Optional Narrative and Drama Scripts - Pine Lake Music

The Hope of Christmas
Created by Phil Barfoot
Arranged by Dave Williamson
Optional Narrative and Dramatic Scripts
by John Plastow
Narrative Script Pages 1-6
Dramatic Script Pages 7-31
You may make as many copies as you need for your cast.
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The Hope of Christmas
Share the Light
Narrative Script
Created by Phil Barfoot
Arranged by Dave Williamson
Narra=ons by John R. Plastow
SONG: Celebra-on!
Narrator 1 Christmas! The most widely celebrated holiday in the world has come again, and
we are here to celebrate! Not only are we enjoying the wonderful tradi

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Jesus was born in a humble stable, but a grand celebra

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Both
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Just imagine the excitement she felt as she witnessed the heavenly hosts praising God
above the humble stable in which Jesus lay.
Imagine the scene as the shepherds came face to face with the angels, who were saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
Imagine the wonder.
Imagine the emo

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In the beauty of that moment when Jesus was born, was it possible for Mary, or anyone,
to comprehend the extent of God’s love for mankind Why would the God of the
universe and the Creator of all things send His Son to become the sacrifice for sin This
is a ques

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On the night of Jesus’ birth, not all the people of Bethlehem recognized what had
happened. They did not all understand that Jesus’ arrival was the fulfillment of
centuries of prophecies in which God promised that He would provide a way for us to be
in communion with Him.
And since that holy night, not everyone has accepted the great and mysterious giU given
to mankind in the form of Jesus Christ. Many have, but many have rejected this giU of
eternal life. They have refused to see that Jesus is the Son of the Most High, the Blessed
Redeemer, and the long-­‐awaited Messiah, Savior of the World.
Yet, on this night there is s

The Hope of Christmas
Share the Light
Dramatic Script
Created by Phil Barfoot
Arranged by Dave Williamson
Drama Script by John R. Plastow
This contemporary script takes place in Central Park in New York City and is filled with realis

New York City, on the edge of Central Park. On stage right is a typical New York City newsstand,
with a sign reading “Charlie’s Newsstand” prominently displayed. There are park benches
nearby where people can sit, read and relax. The center stage area is open, with trees scabered
upstage. Stage leU reveals the exterior of the Park Bible Church. The church is raised, with
several steps leading up to its doors. A double door (or archway) leads into the church.
COSTUMES:
Costumes for this program are easy! All characters should be dressed appropriately for a winter
in New York. During the tradi

spends all of her

The Hope of Christmas
OPENING SONG:
“Celebra-on!”
Scene One
(The first scene takes place three days before Christmas in the late aUernoon. As it opens,
Charlie is straightening up the stand, pulng things away, and taking a customer’s payment for a
paper. Benjamin enters, goes to the stand, and browses. Gwen also enters, chooses a
magazine and leafs through it. In the background are people passing by, going about their day.
Also seen is the teen, tex

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Yeah, yeah, I admit it—you’re my best customer.
Here, I want this one, too. (She hands him the book.)
Just giving you a hard

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(Holding each up in turn) This one’ll tell you you’re broke, and this one’ll tell you, “Who
cares The world is going in the toilet anyway.”
Ah, come on, Charlie, it’s not that bad, is it
Every day I read the headlines of a dozen papers and such, and it’s all bad. (Have Charlie
recite several prominent current headlines here.) You can read for hours and never find
any reason to have any hope in this world, or even in the human race.
Yeah, maybe you’re right; the hope stock has been in a steady decline. But I’m s

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You buy a paper every day and you don’t look at the date
I just know when the market closes, okay
Doesn’t your iPhone, Droid or Blackberry tell you the date
Yeah, all three do.
Today is the twenty-­‐second. Christmas is in three days.
Whoa. I guess I’d beber send something to Mom, don’t you think
(Thinking about his children) Yeah. Take it from a lonely old parent—I know it would
mean a lot to her.
(Realizing what Charlie really just said) Yeah, I’ll make sure I do. (Looking over at the
crowd in front of the church) Hey, what’s all the commo

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(Laughing) But isn’t that what the song says… “Joy to the World”
That’s not the joy I think the song is talking about!
SONG:
“All Glory”
Scene Two
(This scene takes place later on the same day. As it begins, Charlie, Benjamin and assorted
other customers are at the stand. Gwen is on her bench and Fran is onstage among the people.
The choir is in forma

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(Not looking up from her book) Hello.
How are you today
G Just fine.
(There is a slight uncomfortable pause.)
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Nice talking to you, Gwen.
The same.
(The pastor sighs and goes over to Charlie. Benjamin inconspicuously listens to his conversa

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This year’s different. We’re moving it outside this year…into the park. We’re gonna do it
right over there (poin

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Reverend Call me Tom.
Good aUernoon, Reverend.
On Christmas Eve, we’re doing our annual program at 5:30. Why don’t you come
Charlie, here, is even helping us promote it.
(Benjamin looks over at Charlie, who kind of shakes his head.)
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We’ll see. I’ll probably be taking care of business.
Me, too.
Huh
Me, too. That’s what I’ll be doing, too—taking care of business.
Sure, Reverend. I mean I’ll be working, doing my part to keep this city going.
Me, too. (Pause) Suit yourself, but you’ll be missing out.
I’ll get over it.
I sure hope not, Ben.
(Ben just shakes his head.)
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(To Charlie) Well, Charlie, thanks for your help. I’ve got to get back to rehearsal.
Sure, sure.
(The pastor goes back to the front of the church, where the choir is reassembling.)
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(To Benjamin) You know, you could be a lible more pleasant to him. He’s not so bad.
Never give an inch when you don’t have to, I always say. If I encourage him, the next
thing you know, he’ll be aUer my wallet.
S

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Nah, this’ll do it. (No

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How could I forget You remind me every ten minutes!
Just trying to take care of you, Charlie.
I can take care of myself, thank you.
(There is a slight pause.)
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(Looking toward the teen) Hey, Charlie, about that kid that’s been hanging around here
lately…
(Nodding towards the teen, who is silng on the church steps, tex

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Where are you staying
You ask a lot of ques

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(Irritated, he stops tex

P (Unfazed) Tomorrow at 5:30.
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Good. It’s nice to know when we can hope again.
Actually, it started 2000 years ago, and it’s s

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(Irritatedly) What’s with you Look around you. There’s nothing for most of the people
out here.
I don’t agree.
There’s nothing you have to offer—
(Interrup

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That’s the whole point.
Whatever you say. I goba go. Nice talking with you. See you tomorrow, Charlie.
(Benjamin exits, and the pastor stops and thinks for a moment.)
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The hope is in the baby. The baby born in Bethlehem.
(Pause)
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You okay
(Frustrated) Yeah.
Don’t let him bug you. He and I argue all the

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You don’t know about this.
And what is that
That Jesus was born, and He came to give us hope for the future…that through Him, we
can really live.
I know all about Chris

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Yes. The message that it contains is far more important—
(Interrup

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Hope. It’s the feeling we have when we actually believe that what we desire is going to
happen. Christmas represents that for all of us: the hope of peace on earth, the hope of
comfort and joy.
The hope that there is a God in heaven who loves us, and with whom we can have a
rela

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Imagine the glory.
And imagine the light.
Imagine how that sleepy lible town of Bethlehem became a celes

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Together, let us offer our praise to the One who is our Hope, who is our Peace, and who
is our Joy!
N1/2 Yes! Christ is born.
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The hope of Christmas is fulfilled for those who choose to trust in Him and believe that
He is the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. This Christmas, we express our
praise and sing our joy! With thanksgiving we shout hallelujah to Jesus, the Hope and
Light of Christmas!
SONG:
“Hallelujah!”
Scene Five
(This scene takes place on Christmas Eve aUer the presenta

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All right, then, where do we go from here What does your story have to do with
anything What will it do for anybody today (Mo

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No. Not for me.
(Benjamin throws his hands up in disbelief and exits as the pastor stands and sadly watches him
walk away. The pastor then watches Fran, Gwen, and the teen all exit, unconvinced, then sees
Charlie cross to the manger and look at the baby. He approaches Charlie.)
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Charlie
I think I’d like to hear more about this baby. I’d like to know more about this hope you’re
talking about.
Let’s go inside where it’s warmer, and I’ll make you a cup of coffee. (They begin to exit.)
Shouldn’t you close up the stand
Nah. Let ‘em take whatever they want…it’s Christmas!
(They exit into the church as the lights dim and the music begins.)
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On the night of Jesus’ birth, not all the people of Bethlehem recognized what had
happened. They did not all understand that Jesus’ arrival was the fulfillment of
centuries of prophecies in which God promised that He would provide a way for us to be
in communion with Him.
And since that holy night, not everyone has accepted the great and mysterious giU given
to mankind in the form of Jesus Christ. Some have, but many have turned away. They
have refused to see that Jesus is the Son of the Most High, the Blessed Redeemer, and
the long-­‐awaited Messiah, Savior of the World.
Yet, on this night there is s