By Terri Lee
As Jeffery is walking down the street, delivering mail to houses on Christmas Eve and whistling Frosty the Snowman, he bumps into a few kids going to church. A 25-30 min. Christmas play that has adapted familiar secular Christmas songs and incorporated them into a Christian Christmas musical. Since most of the tunes are familiar, it is easy to learn.
Jeffery the Mailman
Grace (can be changed to male part)
Hope (can be changed to male part)
Child 1
Child 2
Pastor
Children's choir
Scene One
GRACE: Jeffery! Hey, Jeffery!
Jeffery: Hey, kids. Where you going in such a hurry?
HOPE: We're going to the Christmas Eve Service at Church. It's going to be great this year… singing, candlelight, and the best part of all…. THE CHRISTMAS STORY!
GRACE: Yeah, this is going to be the best Christmas service ever. You should come this year, Jeffery.
Jeffery: I don't know, kids. I really don't know about all that religious stuff. It's too difficult to understand. Besides, I don't need it, I'll learn all about heaven when I get there.
GRACE: Please Jeffery! We ask you every year, and every year you turn us down.
HOPE: Last year you told us you would come this year.
GRACE: Come with us… You love Christmas music! And everybody knows Christmas music is the best music, And there will be lots of Christmas music tonight. Please….
HOPE: Pretty please…
GRACE: Pretty please with sugar on top…
HOPE: Pretty please with sugar, and a cherry on top.
GRACE: Pretty please with …
Jeffery: (Laughs) You really want me to go that badly? (KIDS nod) Oh, all right… I do like Christmas music… I'll come this year. But promise me that next year you won't bother me about it. Deal?
GRACE and HOPE: DEAL!
GRACE: Yea! Jeffery, we know you'll just love it!
HOPE: Yeah and you'll want to come again and again! Come on, Let's go or we'll be late!
Jeffery: Ok, Ok, Hold on though, Let me deliver these last two letters… (Puts the letters in the box and leaves a Christmas present and money in the box too. The kids look at him questioningly) The family is having a really tough Christmas… I just wanted to help them out, you know since God hasn't yet.
HOPE: I think that God does have a plan we just don't know all about it yet, but you'll learn all about that sort of thing tonight… Come on! We've gotta go. (They all run off to the church)
Scene Two - At Church
(usher seats Jeffery)
HOPE: Be sure to watch for us Jeffery, we'll be up there singing.
Jeffery: You must be nervous, huh?
GRACE: Well, I was, but mom and dad prayed with us before we left, and I feel lots better now.
Jeffery: You really think it helped?
GRACE: I know it did. I don't feel like I'm going to faint anymore.
HOPE: We just need to keep our focus on God. He'll take care of the rest. Just you watch…
GRACE: Come on, Hope, we have to go get ready. See you in a little bit….
(Jeffery sits back for the service)
BEGIN WITH THE "CONGREGATION" SINGING "HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS"
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
your troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make a joyful day
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.Here we are as in olden days
As we come to praise, our King
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near with us and sing…Through the years we've worshiped him together
All across the earth
We have come to celebrate Jesus' birth
We lift our hearts to celebrate His birth…
(Church song leader welcomes the congregation)
SL: This year our children's choir would like to present to you the story of Christ's birth, in song.
CHRIST WAS BORN TODAY… (Tune: Deck the Halls)
Christ was born today, Hooray!
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
That good news just makes us say…
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
He was born to save from sin
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
All the children, women and men.
Ha la la la la la le lu jah.
Christ was born today, yahoo!
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
That good news is for you, too…
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
He was born to save from sin
Ha la la la la la le lu jah
All the children, women and men.
Ha la la la la la le lu jah.
RING THE BELLS (Tune: Jingle Bells)
Ring the Bells
Ring the Bells
Celebrate His Birth
Jesus has come to us
Let's Celebrate his birthOh, Ring the Bells
Ring the Bells
Christ has come to earth
Jesus has come to us
So Celebrate His Birth!A long long time ago.
In a little manger lay
A brand new baby boy
That had just arrived that dayHe was welcomed by shepherds
And greeted by some kings
And way up in the dark night sky
The angels were heard to singOh, Ring the Bells
Ring the Bells
Celebrate His Birth
Jesus has come to us
Let's Celebrate his birthOh, Ring the Bells
Ring the Bells
Christ has come to earth
Jesus has come to us
So Celebrate His Birth!
Child 1: Reads Luke 2: 8-16
THE ANGELS BROUGHT NEWS OF CHRISTMAS (Tune: We Wish You A Merry Christmas, chorus only)
The angels brought news of Christmas
The angels brought news of Christmas
The angels brought news of Christmas
That the Saviour was near….The shepherds went there to see him
The shepherds went there to see him
The shepherds went there to see him
And they went without fear
He was lying in a manger
He was lying in a manger
He was lying in a manger
That baby so dear!He is the King of kings
He is the King of kings
He is the King of kings
So be of good cheer
So be of good cheer
Child 2: Reads Matthew 2:9-12
THE THREE WISE MEN CAME (Tune: Feliz Navidad)
The three wise men came
The three wise men came
The three wise men came
Because they saw the star in the skyThe three wise men came
The three wise men came
The three wise men came
To bring their gifts to the new kingThey worshiped Him on the first Christmas
They bowed down on the first Christmas
They rejoiced on the first Christmas
And praised with all their heartsSo let us worship Him this Christmas
Now let us bow down to Him this Christmas
So let us rejoice in Him this Christmas
And praise with all our heartsThe three wise men came
The three wise men came
The three wise men came
Because they saw the star in the skyThey worshiped Him on the first Christmas
They bowed down on the first Christmas
They rejoiced on the first Christmas
And praised with all their heartsSo let us worship Him this Christmas
Now let us bow down to Him this Christmas
So let us rejoice in Him this Christmas
And praise with all our hearts
Pastor: Wasn't that beautiful? Let's give a hand to our Children's choir. Now, I have a very simple message for you today… I want to share with you the Christmas story in beautiful verse.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Author Unknown)
'Twas the first night of Christmas a long time ago
The hillside was peaceful, the moon was aglow.
The world couldn't know from what happened before
That men would remember this night evermore.The sheep on the hillside--their days journey over
Were dreaming sweet dreams of a field full of clover.
The shepherds were watchful while guarding their flock
The earth was their pillow, the stars were their clock.Then all of a sudden, they jumped at the sight
Of the sky all ablaze with a heavenly light.
They huddled in fear, then they started to rise
As the lightening-like flash tore open the skies.The heavens were split by the silvery ray.
The dark disappeared and the night became day.
And lo, at the end of the rainbow of light
Appeared then an angel to banish their fright.The angel brought news of a birth in a manger
And bade them to hasten to welcome the stranger.
For Mary had just given birth to a boy
Whose coming would bring so much comfort and joy.A choir of angels looked down from the sky
And heavenly voices were heard from on high:
Peace be on earth and good will to all men.
The Savior has come on this night, Amen.The heavenly angels then faded from sight.
The sky once again turned from day to night.
The shepherds all quietly rose from the ground
And hurried to go where the child would be found.As they reached Bethlehem and the inn was in sight
It led like a path to a soft little bed
And shone very tenderly on a child's head.The child in the manger was sleeping so sound
His eyes were still closed, as the shepherds stood round.
Thousands of years would be warmed by the glow.Guided by light from a bright shining star
Came a pilgrimage led of three kings from afar.They were dressed in the finest of satins and lace.
Their complexions were that of an Orient race.
The three wealthy kings were wise men and proud
But they went to the Christ child and solemnly bowed.They came bearing treasures of incense and gold
To that sweet little child, still not very old.
The star in the sky twinkled down from above
The world was awakened to kindness and love.The past was forgotten, the future was bright
And the spirit of Christmas was born on that night.
Pastor: Jesus came to earth for all men and women. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. That special verse is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 3 verse 16. All you have to do is believe and ask for forgiveness. If you are ready, I want you to come forward while we sing this next song…
Children's Choir sings "Christ came for me" (Tune: "O Christmas Tree")
(Jeffery comes forward in tears and prays with the pastor)
CHRIST CAME FOR ME
Christ came for me Christ came for me
His love and Grace unbounding
Christ came for me Christ came for me
His love and Grace unbounding
Born in a lowly manger
He faced both death and danger
Christ came for me Christ came for me
His love and Grace unboundingChrist died for Me Christ died for Me
My sins he came and pardoned
Christ died for Me Christ died for Me
My sins he came and pardoned
He felt such pain and love for me
As He hung upon the tree
Christ died for Me, Christ died for Me
My sins he came and pardonedHe felt such pain and love for me
As He hung upon the tree
Christ died for Me, Christ died for Me
My sins he came and pardoned
(After the song, Jeffery turns to the rest of the congregation)
Jeffery: It's true, It's true… He really does change you. I feel strengthened and renewed. Thank you, Jesus…
(All people on Stage sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (*Only written through day 5)
On the first day of Christmas the Good Lord sent to Us
The little baby JesusOn the first day of Christmas the Good Lord sent to Us
Amazing Grace, because of baby JesusOn the first day of Christmas the Good Lord sent to Us
Undying Love, Amazing Grace, because of baby JesusOn the first day of Christmas the Good Lord sent to Us
Unending Joy, Undying Love, Amazing Grace, because of baby JesusOn the first day of Christmas the Good Lord sent to Us
Eternal Life, Unending Joy, Undying Love, Amazing Grace,
because of the Lord Jesus!
(Jeffery returns to his seat and pastor sits)
SL: Our children's choir would like to end with one special fun Christmas song, that we hope you will all enjoy…
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Church bells are ringing
and everyone's singing
So be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the yearIt's the hap- happiest season of all
Christ has come
To save everyone
The big and the small
It's the hap- happiest season of allThere'll be church ladies baking
With all the men waiting
And pacing around to and fro
And They'll tell the best story
Of Christ in his Glory
That Christmas from so long ago…It's the most wonderful time of the year
Our hearts will be glowing
Our spirits are growing
Our Savior is HERE!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
CHOIR: Merry Christmas, everybody!
(Church service ends, Grace and Hope run up to Jeffery)
GRACE: See, we told you Jeffery! This is the Best Christmas Service ever!
Jeffery: I never knew what I was missing. I'm so thankful that you asked me to come. I am so full of Joy, I'm about to explode! I just want to shout from the mountain tops… I want to tell everyone about Jesus…
HOPE: We know just how you feel, Jeffery… That's why we've been working on you for years now.
Jeffery: Thank you. Thanks for not giving up. Hey, I know just where to begin spreading the "Good News." Come on…
(Jeffery brings the children with him to the house from the beginning. Jeffery writes a note on the present…)
GRACE: (reading the note) Just a little gift to help you through these tough times, and always remember… Jesus loves you and will care for you always.
HOPE: Ha! I told you so.
Jeffery: (looks at Hope strangely) What do you mean?
HOPE: I told you God had a plan to help those people… His plan was named Jeffery. You just didn't know it! (They all laugh together, then…
(HOPE and GRACE begin the first part of "Jeffery the Mailman", Joined by all children and Jeffery after the first verse)
JEFFERY THE MAILMAN (Tune, "Frosty the Snowman")
Jeffery the Mailman
Was a happy jolly soul
With a corn cob pipe and a cherry nose
And two eyes as black as coalJeffery the Mailman
Bound for heaven so they say
A good man though
He didn't know
Jesus was the only wayHe went to church one Christmas morn
To hear some Christmas songs
But what he heard from the pastor's mouth
Convinced him he was wrong!Now Jeffery the Mailman
Said that's when his life began
He believed that Jesus came to earth
And died for the common manThumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
His heart beat fresh and new
Thumpety Thump Thump
Thumpety Thump thump
Don't you want his joy too?
…………………..
Copyright Terri Lee, all rights reserved. This play may be performed without royalty payment, provided no charge is made for entrance to the performance. In return, the author would like to be told of any performance. The author may be contacted at: terriann_1977@hotmail.com