Simple Complicated Christmas Message

A group of kids get “voluntold” into the church Christmas drama. Cue eye-rolls, bad singing, and surprisingly sharp questions. As they banter their way through shepherd beards and holiday hype, the conversation tilts toward something weightier: if the Christmas story is so simple, why do so many miss it? Between jokes and side-eyes, a little boy blurts the line that lands like a bell—“For me.” The skit turns that phrase into a heartbeat: a simple, complicated message that Jesus came—for each of us.

Cast: 10 could be m or f

• Penny teen
• Susan teen
• Wendy teen
• Donna teen
• Peter teen
• Dean pre-teen
• Patti pre-teen
• Brenda pre-teen
• Darlene pre-teen
• Johnny young boy (5-7)

Bible Reference: Luke 2:30
Set: standard
Sound: wireless mics if possible
Song:

• MP3 file of "Message Of That First Christmas" is provided.

Lighting: standard
SFX: none
Props: none
Costumes: standard leisure clothes
Special Instructions: none
Time: 30

Sample script:

t lights up Donna, Dean and Darlene are sitting on stage, staring at the floor, shaking heads, sighing
The rest of the actors come on stage after a few seconds, Johnny is in a downstage position so he will be seen

Penny: Isn’t this exciting? . . To be part of the church Christmas concert!

Patti: I’m with you Penny, I could hardly wait to get to the church before Mrs. Thompson
handed out all the parts; I simply had to be in this concert! It is like . . heaven . . to get this opportunity!

Johnny: Wooohooo!

Peter: Well, I am glad to be part of the drama as well, I just hope they have a mature part for an older man.

Brenda: But I thought this play was all kids, where are we gonna get an older man?

Peter, annoyed: I was talkin’ about me, Brenda!

Penny: All I know is this is this is about the greatest thing that could ever happen to any of
us!

Johnny: Dynamite!

Donna: You guys don’t get out much do you?

Penny: Well if you didn’t want to be in the Christmas play why did you volunteer?

Donna: I did not volunteer! . . I put my hand up to ask if I could go to the bathroom and Mrs. Thompson went and wrote my name down for a part.

Darlene: My mom volunteered me. . . (phoney smile) . . But I’m so happy to be here! . . . Not!

Wendy: My Dad said, “You gotta be a joiner, Wendy!” . . Now if I could just figure out how
to be an unjoiner!

Penny: Come on guys, it won’t be all that bad, likely.

Brenda: Kinda like pokin’ your finger in your eye . . feels so good when its over.

Patti: Never know, we might find that we have some talent for this kinda thing.

Peter: Oh there’s no doubt I have talent, it’s just do I want to use up my talent in a church
skit.

Donna: Everyone needs a fan Peter, and you are for sure your number one fan.

Darlene: How come we gotta go and have a Christmas skit every Christmas?

Donna: Yeh why can’t it be like leap year, come around every ten years.

Peter: Leap year happens every four years Donna.

Donna: Except when cancelled through lack of interest. . . if you get the connection.

Susan: I really wish you guys wouldn’t be so negative; this could be a ton of fun.

Donna, frowns: Don’t you see the big happy smile on my face?

Dean: Maybe I could tell Mrs. Thompson I got some awful disease and can’t be around
people until after Christmas.

Brenda: What disease you gonna have Dean?

Dean: I dunno, . . maybe rabies.

Peter: I don’t think rabies is contagious unless you bite someone.

Patti: You try bitin’ me I smack you real good Dean Richards!

Donna: Who do you suppose we have to be in this dumb Christmas skit?

Darlene: Likely shepherds again.

Peter: I hate bein’ a shepherd! . . Other guys wearin’ the shepherds beards go and drool all
over the beards and they stink real bad!

Susan: It’s not that bad Peter!

Peter: Not that bad? . . Last Christmas I had to hold my breath the whole time I wore that
sick beard.

Dean: You just might be stretchin’ it a little Peter. . . The skit lasted over an hour . . Likely
you can’t hold your breath that long.

Brenda: Go on and show us how you can hold your breath for an hour Peter . . anything I can
do to help?

Brenda: I hear one more time about wise guys I just might upchuck!

Brenda: I was the centurion in our Easter play . . and I just know this will be even way more
fun.

Darlene: A lotta times a Roman centurion was a man, way I heard it.

Dean: Well this drama thing is silly, mostly, far as I’m concerned.

Wendy: I think I would make an awesome centurion, with my excellent singing voice and all.

everyone stops, tries to focus

Darlene: Whatever, Wendy!

Susan: Personally, I enjoy drama, making a character come alive.

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare Ministries members receive this complete script—and access to our entire library—for free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.