Parum Christmas

What do we really have to offer the King? Sometimes, it feels like not much. But in Pa-rum Christmas©, a group of modern kids discovers that even the smallest gift — a drumbeat, a kind word, a willing heart — can honor Jesus at Christmas.

This heartwarming, humorous 3-act Christmas program follows the Bond family and their friends as they prepare for the school Christmas concert. With clashing ideas, sibling squabbles, and a few life lessons along the way, they come to realize that everyone has something special to give back to God.

The program ends with a moving nativity scene and a simple yet powerful rendition of Little Drummer Boy, making this a perfect choice for churches, schools, and family Christmas events.

Cast: 8

• Mrs. Bond, middle age mom
• Molly Bond, teen or pre-teen
• Simon Bond, the teenager “nerd”
• Reggie Bond, young child
• Betty Bond, young child
• Tony, same age as Molly
• Jana, same age as Jana
• extras for nativity scene if available/desired

Bible Reference:  Luke 2
Set:

• uses a split stage with one side being the Bond home and the other being the school music room
• set pieces may be as substantial or sparse as desired/available

Sound:  wireless mics
Song:

• if Molly has basic ability she will play “Little Drummer Boy” on drums, but if not a pre-taped sound file can be played. Note there are many locations on the web where sound files can be found, example:http://www.night.net/christmas/little-drummer-boy.html

Lighting:

• Spotlights which will allow switching attention to the relevant side of stage
• A blue gel for the nativity scene would be appropriate

SFX:
Props:  drums”geeky” glasses and pocket protector for Simon
Costumes:

• regular leisure/school clothing for all
• for nativity scene you may use traditional costumes however a very interesting representation could be done where each actor, as they move to the nativity scene picks up a symbolic costume item/prop, such as shepherds crook, crown, shawl, etc.

Time: 25

Sample Script:

Scene I - School

[Molly, Jana, and Tony are discussing music for the school Christmas program]

JANA: OK guys, listen up. Mrs. Thompson asked us to come up with ideas for the music for our school Christmas party. We were supposed to have this done like a month ago, so let’s get at it.

MOLLY: Mrs. Thompson is the teacher; she gets paid to make decisions like these. How come we have to always come up with the ideas?

TONY: Because every year when she makes decisions for us, people like you always get annoyed about the music that is chosen.

MOLLY: Oh, sure Tony! Like here we are, sitting here in the twenty-first century, and we are supposed to be playing songs from, like, the sixteen hundreds!

JANA: You just want to let loose on those new drums your mom got you, that’s all.

MOLLY: Look Jana, we need something with a beat! Something with emotion. Jazz. Rhythm and blues. Rap. Hip Hop.

TONY: Christmas is all about tradition. There’s not a lot of Hip Hop in Christmas tradition.

MOLLY: And that’s why not many people know anything about Christmas nowadays.

JANA: So let me get this straight, Molly Bond — you are saying that if we play Hip Hop music at the school concert, people will have a better chance of getting the message of Jesus’ birth?

MOLLY: Likely. Maybe. Likely. For sure people will be more interested than with some painful music from the middle ages.

TONY: OK Molly, but we gotta remember there will be old folks here as well. We need to keep it sensible.

MOLLY: Sensible? Tony, are you saying my suggestions for music aren’t sensible?

TONY: To quote a person I know, “likely, maybe, likely!”

MOLLY (angry): Tony Fletcher, you make me soooo angry!

JANA: Look you two, this isn’t getting us anywhere.

MOLLY: No it certainly isn’t. (staring at Tony) And it is obvious who is to blame for that!

JANA: Suggestions for music — come on!

MOLLY: Well, I happened to hear an awesome version of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” done to a reggae beat. And you gotta admit that song goes back hundreds of years. Here, let me show you!

[Molly beats loudly on drums while Jana and Tony look on in shock]

TONY: OK, so do we have another suggestion?

MOLLY: What gives with you, Tony? Try to climb out of the ice age! What exactly do you have against good modern Christmas music?

TONY: Nothing at all. Do you know where we can find some?

JANA: OK you two, cool it! But Tony is right, Molly — I don’t think that kind of music is appropriate for a Christmas concert.

MOLLY: Thanks a lot, Jana! Some kind of friend you turned out to be.

JANA: This is not about friends. This is about putting together a good Christmas program — one that will tell the story properly.

MOLLY: Well, I think we need to come out swinging, loud and proud! After all, it was a wonderful story.

TONY: A wonderful story, of course — but it wasn’t meant to be a bugle marching band type thing.

MOLLY: I give up! How are we supposed to have a decent program with Mr. Behind-the-times shooting down every good idea we come up with?

TONY: Or with Ms. Boom-bash-bang and her outrageous ideas!

MOLLY: Outrageous? Just you watch out whose ideas you are calling outrageous, you . . you . . .

JANA: OK, that’s enough from both of you! Look, let’s go home and meet back here tonight. But no more of this silliness from anyone — understood?

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