Christmas

42 pages

8 m, 12 w, 7 children

The colorful, crazy yet thoroughly Christian staff and residents of the Jesus House, a retirement home, prepare to welcome Ellery Jamison into their world. His daughter, whom he hasn't seen in twenty years, is responsible for arranging his present placement. Unfortunately, Mr. Jamison is an atheist, and the last place on earth he wants to be is in a Christian nursing home, especially where one of the residents prides himself on making red and green fruitcakes for Christmas. Jamison's disdain for the home and all its residents is obvious, and it's tough for th...

62 pages

5 m, 4 w, 3 boys, 4 girls

A small group of weary travelers discover the power of the season while trapped in a lonely train station on Christmas Eve. As a blizzard rages outside, the troubled people are forced to turn to each other for companionship. Trying to make them more comfortable is the old stationmaster, Charlie. When the clock strikes midnight, there is a knock on the station door and seven youngsters appear. They've seen the station lights from the nearby church where, in secret, they've been practicing the story of the nativity which they plan to present at regular service....

24 pages

3 m, 5 w, 3 flexible parts and extras.

The wealthy Collins family returns from dining out Christmas Eve to find their home empty, thanks to three bumbling burglars who not only took all the furniture, but every one of the perfectly wrapped Christmas presents! With nearly all their wordly possessions gone, Mom and Dad, son and daughter, have to confront each other as to the true meaning of Christmas. Slowly, as they recount happier times as a family, they come to realize how much faith they have placed in material things. With the help of a neighbor's gift of a Bible and visiting carolers, the Coll...

14 pages

6 m (doubling possible), 4 w, 2 flexible, 2 teen boys, 2 girls.

The life-size nativity is up once again for public display along a busy sidewalk. Different views of Christmas abound and each will leave their mark on the nativity. Meet the attorney who believes he's well on his way to heaven by his wonderful contributions to society, or the two teenagers who find it hard to fit Jesus into their high-tech world. Cheerful shoppers are sure all the nativity needs is a bit of sprucing up to be appealing, and an apathetic Christian finds it easier to follow than to lead. Unbelief plagues two construction workers who find Jesus ...

39 pages

3 m, 4 w, 1 g.

Kate Sherman, grieving over the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law from a car accident, finds it almost impossible to show her love for granddaughter, Tammy. Kate won't even allow any Christmas decorations in the house including the now dusty star Tammy's daddy made for her. A climax is reached when Tammy steals her late mother's christening dress for a nativity scene being staged by a young visiting minister, his wife, and friend Jo, whose brother was the drunk driver who caused the fatal accident. At the end, Kate shows her renewed faith when she vows ne...

42 pages

6 m, 6 w, 2 girls, 3 flexible

Here is a touching comedy, a modern-day spin on the story of the Prodigal Son. After years of being over-shadowed by her pretty and over-confident older sister, Peri leaves home, taking the money from her college savings. Like the story from the New Testament, Peri, once quiet and hard-working, lives a life of excess, but finally realizes she wants to return to her family. A homeless man, who has more connection to the family than anyone initially realizes, urges Peri to call home. But will it be the same old story, or will the Stewarts have learned something...

60 pages

11 m, 10 w, 3 boys, and 12 flexible (With doubling, 4 m, 3 w, 1 boy, 6 flexible)

Ebenezer Scrooge is a cold-hearted miser, choosing to spend Christmas Eve alone instead of with his cheerful nephew, Fred. That night, he is visited by his old colleague, Jacob Marley, who explains that three ghosts will come.  After seeing his Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Scrooge awakens with renewed faith. In his redemption, he embraces family and friends and gives generously, forever changed. Following the story of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this unique version incorporates a narrator, traditional carols, and continuous action on...

24 pages

5 m, 6 w

It's Christmas and city slicker Gerald King is trying to find a way to bring his family closer together. They have drifted apart due to their daily routines: Gerald with his job; Alice, her meetings; and the kids – well, they’re teenagers (say no more). They have embarked on a trip to the mountains to get their very own Christmas tree. However, they get lost and have to be rescued by the Shepherds, an extended mountain family. The Shepherds mistake them as being down on their luck and welcome them into their home and their hearts. As relationships develop, th...

44 pages

4 m, 5 - 6 w

Detective Vic Torious is called to the home of famed archaeologist, Dr. Zeke N. Yeshalfind, who is hosting his annual Christmas dinner party for a few close friends and co-workers. During the party, he suddenly notices that his priceless 15th-century Nativity set is missing one of the magi. He demands that everyone remain there until Detective Vic Torious arrives. It is now Vic Torious’ task to discover who “moved” the missing magi. After the suspects have been questioned, the audience will vote for who they think did it. The epilogue, delivered post-intermis...

26 pages

4 m, 2 w, 2 m non-speaking.

"If that means I have to charge more, so be it! If that means that the poor have to go hungry, too bad!" Those are the unfeeling words of Jonas, an innkeeper in Bethlehem. His inn is full and business is booming, thanks to Caesar's decree. But Jonas' wife, Abigail, and daughter, Deborah, cannot talk him into being a more compassionate businessman and helping those less fortunate. Jonas argues he should make all the money he can now for their old age since their son, Rueben, who would have helped take care of them, died much too soon. The way Jonas figures it,...

47 pages

6 m, 4 w, 2 teen girls.

If putting on the church's Christmas play isn't hectic enough under normal circumstances, Randy Rogers has the added problem of whether to use two new members. Fred and Royce Fink are ready to act, but they are so comical and bumbling, the other church members don't want them anywhere around, much less with major roles! Even Randy starts to doubt his decision of including them when he sees what a disaster the play is turning into. But when the Royce brothers accept Christ, they step into their greatest roles - that of showing us the joys of acceptance and for...

32 pages

1 m, 1 w, 8 flex, 1 b, 1 g, extras.

Captain Gilabo, a greedy, Scrooge-like pirate, and his bumbling crew are spending their Christmas on a tropical island searching for the "treasure of all treasures." There is only one problem: the island is inhabited by children and the captain hates children! After holding one of the children captive, his crew begins to have a change of heart concerning their lives as fugitives. When the children share the Christmas story with their new pirate companions, the crew decides to leave the evil captain for good. Throw in a sinking island, a mis-fired cannon and a...

22 pages

1 m, 3 w, 2-3 girls.

Speaking parts: 1 m, 3 w, 2-3 girls. Nativity non-speaking roles for 3 m, 1 w, 2 teen boys. Also children’s choir, optional handbell choir or other musicians.

"Finding Joy" tells the poignant, but funny story of Lucy, a grandmother struggling to find joy this first Christmas after her husband has passed away. Surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren, Lucy tries her best to decorate. Unwrapping the nativity pieces, an angel appears and takes Lucy into the world of the holy family where joy and difficulty also walked han...

24 pages

4 m, 4 w, 2 flexible, extras, choir

Harry Hamilton, a local town council member, successfully persuades the council to eliminate the manger scene from the town square, only to discover that just a block away a local community church will host a living nativity. And guess who is chosen to be Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus? Harry’s son and daughter-in-law had become Christians during the previous year and are delighted when the pastor asks them and their new son to portray the holy family. Forced to visit the live nativity by his wife, the doting mother and grandmother, Harry at first appears to be...

24 pages

6 m, 4 w.

The Murphys are back in another heartwarming, spiritual comedy. (Meet them in "A Christmas Rapture".) This year they get a lot more than they bargained for when they adopt a nursing home patient for the Christmas holidays. What was hoped to be an opportunity to minister turns into a trial of their faith when Gus Swanson (better known as Grumpy Gus) arrives. Bitter and hardened from a past hurt, Gus makes life miserable for anyone around him. But the faith of teenage Denita Murphy and an unexpected reunion between Gus and a young evangelist, show us the healin...

44 pages

7 m, 9 w

Marcy Bradford, a self-centered movie star, is distraught over being delayed at the airport on Christmas Eve with the possibility of being late for her performances. Add to that the antics of three senile, sweet old ladies, two small-time thieves and a doctor and his wife trying to get away on a long overdue vacation and you see the tension rising. Both Marcy's mother and secretary try to remind her of what Christmas used to be like before her fame. With the help of a missionary couple coming home after four years in Africa, and Jimmy, a homeless man (really ...

52 pages

Widely flexible cast (suggested minimum 4 m, 4 w, 1 narrator, 3 children)

These 12 Yuletide sketches will provide an evening of laughter while never losing sight of the holiness of the season. With flexible casting and only a chair or bench for scenery, they're just right for any stage and ideal for dinner theatre. On this visit to Christmastown you'll meet some passersby in a park who tell you what Christmas really means to them and some strangers waiting for a bus who give gifts to each other, inspired by a little girl's doll. Find out what the wise men were thinking, at least when they are portrayed by three 10-year-olds in thei...

40 pages

4 m, 4 w, and 1 teen

What does Christmas really mean in the heart of the average person? That is what news reporter Vicki Huffman is assigned to find out and her story will be featured in the paper’s Christmas edition. She needs to interview a number of people from different walks of life to try to come to some consensus about this special holiday. She is assisted by her friend Elisabeth, who already has a good handle on what Christmas is about, as well as a young papergirl who touches the hearts of everyone in the office and beyond. She even melts th...

20 pages

6 - 11 m, 3 - 4 w, 1 flexible, doubling possible

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the library it was quiet, until Tom and Huck wander from their book seeking a new adventure! Opening the cover of “Alice in Wonderland,” the boys are shocked by a rabbit hopping out, quickly followed by Alice. Trying to catch the rabbit leads to more books being knocked open, and they are soon joined by Dorothy Gale from “The Wizard of Oz,” St. Nicholas from “’T’was the Night Before Christmas,” Mrs. March from “Little Women” and old Scrooge with Marley from “A Christmas Carol.” The confused characters try to ma...

54 pages

11 m, 11 w, 2 flexible, 8 boys, 6 girls.

This faithful yet unique adaptation of the Charles Dickens' holiday story begins in "another world" where Tiny Tim appears. More than just an employee's crippled son, he is a symbol of Scrooge's own infirmity. Scrooge's deceased business partner, Marley, is granted permission to return to Earth with a small but powerful army of holiday spirits on his adventure to convert the covetous old sinner into a Yuletide saint. The most popular scenes of the novel are dramatized, but especially powerful is the future scene of Bob Cratchit's gut-wrenching loss of his bel...

40 pages

4 m, 3 w, 2 teen girls, 2 boys.

Following a divorce, Judy Williams has become bitter and tries to shut out the world and move away from her troubles. The only problem with that is, God isn't finished with her, and He moves her right into the middle of a bunch of caring Christians. And He tops it off with two new neighbors who are guardian angels. He even challenges her with the Fink brothers, two bumblers who don't know how to do anything right - except show God's love. Here is a play which reminds us that when you are willing to experience God's forgiveness it can cut through bitterness an...

40 pages

2 m, 7 w, 3 b, 2 g + extras if desired.

Florence and Myrna, residents of a rest home in Pasadena, make up a story to test Myrna's children. Florence has never had a real family Christmas. Myrna had years of storybook Christmases with her five children who live in Idaho, but now her health needs have brought her to a warmer climate. Florence fantasizes that a family would come along and take her in for Christmas, but of course no family would put themselves out that way. Yes, they would, says Myrna, her children would. She taught them to be caring in just that way. "Would not," says Florence. "Would...

32 pages

3-12, gender flexible.

There's wonderful news in the air - the Son of God is born! Follow the adventure of a shepherd boy and his lamb as they cross the countryside telling anyone they can about the birth of the Messiah! But it turns out that not quite everyone shares their excitement about the good news. "Pass-It-On Christmas" is equal parts chaotic comedy and touching storytelling that is sure to become a holiday favorite for all ages. This utterly delightful comedy is perfect for almost any Christmas occasion: small cast, large cast, small stage, no budget, children's audience, ...

40 pages

2 m, 4 w.

Richard Franklin is a bitter man who can't stop blaming his son, William, for an accident which killed an older Franklin son one Christmas some 20 years ago. The tragedy has soured their father-son relationship although Richard, an important church member, and William, who is indifferent to religion, have learned to live with it. A crisis this Christmas, however, makes both men face up to the true meaning of what giving - and forgiving - really mean. Additional roles include Betty, the wife, who knows God is the source of all strength; the Franklin daughters;...

44 pages

3 m, 4 w, 2 flexible, 3 girls, 2 boys

Delmas, a father of three daughters and several grandchildren, is fighting a losing battle to cancer. This comes only one year after his wife passed away. Delmas also grieves over an estranged brother with whom he wants to reconcile before it is too late. Two of Delmas’s daughters are dealing with their own problems, with the third daughter caught in the middle. The sisters, with emotions on edge, begin to argue over inheritances and cause added pain to an already difficult situation. Four grandchildren struggle with losing someone they love so much, and how ...

24 pages

5 m, 3 w, 5 flex

It Christmas and once more the ornaments have been hauled out of storage and put on display. But why? That is the question that the Christmas tree ornaments are asking themselves. Why are they stuffed in boxes for months on end just to be hauled out and stuck on a prickly old tree once a year? As they argue amongst themselves and bemoan their aches and pains from being cramped up for so long, they are suddenly confronted with the characters from the crèche: an angel, a shepherd and a wise man. They've come to tell the ornaments to keep it down as they are goi...

20 pages

2 m, 5 teens, 2 children.

Seven youngsters, who have heard that Jesus appears on Earth on Christmas Eve, sneak into the church near midnight. As much as they hope to see Him, they become frightened when a strange man appears. In ragged clothes, hungry and tired, the stranger eats the food the youngsters brought as they question him. Is he some kind of homeless man or is he indeed the Savior they have been seeking? An extraordinary play which reminds us that our Savior is not just found in church but is everywhere. About 30 minutes.

38 pages

5 m, 6 w, 1 boy.

Last Christmas, the wealthy Hendersons found Christ beneath a certain bright star they had mounted on their rooftop. (see "The Guiding Star".) This year, Charles and Liz want to put Christ in everyone's Christmas, but that may not be so easy, at least not with Liz's family visiting. Her parents are fighting non-stop and her sister, Sue, criticizes everything and everyone. Things go from bad to worse when it's discovered almost $500 is missing. Sue accuses the bumbling but lovable workmen, George and Bernie, who are trying to repair the rooftop star, but Sue's...

58 pages

6 m, 6 w, 1 flexible

What would you do if you lost your job, lost your home, and were on the verge of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy… yet everyone in your family was already planning to spend Christmas with you? If you’re Melvin Maldaput, you call upon your real estate buddy to lend you a million-dollar home for the holidays. Melvin and his wife Miranda end up telling a string of lies to keep the ruse going. The last thing Melvin wants is his parents or in-laws to discover that he is a failure. Melvin’s rich hillbilly neighbors, Prudy and Pruitt, even pretend to be his servants. But...

20 pages

1 m, 1 - 2 w, 3 teen boys, 1 teen girl, (extras: 4 m, 1 w) Plus angelic choir (2 songs)

Owen is disgruntled. It’s time for the annual Christmas pageant and he’s been chosen for the role of a “dumb ole shepherd.” It’s even worse because his older brother will be playing a king carrying a gift of gold and his sister an angel dressed in regal finery. Meanwhile, Owen will be clothed in a “ratty old bathrobe with a towel wrapped around his head” carrying a stick. It just ain’t fair!

While he is stewing over his fate, he drifts off to sleep where he is transported back to the ...