Left Right Nativity Christmas Game: Free Pass-the-Gift Story

The left right game is a favorite gift exchange: everyone holds a gift and passes it left or right whenever those words are read in a story. This version tells the Christmas story, from Mary and Joseph's journey to the wise men and the star, so it is perfect for church parties, Sunday school and family Christmas Eve. Below is a free short version with 17 passes.

How to play

Everyone sits in a circle with a small wrapped gift. For a big group, use a few gifts.
The host reads the story slowly.
Every time you hear LEFT, pass your gift to the person on your left. Every time you hear RIGHT, pass it to the right.
When the story ends, the gift in your hands is yours to keep.

Free short Left Right Nativity story (17 passes)

Mary and Joseph LEFT Nazareth to go to Bethlehem. Joseph walked on the LEFT, and the donkey carried Mary on the RIGHT.

In Bethlehem, Joseph knocked on a door to the LEFT. No room! He knocked on a door to the RIGHT. No room! But a kind innkeeper said, "There is room in my stable RIGHT out back."

That night baby Jesus was born. There was a cow on the LEFT, a sheep on the RIGHT, and a manger full of hay.

Angels told the shepherds the good news, and they LEFT their sheep RIGHT away to see the baby.

Wise men followed a bright star, LEFT and RIGHT, until it stopped RIGHT over Bethlehem. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, then LEFT for home.

Now we give gifts to the LEFT and to the RIGHT to remember Jesus, the greatest gift of all. Whoever holds a gift RIGHT now gets to keep it. Merry Christmas!

Tips for hosts

Read slowly and pause a moment after each LEFT and RIGHT.
Use small, similar gifts so nobody minds where they end up, such as candy, ornaments or gift cards of the same value.
For older groups, read the longer version so the gifts travel further.
Show the story on a TV so the reader and the players can follow along.

The full version

Our Left Right Nativity Christmas Game includes the full 11-part story with 35 passes (about 6 minutes), the short story for kids, a large print PDF with every LEFT and RIGHT in bold red, a PowerPoint slideshow and a read on screen version for phones and TVs.

Left Right Nativity Christmas Game

Full and short stories, a large print PDF with LEFT and RIGHT highlighted, a PowerPoint slideshow and a read on screen version.

See all Christmas party games

Frequently asked questions

What is the Left Right Christmas game?

It is a gift exchange where players pass a gift to the left or right each time they hear those words in a story. Whoever holds a gift at the end keeps it.

Is the Nativity version good for church?

Yes. It retells the Christmas story gently and works for church parties, Sunday school, youth groups and women's ministry events.

How many people can play?

Any number from 5 up. For large groups, use several gifts at once.