facing out. A lantern is placed at the end of stage left.
(Narrator stands at a lectern placed upstage right.)
Narrator: On an unusually quiet street in the town of Bethlehem sat a small inn that had seen better days. It had only six rooms for rent. A small barn stood behind it, housing three cows, an old horse, and a dozen or so sheep. Doves nested in the rafters above. Fresh hay had been laid in the manger for the animals to graze.
Normally, very few people stayed at this inn. But the government had ordered a census, and people had flocked to town. All the better inns filled up quickly. So, little by little, the people came, and it was well after midnight by the time the Innkeeper had seen the last tired couple to their room.
(Innkeeper's Wife enters stage left. She sits in the chair and begins to brush her hair. The Innkeeper enters, stretching his neck and shoulders. Both are very tired.)
Innkeeper: Well, I got the last of them put away for the night. It's been ages since we've been this full.
Innkeeper's Wife: At least it means we'll be able to pay the bills this month.
Innkeeper: Yes, the census has been good for business. I can't believe how many people are in town.
(Mary and Joseph enter up center aisle. At the front, they stop just short of where the Innkeeper and his wife stand. Joseph pantomimes a knock at the door.)
Innkeeper: Who could that be now? (pantomimes opening the door)
Joseph: Brother Innkeeper, do you have a room for the night?
Innkeeper: No, we're full up. Go away. (pantomimes starting to shut the door)
Joseph: (with some desperation) No, please. My wife is about to have our first child. We've traveled so far and there's just no room at any other inn. Please, don't send us back out into the night.
(Innkeeper's Wife comes to the door and looks with pity on Mary.)
Innkeeper's Wife: Ezra. Have you forgotten the basic rules of hospitality? She's about to have a baby. Surely we can find some place for them.
Innkeeper: Well, the stable is clean. I checked it myself this morning. There's plenty of fresh hay to rest on and I think there's one extra blanket in the closet. It's not much, but you're welcome to it.
Joseph: We'll take it, gladly. At least Mary will be able to get some sleep.
Innkeeper: Let me get a lantern and lead you out there.
(Innkeeper leads them off right. Shepherds enter from stage left and sit in a semicircle, center stage.)
Narrator: That same night shepherds were out in the fields nearby, watching over their flocks. Many were nodding off to sleep. All were huddled for warmth by a fire. One shepherd was staring up at the skies. He nudged his friend sleeping next to him.
Shepherd 1: Hey, look at that star.
Shepherd 2: You woke me up to see a star? Believe me. I've seen them all already.
Shepherd 1: But, you have to see this one. (points up) I've looked at the stars for years, too, but I've never seen anything like this.
Shepherd 2: (staring up) You're right. What do you think it is?
Shepherd 1: A shooting star, maybe?
Shepherd 2: But it's not falling. It's more like someone is guiding it. Pulling it by its tail to somewhere important.
Narrator: As the shepherds looked up, a band of angels appeared in the sky.
(Angels enter from left and stand on front part of platform.)
Shepherd 1: It just gets weirder.
Shepherd 2: And you were worried about a star?
(All Shepherds are now awake. They huddle together in fear.)
Angel 1: Fear not. For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Angel 2: For unto you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
Angel 3: And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Angel Choir: Glory to God in the highest. Peace on Earth, good will to men.
(Angels step down off platform, walk up the center aisle and exit out the back.)
Shepherd 1: A baby in a manger?
Shepherd 2: A Savior, which is Christ the Lord?
Shepherd 1: Hey, let's try to find this miraculous child.
Shepherd 2: But, they said he's in the city of David. I've never been to a city. Do you think it would be okay? I mean, look how we're dressed.
Shepherd 1: If this thing is as important as I think it is, we don't have time to worry about stuff like that. Let's go.
(Mary and Joseph reenter from stage right as Shepherds exit, following the Angels up the center aisle. Angels exit out through the back. Shepherds walk to the back, turn, and come back up to the front via the left aisle. Joseph carries the manger and sets it down on the platform center stage. Mary gently lays the baby in the manger. Innkeeper and wife peer through the imaginary door at left, and watch with some horror as the Shepherds approach.)
Innkeeper: What are those common shepherds doing here? Do those rules of hospitality mean I have to give them a room, too?
(Shepherds knock on imaginary door. Innkeeper pantomimes opening it just a crack.)
Innkeeper: I'm sorry. There are no rooms. Please take your flocks and go back to the valley.
Shepherd 1: We didn't come here for a room, sir. We've come to worship the miracle child.
Shepherd 2: Yes, we were told by the angels that this baby had been born in the city of David. I believe that's here -- Bethlehem.
Shepherd 1: We've asked at every inn in town. Please, has the baby been born yet?
Innkeeper's Wife: The strangers in the stable? Perhaps she has had her child.
Innkeeper: You expect me to believe that tired, penniless young couple could have given birth to a miracle child?
Shepherd 1: Where is the stable? We must find out if the child is there.
Innkeeper: It's very late. And, I must say, I think it's very rude of you to be disturbing us at this hour. Tell me, how will you know if this is your miracle child?
Shepherd 2: The child the angels spoke of is the Son of God. I think we'll know if it is the right child by the love we'll see on his face.
Innkeeper's Wife: Honestly, Ezra, a miracle could be happening in your barn and all you care about is sleeping. I'll take you to the stable.
Innkeeper: (reluctantly) No. It's too late and I won't have you all scaring the cows. You shouldn't go back alone. Let me get the lantern.
(Innkeeper, Innkeeper's Wife, and Shepherds exit left and walk across the floor to the other side of the platform. The Innkeeper holds a lantern. The Shepherds look at child and immediately fall to their knees. Wife, hesitatingly, follows.)
Innkeeper: What are you kneeling for?
Innkeeper's Wife: I truly believe there is something special about this child. (turning to Mary) What is his name?
Mary: The angel told me to name him Jesus. I know it's kind of a strange name. But, he's been set apart for a special purpose.
Joseph: He's the promised Child of Light that will lead mankind out of the darkness, and reconcile humanity with its Creator.
Innkeeper: He's just been born and he's going to do all that? How can a little child save anyone? Nothing is as vulnerable or helpless as a baby.
Mary: But this child is the Son of God.
Innkeeper: How can he be the Son of God and your son, too? Are you a God?
Mary: No. Just someone who heard the Word, and listened, and believed. Just like these shepherds did. It's all part of his plan.
Joseph: As were you and your good wife when you took pity on weary strangers.
(Innkeeper's Daughter enters from stage left, rubbing her eyes.)
Daughter: Daddy, Mommy, did you hear the angels?
Innkeeper's Wife: (going to the child and putting her arms around her) Honey, what are you doing awake? Were we making too much noise?
Daughter: No, it was the angels. It was the sweetest music I've ever heard, and the happiest. Didn't you hear them?
Innkeeper's Wife: No, sweetie. We didn't. Tell me about it.
Daughter: I was sleeping when I heard this sound. Like the way you used to sing to me, only it was lots of voices singing all at once. And I looked out the window and the sky was so bright. After a while I could hear what they were singing about: a baby being born. And, then I heard the baby crying.
Mary: That was Jesus. Come see him. He's awake, too.
Daughter: I knew it. They sang of a baby, a marvelous baby, and here he is. Daddy, aren't we lucky? God chose to let him be born here.
Innkeeper's Wife: Yes, honey. God has truly blessed us.
Innkeeper: Now, wait a second. We welcome strangers. You hear some shepherds, who probably had gotten into the master's wine, singing, and all of a sudden we're part of a miracle? I think you've let all the excitement of this census get to you.
Daughter: Daddy, just look at the baby. Really look at him.
Innkeeper: What am I looking for? I see a child. A beautiful child. But, you were beautiful like that, too. Why is he so special?
Innkeeper's Wife: Think about the prophecies. All the years we've waited for something like this. Then, look at him again.
(Innkeeper looks down at the baby. This time he is really touched.)
Innkeeper: I'm not sure ... but, I think I see it now. Where's the blanket? I thought we had brought out a blanket for the baby?
Daughter: I'll get it, Daddy.
Innkeeper's Wife: And I'll reheat what was left of tonight's stew. Ezra, draw some fresh water for them.
Innkeeper: Yes. We'll do all of that and more for our special guests. But, first, I think we need to give thanks for the miracle of this night.
(Innkeeper kneels to pray. Lights fade down.)
Narrator
Innkeeper
Innkeeper's Wife
Mary
Joseph
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Other Shepherds (nonspeaking)
Angel 1
Angel 2
Angel 3
Innkeeper's Daughter
Props
Chair
Brush
Lantern
Manger
Baby doll
Notes
With only eleven speaking parts, many of the roles are only a line or two in length, and a very basic set, "Room At The Inn" is a fairly simple play to stage. The set consists of one chair, placed stage left, facing out. A lantern is placed at the end of stage left.
(Narrator stands at a lectern placed upstage right.)
Narrator: On an unusually quiet street in the town of Bethlehem sat a small inn that had seen better days. It had only six rooms for rent. A small barn stood behind it, housing three cows, an old horse, and a dozen or so sheep. Doves nested in the rafters above. Fresh hay had been laid in the manger for the animals to graze.
Normally, very few people stayed at this inn. But the government had ordered a census, and people had flocked to town. All the better inns filled up quickly. So, little by little, the people came, and it was well after midnight by the time the Innkeeper had seen the last tired couple to their room.
(Innkeeper's Wife enters stage left. She sits in the chair and begins to brush her hair. The Innkeeper enters, stretching his neck and shoulders. Both are very tired.)
Innkeeper: Well, I got the last of them put away for the night. It's been ages since we've been this full.
Innkeeper's Wife: At least it means we'll be able to pay the bills this month.
Innkeeper: Yes, the census has been good for business. I can't believe how many people are in town.
(Mary and Joseph enter up center aisle. At the front, they stop just short of where the Innkeeper and his wife stand. Joseph pantomimes a knock at the door.)
Innkeeper: Who could that be now? (pantomimes opening the door)
Joseph: Brother Innkeeper, do you have a room for the night?
Innkeeper: No, we're full up. Go away. (pantomimes starting to shut the door)
Joseph: (with some desperation) No, please. My wife is about to have our first child. We've traveled so far and there's just no room at any other inn. Please, don't send us back out into the night.
(Innkeeper's Wife comes to the door and looks with pity on Mary.)
Innkeeper's Wife: Ezra. Have you forgotten the basic rules of hospitality? She's about to have a baby. Surely we can find some place for them.
Innkeeper: Well, the stable is clean. I checked it myself this morning. There's plenty of fresh hay to rest on and I think there's one extra blanket in the closet. It's not much, but you're welcome to it.
Joseph: We'll take it, gladly. At least Mary will be able to get some sleep.
Innkeeper: Let me get a lantern and lead you out there.
(Innkeeper leads them off right. Shepherds enter from stage left and sit in a semicircle, center stage.)
Narrator: That same night shepherds were out in the fields nearby, watching over their flocks. Many were nodding off to sleep. All were huddled for warmth by a fire. One shepherd was staring up at the skies. He nudged his friend sleeping next to him.
Shepherd 1: Hey, look at that star.
Shepherd 2: You woke me up to see a star? Believe me. I've seen them all already.
Shepherd 1: But, you have to see this one. (points up) I've looked at the stars for years, too, but I've never seen anything like this.
Shepherd 2: (staring up) You're right. What do you think it is?
Shepherd 1: A shooting star, maybe?
Shepherd 2: But it's not falling. It's more like someone is guiding it. Pulling it by its tail to somewhere important.
Narrator: As the shepherds looked up, a band of angels appeared in the sky.
(Angels enter from left and stand on front part of platform.)
Shepherd 1: It just gets weirder.
Shepherd 2: And you were worried about a star?
(All Shepherds are now awake. They huddle together in fear.)
Angel 1: Fear not. For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Angel 2: For unto you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
Angel 3: And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Angel Choir: Glory to God in the highest. Peace on Earth, good will to men.
(Angels step down off platform, walk up the center aisle and exit out the back.)
Shepherd 1: A baby in a manger?
Shepherd 2: A Savior, which is Christ the Lord?
Shepherd 1: Hey, let's try to find this miraculous child.
Shepherd 2: But, they said he's in the city of David. I've never been to a city. Do you think it would be okay? I mean, look how we're dressed.
Shepherd 1: If this thing is as important as I think it is, we don't have time to worry about stuff like that. Let's go.
(Mary and Joseph reenter from stage right as Shepherds exit, following the Angels up the center aisle. Angels exit out through the back. Shepherds walk to the back, turn, and come back up to the front via the left aisle. Joseph carries the manger and sets it down on the platform center stage. Mary gently lays the baby in the manger. Innkeeper and wife peer through the imaginary door at left, and watch with some horror as the Shepherds approach.)
Innkeeper: What are those common shepherds doing here? Do those rules of hospitality mean I have to give them a room, too?
(Shepherds knock on imaginary door. Innkeeper pantomimes opening it just a crack.)
Innkeeper: I'm sorry. There are no rooms. Please take your flocks and go back to the valley.
Shepherd 1: We didn't come here for a room, sir. We've come to worship the miracle child.
Shepherd 2: Yes, we were told by the angels that this baby had been born in the city of David. I believe that's here -- Bethlehem.
Shepherd 1: We've asked at every inn in town. Please, has the baby been born yet?
Innkeeper's Wife: The strangers in the stable? Perhaps she has had her child.
Innkeeper: You expect me to believe that tired, penniless young couple could have given birth to a miracle child?
Shepherd 1: Where is the stable? We must find out if the child is there.
Innkeeper: It's very late. And, I must say, I think it's very rude of you to be disturbing us at this hour. Tell me, how will you know if this is your miracle child?
Shepherd 2: The child the angels spoke of is the Son of God. I think we'll know if it is the right child by the love we'll see on his face.
Innkeeper's Wife: Honestly, Ezra, a miracle could be happening in your barn and all you care about is sleeping. I'll take you to the stable.
Innkeeper: (reluctantly) No. It's too late and I won't have you all scaring the cows. You shouldn't go back alone. Let me get the lantern.
(Innkeeper, Innkeeper's Wife, and Shepherds exit left and walk across the floor to the other side of the platform. The Innkeeper holds a lantern. The Shepherds look at child and immediately fall to their knees. Wife, hesitatingly, follows.)
Innkeeper: What are you kneeling for?
Innkeeper's Wife: I truly believe there is something special about this child. (turning to Mary) What is his name?
Mary: The angel told me to name him Jesus. I know it's kind of a strange name. But, he's been set apart for a special purpose.
Joseph: He's the promised Child of Light that will lead mankind out of the darkness, and reconcile humanity with its Creator.
Innkeeper: He's just been born and he's going to do all that? How can a little child save anyone? Nothing is as vulnerable or helpless as a baby.
Mary: But this child is the Son of God.
Innkeeper: How can he be the Son of God and your son, too? Are you a God?
Mary: No. Just someone who heard the Word, and listened, and believed. Just like these shepherds did. It's all part of his plan.
Joseph: As were you and your good wife when you took pity on weary strangers.
(Innkeeper's Daughter enters from stage left, rubbing her eyes.)
Daughter: Daddy, Mommy, did you hear the angels?
Innkeeper's Wife: (going to the child and putting her arms around her) Honey, what are you doing awake? Were we making too much noise?
Daughter: No, it was the angels. It was the sweetest music I've ever heard, and the happiest. Didn't you hear them?
Innkeeper's Wife: No, sweetie. We didn't. Tell me about it.
Daughter: I was sleeping when I heard this sound. Like the way you used to sing to me, only it was lots of voices singing all at once. And I looked out the window and the sky was so bright. After a while I could hear what they were singing about: a baby being born. And, then I heard the baby crying.
Mary: That was Jesus. Come see him. He's awake, too.
Daughter: I knew it. They sang of a baby, a marvelous baby, and here he is. Daddy, aren't we lucky? God chose to let him be born here.
Innkeeper's Wife: Yes, honey. God has truly blessed us.
Innkeeper: Now, wait a second. We welcome strangers. You hear some shepherds, who probably had gotten into the master's wine, singing, and all of a sudden we're part of a miracle? I think you've let all the excitement of this census get to you.
Daughter: Daddy, just look at the baby. Really look at him.
Innkeeper: What am I looking for? I see a child. A beautiful child. But, you were beautiful like that, too. Why is he so special?
Innkeeper's Wife: Think about the prophecies. All the years we've waited for something like this. Then, look at him again.
(Innkeeper looks down at the baby. This time he is really touched.)
Innkeeper: I'm not sure ... but, I think I see it now. Where's the blanket? I thought we had brought out a blanket for the baby?
Daughter: I'll get it, Daddy.
Innkeeper's Wife: And I'll reheat what was left of tonight's stew. Ezra, draw some fresh water for them.
Innkeeper: Yes. We'll do all of that and more for our special guests. But, first, I think we need to give thanks for the miracle of this night.
(Innkeeper kneels to pray. Lights fade down.)
