Christmas

29 pages

11 characters

Serenity and Charity, two angels under Gabriel’s supervision, have been dispatched to Earth to help mankind remember what Christmas should be about. To maximize their out-reach they tackle the place where there are the most humans: a busy store in the middle of the holiday shopping season! Their scheme is to leave a gift in the “Lost and Found” department, hoping that someone opens it to discover its mysterious contents. Unfortunately, the stressed humans have so many sales to find and buying to do that no one claims the package. As a last resort, th...

40 pages

4 m, 6 w

Ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph along the nativity trail? Stargazer Holy Land Tours promises that you will experience what it was like as you journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, just like they did over 2,000 years ago. Not only will you step where they stepped, but you will do it in style. The tour promises luxury yurts, the finest Jewish cuisine, and an expert tour guide. But sometimes the amenities in the brochure are just too good to be true. Join the retired pastor and his wife, a newlywed couple, a travel critic, a photographer, a...

20 pages

Many flexible roles with doubling, 8 players.

In this sequel to Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Marley returns one year after Scrooge has become a more generous and loving man. When Scrooge protests that he keeps Christmas, Marley responds, "Yes, but does Christmas keep you?" Three Spirits, Faith, Hope and Love, appear, to take Scrooge back in time to witness the first Christmas. But Scrooge refuses to see that something is missing in his life. Only when the third Spirit, Love, reveals himself as Jesus does Scrooge understand the real meaning of Christmas. The drama ends with Scrooge surprising the...

32 pages

Large, flexible cast. With doubling: 5 m, 2 w, extras, carolers.

The human stories behind our beloved Christmas carols are brought to life in this joyful, hour-long musical. Easily rehearsed vignettes and the option of using carolers rather than actors for singing make this show extremely flexible. Among the stories included: Issac Watts was discouraged over the hymns that were being sung in church, so he wrote a new one every week for the next two years, including "Joy to the World." Rev. Edmund Sears could feel the tensions caused by the Industrial Revolution and upcoming Civil War. He wrote "It Came Upon a Midnight Clea...

20 pages

Cast of 10. (2 w, 3 teen girls, 5 teens)

Kaylee is not particularly thrilled about having to be part of a living Nativity at her church. Instead of standing outside in the cold, posing with her friends in costumes like a cheap religious Christmas card, she'd rather be with her boyfriend. The others have varying opinions, but all agree that emailing, texting and playing on their cell phones help pass the time between running to positions whenever a car passes. Kaylee just thinks it's all a waste of precious time. But sometimes God chooses crazy things, like this living Nativity, to share His love. So...

56 pages

3 m, 7 w, 5 teenage girls, 2 teenage boys.

Jacob and Marie Carlson have been married for 17 years, and all that time, Jacob's father, Melvin, and Marie's mother, Antoinette, have hated each other. Disastrous holidays have been avoided by alternating their parents' invitations to special occasions. But this Christmas, Antoinette changes her mind and surprises the family by arriving after Melvin has already settled in! Their little jabs at each other soon escalate when Antoinette hides Melvin's false teeth and he retaliates by hiding her wig. The tension and hilarity rise even more when the extra outdoo...

34 pages

5 m, 5 w, 3 flexible, 5 children.

It is Christmas Eve and Randy and Karen Rogers are preparing for their first Christmas at home with their new infant son and the arrival of both of their families. It will be baby Devon's first Christmas but it will not be the Christmas his parents had planned for him. Not only is this special day shaping up to be filled with bickering and hostility between the in-laws, but it will also hold an unexpected trip to the hospital. But who said Christ can't bring Christmas to an emergency room? Offset with the humor of the Fink brothers, a couple of goofy neighbor...

60 pages

6 m, 6 w

Prudy and Pruitt Prouty have sad news this Christmas. Their once successful business, Seagull Commander, is facing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They are forced to lay off all their employees and liquidate their assets. Melvin Maldaput is the first employee they break the news to as he and his wife Miranda have become their friends. Last year Melvin was facing Chapter 7 bankruptcy and the Proutys were able to help him.

Melvin is upset because he was counting on using his Christmas bonus for ...

51 pages

5 m, 4 w, 1 flexible and 1 young teen

Vickie Webster, an elderly mother, grandmother and widow, has a mess on her hands. She and her family are in the middle of a financial nightmare that threatens to take her home, her son’s family, and all the joy out of Christmas. They are all in the “red” and can see no possible way out of it.  But with the faith and love of her two crazy “sisters” and the rest of the “family,” they find that God has provided some amazing and comical answers to the problems they face. With the help of an angel that has stepped in before, and a provision that God put in place ...

36 pages

4 m, 5 w, 1 flex, extras

Since they were knee high, Dill Mickle and Phil Slaw, now brothers-in-law, have dreamed of being the grand marshals of Crabshore, Maryland’s Christmas Crabtacular. The honor of grand marshal only goes to the fisherman who catches the biggest crab. Gladys Leech has won for the past twenty years! But Phil is trying something different this year, a new tactic. He is going to use faith as bait. (Just like the catch Jesus netted on the Sea of Galilee!) Dill has doubts, but Phil ends up catching a crab of ridiculous measure. They end up beating all the odds to beco...

68 pages

8 m, 7 w, 2 flexible

Doc Nash had a successful medical career, but five years ago, after losing his wife, he decided to return to his country home in Baynesville, VA. There, he established a medical clinic where residents of his childhood hometown could receive free medical care.  Even with only one Johnny-on-the-spot nurse and a bumbling receptionist, this clinic has become a vital part of this rural community. Since its inception, the clinic has been supported with funds from the local government and private donations. However, with recent cuts in funding and a dip in the econo...

70 pages

from 2m, 2 w, to 5 m, 7 w.

These seven skits look at Christmas from different angles. Some titles include "Grandma, the Lights Are Out," about faith in our Lord and His provisions for us; "The Perfect Gift," and why no one will accept it; "The Christmas Question" which asks what will you do with Jesus; and the humorous skit, "The Package." While each skit offers a fresh perspective, common to all is the miracle of Jesus' birth and sacrifice. A resource you'll use for many years! Performance time: 10 to 30 minutes each.

32 pages

4 m, 4 w, 4 flexible, extras

Mark Nelson, an “Everyman” husband and father, has scheduled his family to participate in a live nativity, just to have them together for one night without distractions to focus on Christ and remind everyone else to focus on Him, too. But it’s tough! His wife Susan is desperate to finish shopping, daughter Jen can’t be disconnected from her friends, and Grandpa wants to voice his strong opinions! When son Kenny, er, make that Kenneth now, arrives straight from college with a whole lot of religious doubt he never had before, the family is shocked. Unfortunatel...

28 pages

Flexible cast of 23 (Approx. 8 m, 9 w, 2 flexible, 4 children, extras)

The church's Christmas play rehearsal is a disaster. The actors haven't had time to learn their lines and they're tripping and falling over each other. During a much needed break, Wendy, a busy lady playing Mary, complains to the new janitor, an old man, that she feels in all the holiday hustle and bustle she has lost God. He urges Wendy to pray. She does, and with a renewed sense of hope and vigor, calls the rest of the cast back on stage. But a mishap occurs and the janitor is knocked down. As he rises, we see the nail-hole scars in the palms of his hands. ...

32 pages

1 adult female, 2 flexible adults, plus 3 male teens, 7 female teens

Students in Mrs. Smith's class have forgotten, or never knew, the true meaning of Christmas. From Santa to expensive presents to boyfriends, their explanations of what Christmas means to them are generally selfish and shallow. But that quickly changes when their bus breaks down during a snowstorm and they find themselves seeking shelter in an abandoned church. A homeless man suddenly enters. At first cautious, they soon give him their food, warm coats, shoes and other belongings to comfort him. When he reappears as an angel, he shows them that their generosit...

37 pages

5 m, 6 w, 2 extras.

Crazy, colorful Buster and Martha Smith, an elderly couple, are awaiting the arrival of their children and grandchildren for a traditional Christmas homecoming. They reminisce, in flashback, about the Christmas of 1955 when their youngest son, Ernest, hid "Santa," a man who had just robbed the bank, in their attic. While the robber tells Ernest fantastic stories to keep him believing, Buster tries to find the stolen money to earn the $1,000 reward to provide a good Christmas for his family. Martha must remind him of the real meaning of the holiday. Later the ...

31 pages

3 m, 3 w, 5 flexible

Here is the story of two births which happen on the same night in Bethlehem but turn out to be worlds apart. Simon, a well-to-do man, awaits the birth of his baby, hopefully a son. He has sent his servants on a frantic, last-minute search for a cradle “fit for a king,” but they can only find a manger from a nearby stable. Simon instructs them to return it and find a “real” cradle. The night is interrupted by Joseph and Mary, seeking a place to stay. Preoccupied, Simon callously turns them away. Soon several of his shepherds arrive exhilarated, bearing news of...

38 pages

3 m, 2 w, 1 teen girl, 10-19+ children

With the holiday season approaching, Pastor Jack Taylor finds himself overcommitted, unable to take his own advice about not doing so much this year. When parishioner Beulah takes the pastor’s sermon of slowing down to heart and quits the children’s Christmas pageant, Pastor Taylor jumps on the opportunity to let Pam, an inexperienced teen who loves TV crime shows, be in charge. The Pastor doesn’t have the time to supervise her, so she and the kids create a new Christmas pageant called “Bethlehem CSI.” Now the long-loved Nativity scene is a crime scene! Pam t...

24 pages

3 m, 2 w, 1 boy, 2 girls.

Overworked and over-committed, Jim and Mary McIntyre are frazzled! Their three kids are acting up and they've got a thousand and one things to do at the church for Christmas. Instead of feeling the joy of the season, they're feeling resentment. Enter Mason Angel, a stranger whose car broke down at just the right time and just the right place. Taken in by the kind family, Mason shows them the perfect peace they all seek. He reminds them that serving the church is not the same as serving Christ, the Savior, who died for us. By following their individual calling...

26 pages

4 m, 5 w, 1 child.

Merry Lane is a nursing facility the Brittenham brothers call home. Rufus, the oldest brother, is a grouch who dislikes Christmas time. Edgar, the middle brother, is a kindhearted, soft-spoken man, the peacemaker, and Percy, the youngest brother, is scatterbrained, but has a heart of gold. Despite Rufus' many objections, Percy shares story after story about their childhood. And if that isn't enough to drive Rufus crazy, the members of the Ladies Auxiliary stop in to sing Christmas carols and the young kids visit and "adopt" a grandparent. One little girl touc...

39 pages

5 m, 5 w, 1 flex, 2 boys, optional extras

It’s almost Christmas on Prosperity Lane. The Johnson family can’t get any of their Christmas lights to work, but worse than that, Charles and Elaine, along with their four children, have lost the Christmas Spirit – and they haven’t even noticed! After Mrs. Snodgrass, their outspoken elderly neighbor, points this out, Elaine offers a hasty prayer for help and comes up with a plan to help the children reach out to others during the season. Charles is with Elaine, but of course the kids all put up a fuss. Meanwhile bumbling thieves Rex and Roxie Lewis are makin...

69 pages

4 m, 2 w

It’s Christmas Eve, and the interstate in Virginia has closed due to major snowstorms.  Frank, a brash billionaire businessman, and his secretary Kristine – who’s not the “sharpest bulb on the tree” – are forced to seek shelter in a highway rest area.  They are soon joined by Tom, a hitchhiking wannabe country music singer, and Mary Beth, a young, very pregnant widow.  Of course, Charlie, the rest area janitor, is stuck there even though he just wants to get home to dinner. 

But this ...

27 pages

5 m, 8 w, 1 flexible, 1 boy, 1 girl, extras, doubling possible.

Ebby Neezer hates Christmas so much, she leaves her estate every year on the 24th of December and goes to Bermuda. Her staff and great niece, however, love Christmas and have prayed for years for Ebby. It is their hope that one day she will return to God and celebrate Christmas with them. This year their prayers are answered. On the way to the airport, Ebby's limo breaks down and her chauffeur urges her to wait in a nearby diner while he makes repairs. There, a waitress named Marley brings her some coffee, which is only the beginning of an unusual evening. Th...

64 pages

Lead roles for 7 m, 7 w, 1 boy and 2 girls.

It's December, 1944. W-O-R-D Radio station manager Arthur Kensington hopes a special show will raise the ratings and advertising dollars, but his staff is in disarray. There's a dyslexic sound man, a poetry/drama queen, and a pompous crew of actors, including one who has written a new radio play retelling the Nativity as a hard-boiled detective story. On top of that, everyone's hopes are dashed when an anticipated visit from the famous singing Andrews Sisters turns out to be the not-so-famous Epstein Cousins. Oh, and did we mention the orphans, the rival radi...

33 pages

12 flexible plus extras

It is late December and Mr. Barker has sold all of the trees on his lot except for one - a little Christmas tree. It is a snowy evening, and the lonely little tree listens to Christmas carols that are playing in the distance. All of a sudden, an angel appears. He is a rather gruff, street-wise angel-- an angel that used to grace the tops of Christmas trees at Henthorne's Department Store. But this angel has been thrown out because its wing is broken. To cheer the angel up, the little tree tells the angel about this book she’s been reading: the Bible. She shar...

67 pages

4 m, 7 w, extras

Ever since tragedy befell Grandpa Howard on Christmas Eve 25 years earlier, he makes life miserable for everyone including himself. He won't let Mrs. Howard borrow his car for a fund-raising drive and won't listen to a plea from Mr. Howard and daughter Susan to borrow money for a very important business deal for Susan's boyfriend. Young Larry and the neighborhood pest, Betty, are constantly running afoul of Grandpa's temper. Pathos and fantasy come from Grandpa's dreamy reminiscing over the beautiful girl who was once his wife, and humor arises from the hilar...

28 pages

2 m, 3 w, 2 flexible.

It is the day of Eleanor's annual church Christmas dinner for the poor and she has brought along her new boyfriend, Leo, to meet her grown granddaughter, Jane, for the first time. Jane has also brought along her new boyfriend, Bobby, to meet her grandmother. Unfortunately, they are so busy serving the dinner that the two couples do not get the chance for formal introductions. Through a series of misunderstandings, each person thinks the other is someone else entirely. Eleanor thinks Bobby is one of the homeless people while Bobby thinks Eleanor is a confused ...

61 pages

3 m, 6 w, 1 flexible, 2 girls doubling possible

You ever get a Christmas letter?  You know, one of those notes inserted into a Christmas card tell you way more than you ever wanted to know about the senders?  Karen Brookshire loves writing them. With a boy-crazy daughter, a smarty-pants son and a klutzy husband she has her hands full. So Karen has to write their Christmas letter by herself recalling such events as their daughter's first date, which unfortunately occurred at the same time as two overly-adoring aunts were visiting, and their son's high school graduation where he not only won the embarrassing...

20 pages

9 flexible, 1 female, extras for nativity creche

It’s late at night in a small stable in Bethlehem. The animals have been run out of their warm stable because of some human intruders. As they complain and question the fairness of the whole situation, they meet a stranger in the corral, a small and weary donkey. As the humble donkey talks about his trip and his masters, the animals are joined by a dog who has followed his master down from the hills.  He tells them a wild story about some flying creatures that spoke to them about a “Savior” that had just been born. Next, they are joined by the haughty camels ...

52 pages

9 m, 6 w

Just one year ago, Doc Nash’s Free Health Clinic was facing closure. With a visit from the Undercover Boss, Lou Grant from the Matthew Chapter 25 Foundation approved a grant, thus saving the Clinic. But town councilwoman Beatrice Chandler now wants the Free Clinic closed. Her son will be opening a new medical practice and she doesn’t want any competition. She pays a visit to Doc, hoping to buy him out. When Doc refuses, Mrs. Chandler storms away in anger as she is accustomed to getting what she wants. Then, the unthinkable happens – a fire! It destroys much o...