{"product_id":"celebrate-the-promise","title":"Celebrate the Promise","description":"\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eWhat if you could step into Christmas… before anyone even knew it was “Christmas”?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eCelebrate the Promise, written by Kathryn Chopee,\u003c\/strong\u003e follows two kids, Abby and David, who sneak into the Temple looking for the mysterious “Crazy Anna.” Instead, they collide with \u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSimeon\u003c\/strong\u003e, an aging man carrying a holy weight: God promised he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. When the children share a wild-sounding report from their shepherd uncle—angels, singing, Bethlehem—Simeon dares them to go find out if it’s true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eTheir journey leads straight into the wonder of the manger, and back again to the Temple, where \u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eMary and Joseph bring Jesus for dedication\u003c\/strong\u003e. That’s when everything breaks open—promise fulfilled, worship unleashed, and a fuming priest who can’t stand the interruption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eFramed by Simeon’s opening and closing monologues (spoken straight into our “modern” world), this Christmas drama gently but clearly pulls the spotlight off the stress and sparkle—and back onto what Christmas really is: \u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eGod keeping His promise to send a Savior… for all of us.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eAdd the suggested songs between scenes and you’ve got a full, moving Christmas program that feels both heartfelt and stage-friendly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ml-5 min-w-0 list-disc space-y-1 break-words text-[#171717]\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eRun-Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e~60–70 minutes\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003ewith music\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(shorter if you trim\/omit songs)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eCast Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSmall cast of 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(includes\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003e2 children\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003e5 adults\u003c\/strong\u003e, plus\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eBaby Jesus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— often played by a doll)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003ePlus optional choir\/vocal ensemble\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(onstage for opening, then offstage)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e*Note:* Your script also includes a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eClerk, Priest, Innkeeper, and Serving Girl\u003c\/strong\u003e—many churches will\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003edouble-role\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethese to stay at 8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eBiblical Reference:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eLuke 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(esp.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eLuke 2:22–38\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor Simeon \u0026amp; Anna); prophecy nod to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eMicah 5:2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(Bethlehem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"min-w-0 leading-relaxed\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSetting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eJerusalem (Temple)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eBethlehem (stable)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat the time of Jesus’ birth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSample Script\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWritten by Kathryn Chopee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0884\/3241\/0943\/files\/Celebrate-the-Promise-Sample-Script.pdf?v=1775529441\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload Sample Script\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eACT 1 – SIMEON’S OPENING MONOLGUE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(Lights up. Men, women and children singers, in colorful festive attire, carrying brightly wrapped packages, mill around the stage singing “ IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR” or a similar upbeat festive song) .*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*Towards the end of the song the singers casually exit the stage . Lights down. Spotlight on center stage . Enter an elderly man (SIMEON), wearing a full length long- sleeved tunic covered by a woven sleeveless garment typical of a man living in the land of Israel in Bible times. At centre stage he stops, looking out over the audience. )*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSIMEON:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(with a broad smile)* Wasn’t that lovely?... Such a wonderful time of the year!! *(peering out over the audience looking surprised)* Oh dear?! Do I see some of you ladies shaking your heads no? ….It’s not so wonderful??\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eOooohhhh… I get it! You’ve spent weeks shopping for just the right presents for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker!! You’ve spent hours in the kitchen baking your family’s favorite treats; evenings writing letters and cards to friends and family you never see…. planning dinners… entertaining company … Oh my…You poor dears! You’re totally exhausted!!!.. I bet you’re thinking that it’s not a very wonderful time of the year…. and where on earth is this Christmas spirit that you’re supposed to be full of? *(Pacing, shaking his head)* Oy vay!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eWell…it might interest you to know that in my day…. which was a very, very long time ago, there was no such thing as ‘having the Christmas spirit’! In fact… it may come as a surprise to you…. there was no such thing as Christmas!!! Can you believe it?.... NO SUCH THING AS CHRISTMAS!!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eNo stockings hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would there!.... No Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!..... No gentle Jesus meek and mild lying in a manger! Truly! There was NO SUCH THING AS CHRISTMAS!!! Jesus Christ had not yet been born so there was nothing to celebrate!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eDid you know that what you people call Christmas is simply the celebration of the birth of the Christ child… the Son of God…. the Savoir of the world… the Messiah we Jews had been eagerly awaiting for hundreds and hundreds of years!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eI’m sure you know that what you call the Old Testament is in fact the only Bible we Jews have to this day and it contains many prophecies of how God would send a Messiah to save the Jewish people – and to save you Gentiles too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eAnd you know, when I was just a wee lad , God promised me that I would not die until this Messiah had been born and I had seen Him with my very own eyes!.... Now if you’ve ever received a promise from God, you’ll understand how excited I was! I was going to see the promised Messiah come in my lifetime! Of course people laughed at me and ridiculed me! ….Who was I that God should promise me such a thing?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eAs the years passed, I asked myself that question many times and I always came up with the same answer- I was nobody… but God… He was somebody! He was mighty!…. He was majestic!… He was mysterious…. and for some strange reason He loved to work out His plans for mankind through poor insignificant people just like me!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eOh I could go on and on… My dear wife always said I was a talker!. But enough talking! I want to show you something that may help you have a better appreciation for this celebration you call Christmas. So if you’ll just humour an old man and close your eyes we’ll take a journey back in time, back to the land of Israel some 2000 years ago…..*(looking out over the audience)* Are you ready?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(Lights down, wisps of cloudy roll across the stage as SIMEON exits. OFF STAGE a choir or vocal ensemble sings ‘ COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS’ (or carol of choice) while stage is being set. 2 or 3 very tall pillars to represent the temple as well as several benches are placed on stage )*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003eACT 2- MISCHIEF IN THE TEMPLE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Scene opens- the setting is inside the temple in Jerusalem in 5BC. Stage is dimly lit. A soft spotlight focuses on an older woman (ANNA) who is kneeling by a bench in front of the stage, praying. Then spotlight shifts across the stage where two children (DAVID and ABBY) slowly and cautiously creep onstage(stage right) They stop and hide behind a tall plant. The girl giggles..)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shhh!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(whispers loudly)* Sorry….. it’s spooky in here\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(continues whispering)* Spooky? They why’d you laugh?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well it’s better than crying!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(groans)* Girls are so dumb!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(shrieks)* What!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(clamping a hand over ABBY’S mouth)* Hush up! D’you want us thrown out of here?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(yanks his hand away and whispers loudly)* Sorry!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(pointing to ANNA)* Look…. there she is!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wow… she looks kind of scary!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(Enter SIMEON towards the back of the temple, carrying a large candle or torch)*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(pointing to SIMEON)* Hush!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(SIMEON moves across the back of the temple lighting wall sconces as he goes. Lights go up on stage. SIMEON exits stage right)*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(in a loud whisper)* Okay we’ve seen her now let’s get out of here! They’ll skin us alive if they catch us!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(The children frantically turn and run right into SIMEON who comes up behind them. SIMEON grabs their tunics)*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSIMEON:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well, well, well! What do we have here?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e*(The children silently struggle to break free)*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSIMEON:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(menacingly)* I’d suggest you state your name and your business immediately if you know what’s good for you!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e(DAVID gestures to ABBY to be quiet)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eSIMEON:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(with a loud sigh)* Very well, you leave me no choice but to take you to the temple guards. I’m sure you know what they do to intruders, don’t you?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"font-semibold text-[#171717]\"\u003eDAVID and ABBY:\u003c\/strong\u003e *(shriek in unison)* The temple guards!!!?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"min-w-0 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words leading-relaxed text-[#171717]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0884\/3241\/0943\/files\/Celebrate-the-Promise-Sample-Script.pdf?v=1775529441\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload Sample Script\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWant to see how the story unfolds? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eGet the complete script and bring this powerful moment to your stage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DramaShare","offers":[{"title":"60 \/ 8 \/ Christmas","offer_id":52703065932095,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0884\/3241\/0943\/files\/twokids.jpg?v=1775529223","url":"https:\/\/dramashareministries.com\/products\/celebrate-the-promise","provider":"DramaShare","version":"1.0","type":"link"}