Reason for the Season Script
Copyright DramaShare 1995
This drama begins and ends with a reading. The main part of the drama is a series of meetings between the central character and a number of passers-by, all of whom are busy, doing important Christmasy things. All feel that what they are doing is "the reason for the season" of Christmas.
Staging Information
Characters
/ 1 or 2 readers/ Marvin
/ Little Child
/ Bud
/ Ellen
/ Helen
/ Tom
Sound, Lighting, Props and Costumes
No special arrangements required
Script
A Star - Opening Reading
Listen to me, I'll tell you a tale
Of the night God sent me, and I couldn't fail.
I traveled the sky 'til I came to a town
And I floated above and I smiled and shone down.
I sent out my rays and made them shine clear
To tell all the people, "God's Son was born here".
Directly below me, a dark stable loomed.
The shadows were dark, and frowned in the gloom.
When suddenly, light from the stable appeared
And those who looked on were amazed,
But they hoped, and they feared.
From over the hills, some shepherds came near,
And I gave them some light so the path would be clear.
They drew near the stable to see the new child.
When they saw his sweet face, they smiled
Ah, they smiled.
For he was the Savior, Messiah, the Lord.
Then they rose and they left, all in accord.
Then came the Wise Men, the rich from afar.
And I was their leader, their guide,
And their star.
They brought him rich gifts,
And they kneeled, and they prayed.
Later they left-though they wished they had stayed.
And later I left, for my job had been done.
You see, I was the star sent to herald the Son.
Sketch:
Marvin, dressed in cowboy clothes, hat and boots comes on stage, leans against pole. Bud comes along, waves at Marvin.
Marvin:
Hi there Bud, how're ya doin'?
Bud:
Oh, doin' great! It is so excitin', Christmas an' all!
Marvin:
Ya got that right, Bud! Yep, excitin' is what it is! Truly, truly, is!
Bud:
Yep, right on! Listen, Marvin, sorry but I gotta go now. Like I say, Christmas an' all! I got a ton of presents ta git, you know the drill! Presents, the reason for the season, ya know!
Marvin:
Know it, Bud? I should say so, yip. I purely do! Like I always say, presents, that's the reason for the season!
Bud:
The reason for the season! You got it! Gotta rush along now, see, ya!
Marvin:
Presents, well I guess that likely is it, I mean, what else could be the reason for the season?
Ellen walks by, toque and coat on, music book in hand:
Ellen:
Hi Marvin, how ya doin' ole buddy, ole pal!
Marvin:
Ellen! Why I'm jist super great, that's what I am! And what might I ask, are you up to this fine, fine winter evening?
Ellen:
Me? Why I'm going caroling at the senior citizen's home.
Marvin:
Now, ain't that super nice? Super nice, I wuz gonna say! Carolin' down to the senior citizen's home! Nice, nice, nice, nice, nice!
Ellen:
Well, seems to me that we oughta be doin' right things for others at Christmas. After all, doin' right things for others, that's the reason for the season!
Marvin:
Ya gotta know it! Jist like I wuz sayin' to the Missis jist the other day, doin' right things fer others, that's the reason for the season!
Ellen:
Right on Marvin! Look, I'd love to stay and chat, but, you know how it is! Doin' right things for others! Just gotta keep at it!
Marvin:
Doin' the right thin's fer others, well that sure does make sense all right! I guess that truly could be the reason for the season.
Helen walks by, bags of groceries in her arms, a box of cookies fall on the floor just as she gets to Marvin. Marvin picks up cookies, hands them to Helen.
Marvin:
Oops, there we go. I don't think your cookies are none the worse fer the wear, Helen! But where are you off ta, all them groceries an' all? Why I dare say you have most enough ta feed an army, ya do!
Helen:
Oh we are having about seventy-five people from our church over for a party at our house. I've been out buying just a few snacks.
Marvin:
Well now, an' ain't that jist super! A party fer seventy-five of yer church friends. Gettin' tagether with yer friends, ain't that nice!
Helen:
Well, yes, we really look forward to entertaining our church friends. Such good fellowship! I guess I've always thought that fellowship with our friends from the church, it's, well, it's the reason for the season.
Marvin:
Now that I kin see alright, fellowship with friends, yip, that surely is the reason fer the season.
Helen:
Look, why don't you join us for fellowship. Next Friday evening at 7:30. 96 Candlestick Lane, blue house, great big angel mural on the lawn. Can't miss it! See you there!
Marvin:
Yip, see ya, 96 Candlestick, angel mural. Well, I never thought about it before but, maybe opportunities fer fellowship, maybe that's it, reason fer the season. Never know.
Tom walks by, slowly, yawns, stretches
Marvin:
Hey, Tom! Man you surely do look like you bin pulled through a knothole! You look beat, man!
Tom:
You are right about that Marvin! I'm dead on my feet! I've been taking a double load at university this semester, plus I have been working at two jobs just to make ends meet. I can't wait until the Christmas holidays start, then I can veg out for three whole weeks! Man, it will be heaven!
Marvin:
So I guess that you would say that the reason fer the season is . . .
Tom:
Getting a much needed break, that's the reason for the season, right there! Person can only take so much, you know. Need a break, or you'll . . . . , well you just gotta get a change, that's all!
Marvin:
Well, I can sure see yer point, gittin' a break is mighty important! I didn't realize that it wuz the reason fer the season, but I kin see it's real important! Maybe yer right, maybe it is the reason fer the season.
Tom:
You just know it, Marvin! Sorry, but I have to get moving. I'm so tired that it's shove off or snooze. (yawns) See ya around Marvin.
Marvin:
What's that, er, yeh, see ya Tom.
Young child comes on stage, stands back, watches, listens as Marvin talks out his thoughts.
Marvin:
Ya know, I'm gittin real confused here! All these things: gittin' a break, presents, fellowship with friends, doin' the right thin's fer others, all these are good thin's. But kin this be the works?
Little child walks up to Marvin, pulls on his pant leg, says:
Mister! Mister!
Marvin:
Oh, hi little kid. Look, I'm kinda busy right now. Don't bother me right now, OK? Like I wuz sayin', are these thin's the whole reason fer the season? Is that why Christmas wuz invented? I mean, doesn't there have to be a more important reason fer the season of Christmas?
Little child:
Mister! Jesus is born.
Marvin:
What's that, who's born?
Little child:
Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the season. The only reason.
Marvin:
Jesus? The reason fer the season? You sure?
Little child:
Yup!
Marvin:
Not presents?
Little child:
The birth of Jesus.
Marvin:
You seem perty sure! Nah, maybe doin' right things fer others, . . . .
Little child shakes head in negative response.
Marvin:
Or, I know, fellowship. that's it!
Little child shakes head in negative response.
Marvin:
You're sure?
Little child:
Jesus' birth.
Marvin:
That's it then?
Little child:
Yup!
Marvin:
You know, fer a little kid you're perty smart.
Little child:
Yup!
Marvin:
I know a place where they sell the greatest candy canes.
Little child:
What are we waiting for?
Marvin and child walk off stage.
The Smallest Sheep - Reading
Looking up at the eastern sky
That night on a windy hill
Shepherds watched a wonderful sight
While the world was dark and still.
A star shone bright as a beacon lamp
O'er sleeping Bethlehem town
As leaving their flocks, they ventured forth
Trudging up hill and down.
They did not see the smallest sheep
Who trailed their steps that night.
Their eyes were fixed on the brilliant star
As they followed its guiding light.
Swiftly the shepherds made their way
Till the star stopped over a stable.
The smallest lamb came tagging along
As fast as he was able.
He trotted up to the stable door
And peeked inside to see.
There in a manger filled with hay
Was a baby. Who could it be?
The shepherds knelt and worshiped him -
That baby so sweet and so small.
And as they bowed, the smallest sheep
Crept close to the wooden stall.
He poked his nose in the fresh, clean straw
And wiggled his stub of a tail,
Looking up to see a lady in blue
Whose face seemed tired and pale.
Then suddenly one of the shepherd boys
Discovered the smallest sheep.
He made a lunge for the animal,
Disturbing the baby's sleep.
The cry of the child was heard by all
And someone said, "Take him away'
How dare he come to this holy place
On this wonderful Christmas Day?"
Then Mary, the mother of Jesus, replied,
In a voice that was soft and sweet,
"Let him stay. He means no harm.
I'll give him some hay to eat.
"And he may watch by my infant's side
All through this wondrous night.
For my Son shall be called the shepherd of men
And lead his flock to the Light.
"So it seems most fitting, dear shepherd folk,
For an innocent lamb to be part
Of this stable here. I shall ponder this
And keep it within my heart."
Then the smallest sheep curled up in the hay
And no one thought it odd,
That one little lamb was there that night
To welcome the Lamb of God!
Lights out.