Is Your Christmas A Compromise?
Drama
Graduation Is Not For Angels
Contemporary Christian Dramas
Object:
Like the rest of the world, Christians often get so caught up in the gift giving and festivities of the holiday season that the true meaning of Christmas is lost. This short drama, especially for youth, portrays the price compromise can have on our thinking and our attitudes toward others in a very real and direct way.
* * *
Setting: A modern teenage bedroom
Characters:
SARA: A typical teenager, vivacious, in love with life, Christian, talks with lots of energy
Costumes: Teenage dress
Props: Clutter of a teenage room, rug to sit on, telephone, fingernail polish, assorted stuffed animals
Scene: Sara is talking on the phone when spotlight appears
* * *
SARA: (Sits cross-legged on rug, phone is propped on one shoulder, fondles stuffed animals) "Hey, Gen, I'm back, and I can tell you, right now, you're going to hate yourself. Lindsey, Claire, and I had an absolutely marvelous time at the mall. I mean a marvelous time! Too bad you had to help your mother set up the Christmas tree. What a bummer. The stores are so packed with Christmas stuff ... Lindsey found the neatest shirt. It's one of those soft velvet ones in that new green color ... It looks great on her too. (Pauses)
You have to ask? Of course, it was a name brand. Lindsey wouldn't wear anything else, you know that. Her mom will probably kill her when she gets home because it was EXPENSIVE but, hey, it's Christmas. So what shall we do tonight? (Pauses)
Oh, man, I forgot about the youth group meeting. (Shouts to mother in other room) "Hey, Mom, do we have any goodies I can take tonight for care packages?" I can't believe I forgot all about packing baskets for shut-ins. (Groans) And I promised Claire I'd go see a movie with her tonight. Now what do I do? (Pauses)
Sure, I suppose we could do it tomorrow night, but if I go to youth group tonight, I'll have to bake cookies or something, and I really want to send out my Christmas cards. Oh, hey, I didn't show you my cards, did I? I got them downtown in that neat little Christmas shop they set up every year. They were leftovers from last year, so I got them real cheap. On the front they say "Merry Xmas." (Pauses)
Yes, Xmas ... not Christmas, and they have a real cool cartoon Santa with all his reindeer underneath ... (Pauses)
Yes, I know, they're not religious, but, hey, it's no big deal. And you've got to admit mangers and wisemen and camels look sort of dorky on cards. Just old people send that kind of stuff. Anyway ... (Pauses as if thinking of something else to say) are you going to go tonight? (Pauses)
All right, I suppose I can call Claire and change my plans. But it's going to be so boring -- packing jelly, and bread, and gumdrops or something stupid like that in wicker baskets and then trudging all over town pasting smiles on our faces like we're just tickled to death. What a crock! I hate it! Give me the mall, the lights, presents. What are you going to put on your Christmas list for your parents? (Pauses)
Really? Just some small stuff? You're going to give money to a child you've adopted overseas? I didn't know you've been doing this. (Pauses) Hey, nice going. (Pauses) Great! Well, guess if I'm going to get some cookies baked for tonight, I'd better get with it. Talk to you later. (Hangs up phone)
(Talks to self, facing audience, with exasperation) I can't believe that girl! Some people are Christianity nuts! Next thing you know, she'll be talking about going to some work camp for underpriviledged kids next summer, while the rest of us hang out and have a good time. I can't believe she had the guts to say (Sarcastically), "But you took the Christ out of Christmas," when I told her my cards said "Merry Xmas." I know the real reason for Christmas! But that doesn't keep me from having fun. Well, better get those cookies baked. Wouldn't want those shut-ins to starve to death at Christmas time. (Mumbling) To think I'm giving up a perfectly wonderful evening to stuff stupid baskets. It's insane, that's what it is, perfectly insane. (Character walks off stage shaking head in disgust)
* * *
Setting: A modern teenage bedroom
Characters:
SARA: A typical teenager, vivacious, in love with life, Christian, talks with lots of energy
Costumes: Teenage dress
Props: Clutter of a teenage room, rug to sit on, telephone, fingernail polish, assorted stuffed animals
Scene: Sara is talking on the phone when spotlight appears
* * *
SARA: (Sits cross-legged on rug, phone is propped on one shoulder, fondles stuffed animals) "Hey, Gen, I'm back, and I can tell you, right now, you're going to hate yourself. Lindsey, Claire, and I had an absolutely marvelous time at the mall. I mean a marvelous time! Too bad you had to help your mother set up the Christmas tree. What a bummer. The stores are so packed with Christmas stuff ... Lindsey found the neatest shirt. It's one of those soft velvet ones in that new green color ... It looks great on her too. (Pauses)
You have to ask? Of course, it was a name brand. Lindsey wouldn't wear anything else, you know that. Her mom will probably kill her when she gets home because it was EXPENSIVE but, hey, it's Christmas. So what shall we do tonight? (Pauses)
Oh, man, I forgot about the youth group meeting. (Shouts to mother in other room) "Hey, Mom, do we have any goodies I can take tonight for care packages?" I can't believe I forgot all about packing baskets for shut-ins. (Groans) And I promised Claire I'd go see a movie with her tonight. Now what do I do? (Pauses)
Sure, I suppose we could do it tomorrow night, but if I go to youth group tonight, I'll have to bake cookies or something, and I really want to send out my Christmas cards. Oh, hey, I didn't show you my cards, did I? I got them downtown in that neat little Christmas shop they set up every year. They were leftovers from last year, so I got them real cheap. On the front they say "Merry Xmas." (Pauses)
Yes, Xmas ... not Christmas, and they have a real cool cartoon Santa with all his reindeer underneath ... (Pauses)
Yes, I know, they're not religious, but, hey, it's no big deal. And you've got to admit mangers and wisemen and camels look sort of dorky on cards. Just old people send that kind of stuff. Anyway ... (Pauses as if thinking of something else to say) are you going to go tonight? (Pauses)
All right, I suppose I can call Claire and change my plans. But it's going to be so boring -- packing jelly, and bread, and gumdrops or something stupid like that in wicker baskets and then trudging all over town pasting smiles on our faces like we're just tickled to death. What a crock! I hate it! Give me the mall, the lights, presents. What are you going to put on your Christmas list for your parents? (Pauses)
Really? Just some small stuff? You're going to give money to a child you've adopted overseas? I didn't know you've been doing this. (Pauses) Hey, nice going. (Pauses) Great! Well, guess if I'm going to get some cookies baked for tonight, I'd better get with it. Talk to you later. (Hangs up phone)
(Talks to self, facing audience, with exasperation) I can't believe that girl! Some people are Christianity nuts! Next thing you know, she'll be talking about going to some work camp for underpriviledged kids next summer, while the rest of us hang out and have a good time. I can't believe she had the guts to say (Sarcastically), "But you took the Christ out of Christmas," when I told her my cards said "Merry Xmas." I know the real reason for Christmas! But that doesn't keep me from having fun. Well, better get those cookies baked. Wouldn't want those shut-ins to starve to death at Christmas time. (Mumbling) To think I'm giving up a perfectly wonderful evening to stuff stupid baskets. It's insane, that's what it is, perfectly insane. (Character walks off stage shaking head in disgust)
