Christmas is Christmas
There is a video on the screen, that shows the landscape of Israel, where Jesus Christ was born. A light melody plays. The announcer says: “In this land, like in many other parts of the world, there are valleys and mountains, rivers and seas, orchards and deserts, birds and animals... But a little bit more than two thousand years ago events of great importance took place there. Jesus Christ was born and it marked the beginning of a new age – the era of Christianity. Those events influenced and continue to influence all human life on the earth”.
Act 1
Scene 1
The screen is taken away and there is a room roughly furnished for that time. The Three Wise Men – Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar – are there. There is a piece of the night sky somewhere above.
Balthasar: ...It has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah
Are by no means least
Among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd my people Israel”.
Melchior: Why have you mentioned that?
Caspar: Do you think the Savior will be born soon?
Balthasar: Yes, I do. I think it will be very soon. And we must go to Him and greet Him.
Melchior: I, Melchior, will offer Him gold as my gift. You know that gold is given because it is a symbol of royalty...
Caspar: Frankincense to offer have I, Caspar, and it is always given as a symbol of God
Balthasar: I’m Balthasar and my gift is myrrh. It is a symbol of suffering, as you know.
Melchior: What do you mean, Balthasar? He is the King, the King of Israel.
Caspar: And He is God.
Balthasar: Right He is the Son of God, Who was sent into the world to show people the best way to live – to live with God forever. But He will suffer.
Melchior: How can it be?
Caspar: How can God suffer?
Balthasar: The Son of God will take the punishment for all people’s sins and give his young life for our eternal lives...
Suddenly a star appears in the sky and the melody of the song “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” begins to play softly for a while.
Caspar: Oh, look! A star! A star in the sky in the east. How beautiful it is!
Melchior: The star is unusual. Does it mean that the Savior has come?
Balthasar: I’m sure it is His star. And it means we must start travelling to the place where the Child is and worship Him.
Melchior: But how can we know the way to the Child?
Caspar: The star... It’ll show us the way to the Savior.
Balthasar: Yes, we shall travel by night to follow the star and sleep by day.
Caspar: Then let’s go to worship Him.
The Three Wise Men take their gifts and go on their way. A video on the screen shows camels crossing the desert. A light melody plays.
Scene 2
The screen is taken away and there are the mountains with some shepherds and their sheep that bleat from time to time.
1st shepherd: How cold the nights are.
2nd shepherd: You are right. Winter is extremely severe this year.
3rd shepherd: There is not enough grass for our sheep. What shall we do to keep them?
2nd shepherd: (smells the air) The air smells as if something of great importance has happened (suddenly the shepherds become frightened because of the light at night).
3rd shepherd: What’s that...?
1st shepherd: What is it?
2nd shepherd: What’s that light?
1st shepherd: It’s filling the sky... (an angel appears)
3rd shepherd: ...An angel...
1st shepherd: ...An angel appears...
Angel: Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people... (the shepherds become calm) Today in the city of David there has been the Savior born to you. He is Christ the Lord.
2nd shepherd: How can we find Him?
Angel: This will be a sign for you: you’ll find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger... (two little angels appear)
Two little angels: Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men
With whom He is pleased...
Angel: Come and adore Him. (all the angels disappear)
3rd shepherd: It’s a wonder, isn’t it?
1st shepherd: Yes, let’s go straight to Bethlehem.
3rd shepherd: Let’s...
2nd shepherd: ...And see this thing that has happened and which the Lord has made known to us.
The shepherds leave their sheep and go to the stable. A light melody plays.
Scene 3
The back of the stable is in the front part of the stage and the entrance to it is from the back of the stage. Mary, Joseph and the baby in a manger are inside. Two or three angels sing a song “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing”. The shepherds appear near the stable in the back of the stage.
3rd shepherd: (he finds a moment while the angels’ singing to say) It must be here.
 The shepherds enter the stable and kneel before the Child. When the angels stop singing the old man appears from the auditorium in the front of the stage. He is looking for the Baby.
Old Man: Where is the Savior? I can’t find the place where He is. (the angel appears)
Angel: Who are you looking for?
Old Man: The Savior, but I can’t find Him anywhere.
Angel: Let me show you the way. Follow me, please.
They disappear. The Three Wise Men appear near the entrance into the stable. The star is above it.
Melchior: The star is here.
Caspar: It means that the Savior is also here.
Balthasar: (he is the first to notice the entrance) Here is the Child, in the stable. (they all enter the stable and kneel to Mary and Joseph) We have brought the Child our gifts.
Melchior: Gold.
Caspar: ...Frankincense.
Balthasar: And myrrh. (they put their presents near the manger)
Mary: Thank you, kind men...
Caspar: What’s the name of the Holy Child?
Joseph: The angel of the Lord said that we should name him “Jesus” and He would save His people from their sins.
Mary: He also said that Jesus’ kingdom would have no end... (a light melody plays and soon it ends. The angel appears in the front of the stage)
Angel: I hear somebody crying... It seems to be a girl. (the girl appears)
Girl: Oh, poor me! I eagerly desire to bring the Christ Child my gift. But I have nothing to offer. I have been searching the countryside for one little flower to bring Him... (she notices the angel) But I can’t find any because the winter is so cold.
Angel: Don’t worry. There are no flowers that are an offering more perfect for the Christ Child from you, than these pure roses. (He gives her a cluster of white roses that was hidden somewhere)
Girl: It’s a wonder, indeed. Thank you very much. (she takes the roses. The angel takes her hand and they both disappear. Another angel and the old man appear in the entrance into the stable)
Angel: Here is the Savior. (the old man enters the stable and the angel disappears)
Old Man: The Three Wise Men told me that the Savior has been born. But what can I give Him? I am a poor old man... I shall give Him my heart... (he kneels. A light melody plays. The angel and the girl enter the stable. She kneels and puts the flowers near the manger. Soon the melody stops)
Angel: ...And now, go and tell everyone about what you have seen... (two little angels appear in the stable)
1st little angel: ...Tell everyone about Christ the Lord...
2nd little angel: ...Tell and adore Him. (the Three Wise Men, the shepherds, the old man and the girl move towards the spectators through the back of the stable. Mary and Joseph continue taking their positions)
1st shepherd: We’ve seen the Savior...
Balthasar: He has been born in Bethlehem...
Girl: He is so beautiful.
Melchior: Come and see Him...
2nd shepherd: Come and see Him...
Caspar: Come and see Him...
Old Man: ...And let us adore Him.
A song “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” begins to play. All participators of the performance sing it together.
Act 2
 A snow-covered forest. Father Frost (FF) appears on the stage. Santa Claus (SC) comes towards him from the opposite side. A carol plays and soon stops.
FF: Oh, what a beautiful day today is.
SC: You are quite right, my dear colleague. Today is the 25th of December and a lot of people celebrate... Oh, a moment, please. Do you know what people celebrate on this day, Father Frost?
FF: Certainly, I do, but let’s ask our young friends about it.
SC: It’s a good idea, indeed. Do, please.
FF: (appeals to the audience) Dear girls and boys, can you answer Santa’s question and say what people celebrate on the 25th of December?... (The audience: Christmas)
SC: Of course Christmas... Merry Christmas, Father Frost.
FF: Merry Christmas, Santa Claus. Merry Christmas, dear children.
SC: (appeals to the audience) Merry Christmas... But why did the people begin to celebrate Christmas? (The audience: ...because Jesus Christ was born)
SC: Right. A little bit more than 2000 years ago a Baby was born. And His name was Jesus.
FF: A baby’s birth is a special event in most families, but Jesus’ birth had special significance.
SC: And not only to His family but to many other people as well, who heard the announcement of His birth...
An old woman appears in the auditorium.
FF: Oh, who is that old woman passing by and looking very attentively at every child? I don’t know her.
SC: That is Italy’s Santa Claus – Befana. According to the legend she lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The shepherds told her about the new born child, but Befana put off going to visit the Baby Jesus and when at last she went to the stable she was too late. Jesus had gone...
Befana: (passes by the children and appeals to some of them) Are you Jesus? ... Are you the Holy Child? ... Are you the newborn king? (she goes away)
FF: Oh, it seems I know something about Befana. She goes from house to house and leaves presents for the children, as she is afraid to miss the Holy Child again...
SC: Yes, that is so. Befana didn’t see Jesus at all and she doesn’t know what he looks like...
FF: Oh, look! She is coming again.
Befana: (appears in the hall and passes by the children) Are you the new born king? ... Are you Jesus? ... Are you the Holy Child? (disappears)
FF: Santa, like many other children, Jesus, I think, played some games when He was a boy, didn’t He?
SC: It’s a pity people know very little about Jesus’ childhood. But they know for sure that He was a very clever boy and He respected His parents. He loved them and helped them about the house a lot.
FF: Indeed, Jesus was very industrious. But when He had free time I think He might have played such a game as “Passing the ornament”. Would you like to try?
SC: Why not? But please explain it first.
FF: (to Santa and to the children) All the players make a circle. They pass around a small ornament until the music stops. The one who has it at that moment must leave the game. And the last is the winner. Is it clear?... Did you understand, kids?...
SC: ...Well, who wants to try to play the game?
FF: Oh, how many children do. But we need only three persons to try first. Please, come here you...and you...and you. Come here... OK. Now we may start. Are you ready?... Right. Music, please.
The game starts and soon stops.
SC: Stop, please. I think I need some rest.
FF: Me, too. Who wants to play the game instead of us?
SC: Wow... There are a lot of children who want to take part in the game. But it’s a pity; we may invite only two or three children to play. Let it be you...and you...and you... Come here.
FF: It is quite enough. Are you ready? The game begins. A melody, please. (any Christmas music plays, then suddenly stops)
SC: (to a person with the ornament in the hands) We are sorry but you are leaving us. Thank you for taking part. Let’s continue. (music plays again and stops)
FF: (to the loser) Thank you for participation, kind boy (girl). Take your seat, please. The game continues. (music plays and stops)
SC: (to the loser) Excuse us but now it’s your turn to take your seat in the hall. A melody, please. (soon it stops)
FF: (to the loser) Your playing was not bad but... Thanks a lot. You may take your seat in the hall, please.
SC: So, the game is coming to the end. There are two participants left. In some minutes we’ll see who the winner is. And now... a melody, please. (any other music plays and then it stops)
FF: Yes, the game has ended. You both were very brave but this young man (girl) was the best.
SC: (to the loser) Thank you very much, indeed. And take your seat, please.
FF: (to the winner) What’s your name? (Nick) We congratulate Nick. He is the winner and he gets…
SC: ... and he gets a prize, a Christmas ornament from the USA. (Santa gives it to the winner). Best congratulations...
FF: ... and you may take your seat, please (appeals to the audience). Is it fun to play such a game, kids?
SC: If we think of the other games Jesus might have played when He was a boy, we shall certainly be playing them all night. But now we’ll continue speaking about Jesus...
FF: He loved children very much and He used to say: “Permit the children to come to Me. Do not stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these...
SC: ... and whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all...”
FF: Yes, Jesus always had time for children and they loved Him, too.
SC: (to the children) Why do you think, kids, children loved Jesus?...
FF: We’ll show you a part from a film “Jesus” first and then we’ll listen to your explanations. Let’s watch! (a part from the video “Jesus” is shown on the screen)... Yes, who wants to begin?
SC: Who wants to say some words why children loved Jesus? (the children give their explanations)... Yes, according to the Bible, Jesus was very kind, thoughtful and faithful...
FF: I beg your pardon, dear Santa, but Jesus was and is still very kind, thoughtful and faithful...
SC: You are quite right, Father Frost, you are quite right...
Somebody begins to play a guitar. Soon a girl appears on the stage. She doesn’t pay attention to Father Frost and Santa Claus. She sings a song about Jesus.
Girl: (when finished singing) Merry Christmas, dear Father Frost and Santa Claus!
FF: Merry Christmas, pretty girl!
SC: Merry Christmas. Who are you? And what are you doing here?
Girl: My name is Mary and I like Jesus and to sing songs about Him. I sing them to people or when I’m alone. But I never feel alone when I sing about Jesus. He is with me... Now I must apologize because I have to say “Goodbye” and go further.
FF: Goodbye, Mary. 
SC: Goodbye. We shall be glad to see you again.
Mary: Goodbye, kind men. Til we meet again. (she plays the guitar and leaves the stage)
SC: (to FF) You and Mary are both right. As the Son of God Jesus is still alive and He is with each of us even when no one else is.
FF: And I’m sure Jesus is ready to listen to each of us even if other people ignore us. He helps us to do good things and He helps us to stop doing bad things.
SC: Does anybody know what Jesus teaches us to do? (the children give their explanations) Right, He teaches us to be honest and kind, to forgive and to be willing to say you are sorry...
FF: ... He also teaches us to be generous and thoughtful, to honour our fathers and mothers and to treat others the same way we want them to treat us.
SC: And, of course, He teaches us to share things with others and to honour God and worship Him...
Befana: (appears among the children again) Are you the new born king?... Are you Jesus?... Are you the Holy Child?... (then she disappears)
SC: (to the children) And what are the things people mustn’t do?... (they give their explanations)... Right. Jesus taught and teaches people not to lie and not to murder, not to steal and not to cheat. He taught and teaches husbands and wives not to commit adultery and to be faithful or loyal to each other.
FF: And if all the people would live by Jesus’ teachings, our lives can be changed forever. No matter how we have lived before, Jesus offers us His forgiveness and love...
SC: Father Frost, look! A new guest is coming to our party. I don’t know who he is.
Guest: Merry Christmas, Father Frost. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus.
FF: Merry Christmas, kind sir. But who are you?
Guest: Why? Don’t you know who I am? All children know, don’t you? (appeals to the children in the hall). What is my name? (the audience: Pinocchio). Right. I am Pinocchio. And I visited the Holy Land where Jesus had been born and brought the fire to let the children light the candles on their Christmas trees. (he shows a lantern)
SC: Oh, it’s really interesting. We are just speaking about Jesus with the children and we played with them the game He might have played.
Pinocchio: It’s a wonder. I’ve got a video with a dance Jesus might have taken part in.
FF: Really? It’s great! Can we watch it?
Pinocchio: Certainly, we can. Take it, please. (he gives a video cassette to FF who puts it into a video projector that demonstrates the film on the screen. Both actors and the audience watch it. When it is over he appeals to FF and SC) Would you like to try the dance? We can invite the children from the audience.
SC: Why not?... (to the children) Those who wish to dance may join us... (the same video is shown; the volunteers take part in dancing)
FF: (when dancing is over) Thank you all. Thank you, dear Pinocchio, and very much, too. Now we have come to know the game and the dance Jesus might have played and performed. But...
SC: ...But excuse me, please, for interrupting you, Father Frost. People respected and believed Jesus not for taking part in games and dances. Do you know, kids, why they believed Him? (the children give their explanations)... You are perfectly right. He had power over the wind and the waves.
Pinocchio: Does it mean that He could stop the wind and the waves?
FF: Yes, it does. Let’s watch a video about it. (a part of the video “Jesus” is shown and when it ends he appeals to the children) Do you know other miracles Jesus performed? (the children name some) Yes. The blind were given sight and the invalids were able to walk.
SC: He could bring people who had died back to life.
FF: He could provide food for people and feed thousands of them with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Pinocchio: It’s a wonder.
SC: Yes, it is so... And neither I nor Father Frost can do miracles of any kind as Jesus did. Nevertheless, we, like Jesus, like to share everything we have with other people...
FF: ...And we ask everybody to behave in the same way. We, Santa Claus and I, want to offer you, our young friends, something sweet. Would you like to try it?
SC: Chupa Chups! (or any other sweet thing)
The angels bring sweets and share them among the children.
Pinocchio: Oh, it seems to be very tasty. May I help myself and take one?
SC: Do, please, (after sharing) I want you to see how Jesus worked His miracle with five loaves of bread and two fish (a part of the video “Jesus” is shown).
FF: All of Jesus’ miracles prove that He is the Son of God who came to earth in human form.
SC: If Father Frost and I bring you presents, Jesus brings you something much more important. He brings you the opportunity for eternal life.
FF: You may ask how we know it... Jesus predicted His own death by execution on a wooden cross. And He predicted His resurrection over death three days later.
SC: No one else has ever risen from the dead and stayed alive forever. He guarantees it to everyone who believes Him.
The song “A Guaranteed Yes” begins to play and both the actors and the audience sing it. The volunteers may dance.
The actors: (to the audience when the music is over) Merry Christmas, dear friends!!! Merry Christmas, dear teachers, girls and boys!!!
The End
By Victor Kershin,
Oryol (Орёл)
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