It’s officially time to bring out your Christmas decor and listen to Christmas carols! For a fun way to review When Joseph Went to Bethlehem in singing time or for a sweet nativity skit to share with your family and ward, act out this beautiful song!
You will love this When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Sing & Act Skit complete with costume and prop ideas, and a full acting script!
See all of our When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Singing Time Ideas here!!
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Sing & Act Skit
Have some fun acting out the sweet scene of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus. This script makes for a great singing time or a nativity reenactment for your ward Christmas party! I have participated in many nativity scenes, and there is something so special about seeing young children bring the tender story of Christ’s birth to life.
In this post, I outline the entire acting script and share prop and costume ideas for characters in this skit.
Since this skit doesn’t require very many characters, create a chorus of primary children to sing while the characters act out the story! This skit is meant to be a silent skit, with the song lyrics themselves narrating the story. While the chorus sings a line of the song, have Joseph and Mary act out the scene.
Characters:
- Joseph – Have a primary boy dress up in a long flannel shirt and pants.
- Mary – Have a primary girl dress in a robe or comfortable dress
- Donkey -Have a child wear brown or place a brown/gray sheet over a child
- Baby Jesus -Use a doll or hold a young baby with permission from parents
- Chorus
Props:
- Toolbox
- Keys
- Table with small pieces of wood
- Broom
- Bread
- Goat Cheese
- Fabric bag
- Lantern
- Wooden cradle
Set-Up:
Create the scene by setting up a table with tools laid out and pieces of wood on the table. Place a broom next to the table and place the cradle on the other side of the room. Feel free to create a “stable” atmosphere with animals or hay. Position the lantern near the cradle.
Position the chorus behind the scene and arrange boys and girls on each side. You can also assign solos or invite youth to sing.
Song lyrics in the script will be italicized and colored in blue ink, with actions written in black ink. Each character will also be highlighted in a different color.
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Acting Script
*Play an instrumental introduction to When Joseph Went to Bethlehem as Joseph enters.
Joseph enters with keys in his pocket.
*Boys Sing: “When Joseph went to Bethlehem, I think he took great care to place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.”
Joseph walks over to the table and places the tools in a toolbox. He places the toolbox on the floor and sweeps the floor. He removes the wood shavings from the table and ensures that the table is organized. He pulls the keys from his pocket and pretends to lock the door.
*Girls Sing: “He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back and carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.”
Mary enters, holding a fabric bag with bread and cheese. The donkey kneels next to her, and Joseph and Mary begin walking toward the stable.
*Boys Sing: “And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern’s light and held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.”
Mary quietly sits near the cradle while Joseph turns on the lantern. Joseph gently holds Baby Jesus.
*Girls Sing: “I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild and awed to be the guardian of Mary’s sacred child.”
Joseph stands and clears away the hay while Mary holds Baby Jesus.
*All Children: “Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands, and Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph’s gentle hands.”
Joseph and Mary hold Baby Jesus together and smile. When the music ends, Joseph shares his testimony.
Extension Activities:
- If using as a singing time activity, take turns playing Mary and Joseph. You will likely have many volunteers for these parts, so switch out actors each verse!
- Create a full nativity scene for your ward party by creating a full nativity scene with children dressed as cheep, cows, and donkeys. This can be a great option if you have a large primary!
- Read in Luke 2:1-7 at the beginning of the skit to introduce the song. If using this skit in primary, read several scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth as a group.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this When We’re Helping Act It Out singing time activity!
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Sing & Act Skit Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a one-page script outline that includes all 3 verses of the song.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including printable props in color and black and white and a black and white script. You’ll find these bonus files included in the December Old Testament packet.
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Head over to this When Joseph Went to Bethlehem At the Stable activity next!
What other fun ways will you use this sing & act singing time activity in your Primary room?
