All is well for the Holness family, until the Devil witnesses them having a family picnic…laughing, praying and playing together.

He decides that he will take away their source of joy which is Christmas. He disguises himself as a female family member who has come to spend the holidays and turns this God-fearing family home upside down. 

But God hasn’t abandoned this family at all and he sends Gabriel to counter attack the enemies plans, while teaching this family a valuable lesson they will not soon forget.

Length: 60 Minutes
Cast: 8 males, 5 females Plus a Choral and Dancers.
Audience: Children, Teens & Adults
Genre: Courtroom Drama

Sample Scenes

Scene 1

LUCIFER                  (roughly) Are you two holding out on me?

YOUTH 1                  N-N-No boss…we  would never do that!

LUCIFER                  Then what are you hiding?

YOUTH 1                  We were just discussing our next move. That’s all, boss I swear.

LUCIFER                  Empty those pockets! (looks at the boy on the ground) you too!

(The youth rises from the ground and empties his pockets.  Both boys  produce only coins.)

LUCIFER                  Empty your shoes!

YOUTH 2                  I have athlete’s foot boss. Maybe that’s not such a good idea!

LUCIFER                  You don’t even know what athlete’s foot is. Take off those shoes.

(Both boys take off shoes, revealing a wad of bills. Lucifer takes the money and stares at it, then stares at the two boys.  Their fear is evident.)

LUCIFER                  (authoritative)What’s my name! (no response) What’s my name?

YOUTHS                   (fearfully) Lucifer.

LUCIFER                  You really think you can lie to the inventor of lies!

YOUTH 1                  It w-was his idea! (pointing to next youth.)

LUCIFER                  It was your idea! And you both will perish for this if you don’t
get a hundred thousand dollars to me by midnight!

YOUTH 2                  B-but that’s not possible, boss! We can’t possibly rob so many buses!

YOUTH 1                  Or pick so many pockets!

LUCIFER                  Then step up your game. You forget this is Christmas time! People pocket heavy at Christmas time!

YOUTH 2                  But…

LUCIFER                  JUST DO IT!

(Boys exit. Lucifer approaches the shopkeeper.  He watches her before saying anything.)

LUCIFER                  It’s that time of year when you’re sure to make a profit eeh.

SHOPKEEPER        Definitely!

LUCIFER                  Everybody shopping for friends and family!

SHOPKEEPER        Isn’t that fantastic! Why couldn’t Christmas come twice a year?

LUCIFER                  I see what you mean.  But why do you have the Christ in Christmas?

SHOPKEEPER        What do you mean?

LUCIFER                  The sign says Merry Christmas.  The Christ isn’t relevant there. 
Everyone now is using Xmas.

SHOPKEEPER        Xmas.  That’s not  a bad idea. Merry Xmas!  I like it. It’s just short
And sweet.

(The Shop keeper takes down the Merry Christmas sign and uses a Marker and crosses out the Christ in Christmas and replaces it with an ‘X’.  She puts back the sign.  It now reads Merry Xmas! Lucifer laughs and walks to stage centre.  He begins a steady chant, sounds like a mixture of dub poetry &  rap.)

LUCIFER                  I just love me!
I am the master of deception,
The master of disguises,
I can make people sin just like that!
I can make hearts unhappy,
I can make minds go shabby,
I can bring you down to nothing
in a flash!
I’m your thoughts, I’m your nightmare, I’m
Your sickness, I’m your heartache.  I will steal
Your dreams and make them all crash!
Look at me!…I’m depression, oppression and
Regression.  It’s my aim to win lost souls
And make them hatch!
Into creatures, into beings, into things that
are unseen, into darkness, into death
Oh What a scam!
No laughter, no peace, no joy
this is so sweet!
Christmas will be gone for evermore!
That’s my mission, that’s my call
That’s all I’m living for!
That Christmas be destroyed here on earth!

(Lucifer laughs and  returns to talk to the shopkeeper.  A few seconds later, the Holness family walks on stage: George and Jennifer Holness and their children, Anne and Dwayne.)

ANNE                                    (sings)God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! Let  Nothing ye dismay.
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day!
To save us all from Satan’s Power when we were gone astray
Oh Tidings of comfort & Joy…..

JENNIFER                This looks like the perfect spot.  Let’s spread the sheets here
honey.

(Goerge and his son spread a large sheet on the ground and place a picnic basket in the centre of it.  Dwayne throws himself to the ground).

DWAYNE                 Time to eat at last!

(Everyone sits.)

GEORGE                  We have to get the spiritual food first before we partake in the
physical my boy!

DWAYNE                 Couldn’t we do them both at the same time? I’m starving!

GEORGE                  No. (He opens his Bible) The lesson today is taken from John 3:16
For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son
that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal
Life.  For GOD did not send his son into the world to condemn
the world but to be it’s saviour.

ANNE                                    I just love Christmas time!

DWAYNE                 You only like the presents you get!

ANNE                                    No! I love the Carols, I love going to church, I love how everyone
is kind and happy and…

JENNIFER                Don’t forget the most important thing kids.  It’s the birthday of
our LORD and Saviour.  If he didn’t come, there would be no Christmas.

DWAYNE                 (thoughtfully) Yeah…that’s true.  Imagine no Christmas.

ANNE                                    Nobody would be happy.

DWAYNE                 That’s for sure.  Who could be happy without Christmas cake and sorrel?

ANNE                        We wouldn’t be able to share Christmas day with Mama  and Aunt Irma..

DWAYNE                 …And Uncle Gus, Uncle Frank, Eddy

ANNE                                    And what about the party we throw for the old people at the home.
They always look forward to it!

GEORGE                  Yes this is truly an awesome time of the year! Everyone really tries
to be a blessing to somebody else.

JENNIFER                That’s an example set by Jesus. 

DWAYNE                 I guess Christmas means nothing without Christ.

GEORGE                  I couldn’t put it any better myself .  Let’s pray, Eternal
Father, we worship you not for the things you do for us,
but for who you are.  Thanks for sharing
your gift of love.  You are our teacher, comforter
and faithful friend.  Forgive us of our sins and protect our
minds and hearts from evil.  Continue to lead us as a family.
We ask all these things in Jesus’s name.  Amen.

(Everyone echo Amen.  By this time Lucifer is at stage front.  His eyes are fixated on this family.)

ANNE                                    (Screams) Ants!  Oooh! An ant bit me!

JENNIFER                ( getting up, brushing off clothes) There are so many of them!

GEORGE                  We’re going to have to find another spot.

DWAYNE                 Let’s go over there!

(All agree.  They collect their possessions and exit.  Youth 1 & 2 enters.)

YOUTH 1                  The Police are everywhere. 

LUCIFER                  Silence!…Was that for real or was I watching a Movie?

YOUTH 2                  Whatcha talking bout boss?

LUCIFER                  A family going on a picnic, here, in the year 2006?

YOUTH 1                  Where? I don’t see nobody.

LUCIFER                  I only see those things on TV, but wait, I seem to be losing my touch.

YOUTH 2                  Why you say that boss?

LUCIFER                  Because this family is actually praying and playing together.  They really look… happy!

YOUTH 1                  Where are they (quietly) Maybe I should join them.

LUCIFER                  They’re a spectacle!  All that mush mush makes me sick!

YOUTH 2                  What’s the plan boss?

LUCIFER                  (pause)Destroy their belief in Christmas.  If I can wreck a family as solid as that one, I can do anything!

YOUTH 1                  Y-yes boss, family is the key to everyting, you mash up family
and you control the world.

LUCIFER                  You know something, you’re not as dumb as I thought.  (pause) This family can say good-bye to Christmas.  I’m gonna destroy this thing once and for all and I know just the perfect disguise to make it happen!

Lights Out!!

The play, Saving Christmas, was a big hit. We performed it on the 23rd of December to a packed house. This was the first time I attempted to do a five act play. We had a lot of practice time and we are still getting great reviews from the people who came to see it. I plan to order another play for Easter in the upcoming weeks. I have always wanted to form a drama ministry at our church. Your play has helped to make this a reality.
 

Laura Collins

     I'm a Minister at a church in Syracuse, NY.  I was first introduced to your play by one of our members , the play was "Saving Christmas."  I must tell you we did a Christmas production and it was loved by all. What I really enjoy was the characters in the play were "comfortable" characters to play, because we could actually relate to them.  I also  appreciate the fact that its not the same old mundane Christmas plays but let me say it goes beyond that and truly ministers to the people. Your plays are amazing I pray you stay fervent.  Its a much needed ministry.

Minister Kelsie Harris