a christmas heaven sent

A Christmas Heaven Sent

Patricia Bortz

Copyright © 2012 by Patricia Bortz

All rights reserved

Permission to perform A Christmas Heaven Sent, by amateur and not-for-

profit groups or individuals, is granted upon accepting the royalty

agreement. These groups or individuals must agree to pray for their audience

before each performance which will constitute a royalty to the author. All

others must contact the author for permission at [email protected]

May God bless you in all your endeavors.

mailto:[email protected]

A Christmas Heaven Sent

A Play in Two Acts

By Patricia Bortz

Characters: BILL, 35-45, focused on his career, a scatter-brained salesman

LAURA, 35-45, controlling, going through an identity struggle

ANDY, 9-12, shy, timid, insecure, frightened of lots of things

JENNY, 14-15, self confident, knows more than her parents

MAX, 20-70, calm, reassuring, always smiling, very likable

KAREN, 20-35, adores her husband, supportive, loving

DON, 20-35, positive, takes charge, Godly

NANA, 70-85, spunky, witty, senile, controlling

JOE, 40-55, introvert, respectful, quiet

BARB, 40-55, kind, motherly, strong character

AMY, 15-20, sweet, trusting, respectful

SAM, 55-70, charming, outgoing, sense of humor

MARGIE, 55-70, good homemaker, wife and mother, loving

JOAN, 30-35 encouraging, optimistic, loving, in control

BOBBY, 9-12, straight-forward, likable, rugged

JACK, likable, charming, always smiling, friendly

CHOIR/PARTY GUESTS, all ages

Setting: The elevator, a cubicle (approx. 4.5’ x 4.5’ x 6.5’) sits in the center

of the stage. It has a light that is controlled from off stage. An

apartment is set up on either side of the elevator. Each changes

twice to represent four different apartments. Suggestions:

Karen and Don’s apartment (stage right):

Loveseat, coffee table, scrawny evergreen, ornaments

Joe and Barb’s apartment (stage left):

Table and chairs, red or green Christmas tablecloth,

coffee cups, Christmas tree

A CHRISTMAS HEAVEN SENT

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Sam and Margie’s apartment (stage right):

Loveseat, coffee table, bowl of popcorn, TV remote

Joan and Bobby’s apartment (stage left):

Table and chairs, simple tablecloth, dishes, Christmas tree

Jack and Carol’s apartment (stage right):

Loveseat, coffee table, glasses, a tray of hors d’oeuvres

Church: Chairs are set up as pews in a u-shape facing a lectern, center

stage. The choir loft is behind.

Notes:

The set can be as simple or complex as you like. Actors should clear each set

of props as they exit. The entrances to each apartment can be imaginary and

different for each. The entrance to Karen and Don’s apartment (right) could

be right next to the elevator because the action with Bill starts immediately.

The entrance to Joe and Barb’s apartment (left) could be almost in the wing

on the far left. Jenny doesn’t enter until way into the scene. The entrance to

Sam and Margie’s apartment (right) could also be far right. The entrance to

Joan and Bobby’s apartment (left) could be far left as well. Jack and Carol’s

apartment (right) must have the entrance on the far right.

Bill is carrying large presents that are piled high in front of him when the

family enters the elevator. When he gets off the elevator the first time, he

hands them to the others. When he returns to the elevator, he moves to the

back and everyone hands the presents back to him. Shuffling around in the

small elevator will add some humor the play. Make sure Andy and Jenny

poke or push each other several times.

In the last scene, the characters’ “thoughts’ must be prerecorded. Make sure

they are projected through the sound system so that the audience can hear

them clearly. Their message is important.

Make your characters as down to earth as possible. Many emotions are

tapped in this play. Don’t overdue them or make them too dramatic.

Keep them real. The audience will get the message without needing to be hit

over the head. Be creative with each character’s movements. Avoid standing

still, delivering speeches. Link the dialogue with an appropriate action.


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ACT I

Scene 1

(Light are all off on stage. First dialogue is performed off stage or in front of

a curtain if you have one.)

LAURA: Bill, are you sure you have the right address for Jack and

Carol’s apartment?

BILL: Of course I do! Do you think I’m going to get us lost on

Christmas Eve? The GPS should get us there in just a few

minutes.

JENNY: Why do we have to go to Mr. Murray’s house on Christmas

Eve?

LAURA: Because Jack Murray is a very important person from your

father’s company.

BILL: I’m sorry to make things so difficult, Jenny. Where would you

rather spend Christmas Eve?

ANDY: We could go to Grandma’s house.

JENNY: Yeah. Grandma’s all alone tonight.

BILL: We are going to see Grandma tomorrow.

LAURA: Grandma will just have to go it alone tonight. She’ll get along

fine. Lord knows I have ...

ANDY: But I don’t want to spend Christmas Eve with strangers!

BILL: Ah! Here we are. Now let’s find a parking place.

(Lights up on stage. Carolers are sing a medley of Christmas songs center

stage. The elevator light is off and Max is inside. On the last song Bill,

Laura, Andy and Jenny enter stage left, listen to the music for a while then


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move behind the carolers, and wait in front of the elevator, holding large

presents. Carolers exit stage right.)

BILL: What’s taking this elevator so long?

LAURA: We haven’t been waiting that long.

ANDY: Did anyone push the button?

JENNY: We have to! If this old elevator was here already how would

we even know it with all these stupid presents in the way?


LAURA: That’s not a nice attitude to have, Jenny.

BILL: Yes, Jenny, especially on Christmas Eve. Try to get in the

Christmas spirit, will you? ... Now, where is that elevator?


JENNY: Christmas spirit? You have been away on business for a whole

month, and now we’re going to spend Christmas with YOUR

friend from work, a complete stranger. Ho! Ho! Ho!

BILL: Is this what they teach you in junior high?

JENNY: Junior high!

LAURA: She is in her second year of high school, Bill. And the way

Andy’s grades have been he may have to repeat his grade.

BILL: What? This is news to me ... We’ve been waiting forever for

this elevator!

LAURA: You don’t know what waiting is. Believe me, being alone all

the time with you out of town so much, well, I’m not sure how

much longer...

JENNY: Where IS that elevator?


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BILL, LAURA, JENNY: No!

(Andy pushes the button and the light immediately goes on in the elevator.)

MAX: Hello, folks. What floor please?

BILL: Oh, uh, that’s a very good question.

LAURA: What’s Jack’s apartment number?

BILL: Six-one-two. Unless it’s six-two-one... (looks at crumpled

paper he has taken from his pocket)

JENNY: Duh!

MAX: Sixth floor coming up!

BILL: At least I think it’s six-one-two. I hope it is...

LAURA: And I hope we’re not too late.

ANDY: I hope we have a good time. I don’t even know these people.

And I hope this old elevator is safe.

JENNY: All I hope is that we can get it over with.

BILL: Anything else I can help you with?

JENNY: Yes, I hope Santa brings me a new smart phone. Or is the North

Pole the only place you haven’t gone on a business trip lately.

BILL: Pardon me, miss, but things haven’t been so bad in the Scrooge

household. You lack for nothing, thanks to my hard work. One

day you’ll appreciate ...

MAX: Sixth floor!


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(The family all struggle to squeeze past Max at the same time.)

BILL: This isn’t going to work, Besides, I’m not even sure six-one-

two is right. Let me go and see.

(Elevator lights go down; up in the apartment stage right. A young couple is

kneeling before a small Christmas tree in the center of the room. Bill walks

up to the door. It is ajar. Thinking Jack left it open, he goes right in.)

DON: ... and, Lord, please bless this little tree. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

KAREN: Oh, Honey, you’re my big, cuddly polar bear!

DON: And you’re my little snow bunny!

KAREN: No you’re my snow bunny!

DON: No, I’m your unemployed snow bunny.

KAREN: Oh, Don, It’s our first Christmas and our first apartment!

DON: It’s wonderful, though I sure wasn’t expecting to lose my job.

But we have each other.

KAREN: And we have the Lord.

DON: You are right, Karen. I was thinking about it today. It sounds

funny, but I’m really ... content. I can’t think of any other word

to describe it.

KAREN: Oh, Don, honey, I am too. We really do have everything. If you

count the important things, we are much richer than other

people.

DON: But look at this tree. Charlie Brown would have rejected it for

sure. I wanted our first Christmas tree to be ... well, to cost

more than ten bucks.

KAREN: I love it because you picked it out. Don’t worry, next year’s

will be better. Just think, that’ll be baby’s first Christmas tree!


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DON: We weren’t planning on that either, Karen, especially with me

out of work. But I guess ... I’m just believing things will work

out. Life is some adventure, huh?

BILL: It sure is... Oh, excuse me. I’m here to visit someone, and I’ve

stumbled into the wrong apartment. I’ve been standing here

listening a little ... I feel so stupid ...

KAREN: Well don’t feel stupid.

BILL: Actually, maybe I will feel stupid for just a minute or so. I think

it’s just what I need. Sorry again, and thank you.

DON: Merry Christmas.

BILL: Thanks, I hope you have a good one too.

DON: You know, I think this is the happiest Christmas I’ve ever had.

(Lights out on apartment, up on elevator. Bill moves to the rear of elevator.)

LAURA: So what happened? For a minute there I thought you had gone

off on another business trip.

BILL: Wrong place. I just remembered, Jack lives on nine-one-two. I

must have jotted down a six instead of a nine.

JENNY: Like, duh!

MAX: I hope your visit to six-one-two wasn’t a total loss, sir.

BILL: Uh, no, not really ...

MAX: What floor, please?

BILL: Nine... Laura, honey?

LAURA: Yes, Bill?


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BILL: Remember our first Christmas together? That crazy tree?

LAURA: The Charlie Brown tree! I remember. We had nothing in those

days.

BILL: Yeah, but we had everything.

MAX: Ninth floor.

JENNY: Andy, you’d better go look. Dad’s liable to get lost again.

MAX: You weren’t lost back there, were you sir?

BILL: I don’t really know...

MAX: So who’s getting off on this floor?

BILL: Not me. I’m afraid I’m too buried back here with these

presents.

ANDY: Well, I don’t want to go!

LAURA: It’s alright, Andy. There’s no need to be shy.

JENNY: He’s not shy, he’s just a scaredy-cat. I swear, Andy, you’re

afraid of your own shadow.

LAURA: Don’t swear on Christmas, dear.

JENNY: Mom, that’s not really swearing. Give me a break. I’ll check

out this apartment.

(Jenny leaves elevator and exits stage left. Lights out on the elevator)


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Scene 2

(Lights up on the apartment stage left. Nana is seated at the table with her

son Joe, his wife Barbara and their daughter Amy. They are having coffee.)

NANA: I just know Mary will be here any minute. What time did you

say she would be here, Joe?

JOE: Actually, Ma, I think she’s going to be a little late. Maybe after

we are all in bed.

BARB: Uh, yes, Nana. I don’t think she will be able to make it at all.

She’s been awfully busy, you know.

NANA: Busy! Mary too busy for her own family? Too busy for me her

only grandmother?

AMY: I think she’s taking a test ... in a late class, Nana. Dad’s right.

She won’t be home until well after bedtime.

NANA: But she can’t! I got her exactly what she wanted for Christ-

mas. Why she even told me what she wanted way back on

Thanksgiving.

AMY: Oh, Nana...

NANA: Oh, Amy, in a class? Indeed, on Christmas Eve? Sometimes

I forget things here and there but, Amy, don’t treat me like

I’m losing my marbles!

DAD: But Ma...

NANA: There’s the front door! I’ll bet it’s Mary.

BARB: Joe, do something!

JENNY: Oh, hello, is this the home of ...

NANA: Mary, my little Mary! Oh, I knew you’d be here. Come on in,


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my dear sweet child. Merry Christmas! How about a hug and a

kiss?

JENNY: OK. Merry Christmas to you too.

NANA: Now you wait right there. We’ve already opened our presents

rather early ... because some people believe that old ladies have

to be in bed by nine. But I have a special present just for you,

Mary. (Nana exits back stage, out of sight behind the elevator.)

JENNY: I’m sorry, but I’m not Mary.

AMY: I knew something like this would happen! Oh, poor Nana!

JENNY: What’s going on here?

BARB: Can you do us a favor? Would you please go along with her,

just for a minute or two?

JOE: Let me explain. My mother is terminally ill. She is also some-

what senile. This will be her last Christmas with us...

AMY: And she was so hoping to see Mary.

JENNY: So you want me to be Mary. Cool. I’ll be Mary. Who’s Mary?

BARB: You look ... so much like her.

JOE: Mary was our daughter. She was killed three weeks ago in an

automobile accident.

JENNY: Oh my gosh! I am so sorry.

BARB: Thanks you, dear. We just know the loss will be too much for

Joe’s mother. Especially on Christmas. If you could just pretend

to be her. It’s only for a minute or so. If it’s too much of an

inconvenience, we understand.

JENNY: But how do I be Mary?


13

AMY: You seem like a nice person. Just be yourself.

JENNY: Uh, well, if it’s just for a minute I will.

JOE: Thank you. It would be very kind of you. See that? I told you

we would have an answer to our prayer. A few minutes ago, the

situation looked hopeless. And now, this young lady appears.

She is the answer to our prayer.

JENNY: Your daughter just died. Your mother is about to die. And,

excuse me, I’m the answer to your prayer?

BARB: This has been a devastating time for us. It’s strange, but we are

learning to trust Jesus like we never have before. I can’t see it

now, but I know that He will see us through. He always comes

through.

JOE: Not always the way you think He will, but He always comes

through.

JENNY: But she has a present for me!

BARB: You keep it dear, whatever she has for you. We didn’t exchange

gifts this year, due to the circumstances.

JOE: Except my mother. She bought presents but didn’t seem to

notice that no one else did.

AMY: Here comes Nana.

NANA: Now, Mary dear, I know you are busy, taking a test in school

and all of that. Amy told me. But I have this little present for

you that I know you will just love!

JENNY: Oh!

NANA: Yep, it is just what you wanted, dear, a CD Walkman!

JENNY: It’s a smart phone! Just the model I wanted!


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NANA: It’s what all of you young people have nowadays, you told me

yourself. And I had the kind man at the store put a special

song in there for you.

JENNY: Thank you, Nana.

NANA: Enjoy it dear, and enjoy the song on your Walkman.

JENNY: Smart phone

NANA: Whatever. And promise me that you will keep that beautiful

faith in God. One day, Mary, you will see how your faith, the

faith of one little girl like you, has brought so much strength

to this family.

JENNY: I think I do see it already.

NANA: Well, don’t go bragging on yourself. Good night everyone.

I don’t know why you insisted I stay up so late. (Exit.)

JENNY: Good night, Nana... (after Nana exits) What an awful Christ-

mas for you.

BARB: It has been very difficult, yet for years, our daughter had been

teaching us the right perspective. She loved Jesus so much!

AMY: And now with her gone, that perspective is clearer than ever.

JOE: Not to say that it is easy. We are all still having a rough time.

BARB: The time to appreciate your loved ones is when they are still

here. As strange as it sounds, it can soften the blow of losing

them when they go. We won’t keep you any longer. I hope you

find who you are looking for.

JOE: Thanks so much for your help.

AMY: See I was right. You are just as nice as Mary.

JENNY: I even look like Mary... (Jenny exits apartment left, lights go


15

down. Jenny turns on the music from her new phone. Choir

sings from off stage, “Mary Did You Know”.)

(Lights up on the elevator)

MAX: So young lady. Did you find what you were looking for?

JENNY: Yes and no.

BILL: Did you find Jack’s apartment?

ANDY: Hey, what’s that you’ve got there?

JENNY: It’s a smart phone. I went to the wrong apartment and a

woman there gave it to me.

BILL: Your mother always says that spoiling you was my fault. But if

you are convincing strangers to give you exactly what you want

for Christmas, then you’ve got a thing or two to teach me about

sales.

JENNY: I’ll explain! I’ll explain! (She hugs Bill)

BILL: Hey, Princess, it’s been a long time since I got a hug like that!

JENNY: It’s been a long time since you called me “Princess”. Where’s

Mom? I have to tell her something.

ANDY: She went that-a-way. Dad says maybe Mr. Murray’s place is on

the fifth floor.

(Jenny hugs Andy)

ANDY: Hey! Did you see that? She hugged me! She never hugs me.

(Max smiles and winks at Andy. Lights down in elevator)

Scene 3


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(Lights up on the apartment stage right.)

SAM: I’ve got the whole night planned, and it will be great. After we

finish dinner, we’ll trim the tree and listen to our Andy

Williams record. Then, around eight, we can watch the last ten

minutes of “It’s a Wonderful Life” ... that’s the only part worth

watching really...

MARGIE: Oh, Sam, I don’t know...

SAM: And then we’ll have a little eggnog, and turn on the “Yule Log.

I’m sure some channel must have it on. And then we’ll open

presents...I can put on the Vienna Boys Choir...

MARGIE: Oh, (sobs) Boo-hoo-hoo!

SAM: Okay! We can put on the Chipmunks...Hey, Margie, honey,

what’s the matter? I knew you were a little down, but this

sounds really serious! It’s not so bad...

MARGIE: It is so bad. I’m all alone.

LAURA: Hello! (From the other side of the door)

SAM: You’re not all alone. What am I? A potted plant? You have me!

You have God!

LAURA: Hello!

SAM: Yes, come on in.

(Laura enters apartment but Sam and Margie ignore her.)

MARGIE: I know, but it’s not the same. Why did our only daughter

have to get married?

SAM: I don’t know! Something about propagating the human race.

They mention it in Genesis you know.


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MAGIE: You’re starting to even sound like a potted plant.

SAM: You know what I mean.

MARGIE: Yes, but why did she have to move so far away? And why did

our only son have to join the Army the same year? It all

happened so suddenly. Over the summer, there was no thought

that we’d be alone on Christmas...They grow up so fast and

then they are gone. Before you can even let them know...Before

you can even tell them...

LAURA: Oh, you poor dear, to be alone on Christmas.

SAM: She is not alone on Christmas. Who am I?...Come to think of

it, who are you?

LAURA: Y...you...you just told me to come in a minute ago. Remember?

SAM: I don’t remember. I must be losing my mind. First my family,

now my mind.

MARGIE: Oh, Sam, we are all alone...

LAURA: That’s terrible, to have your children gone on Christmas. I can’t

imagine it. They do grow up so fast...and they get away from

you even faster...

MARGIE: Darling, come here. Do you know what’s really terrible? I’m

really terrible. Did you hear me?

SAM: I heard you! That’s the smartest thing you said all night.

MARGIE: I wasn’t talking to you, Sammy! What I’m trying to say is that

the fear of being alone can be worse than really being

alone...we are never really alone.

SAM: That’s what I was trying to say!

MARGIE: That’s what he was trying to say. Let me ask you. Do you have


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any children?

LAURA: Yes, two.

MARGIE: Well one day they will be gone. That’s blunt, but I can’t put it

simpler than that.

LAURA: But I’m lonely now. I feel all alone as it is.

SAM: Listen to me. We are not alone. I have been trying to remind her

these past couple of weeks of what the Lord said. “I will never

leave you nor forsake you.”

LAURA: Never?

MARGIE: Not even your first Christmas when your children are gone. Not

even when your husband is gone too.

LAURA: Thank you. I’d better get back to my family.

SAM: You are fortunate to have them and they are fortunate to have

you.

MARGIE: Remember, you never have to be lonely again.

(Lights off in apartment. Margie exits stage right.)

Scene 4


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(Lights up on elevator)

MAX: Next stop, fifth floor.

BILL: Now I sent your mother down to five-one-seven. I’m sure it is

either five-one-seven or five-seven-one. Those other numbers I

had were Jack’s phone number, not his apartment number.

JENNY: So what’s next?

BILL: Well, Andy, what do you think?

ANDY: Um, I don’t think anything.

BILL: No, I think it is your turn to scout out apartment five-seven-one.

It’s all the way on the other side of the building. Think you can

handle it?

ANDY: No. Dad, I’m afraid. What if there are scary people in five-

seven-one? (To Max) Are there scary people in five-seven-one?

MAX: I really can’t answer that.

ANDY: You mean you don’t know, or you really can’t answer that?

MAX: I really can’t answer that.

ANDY: Sheesh.

JENNY: Don’t be scared, Andy. I found the wrong apartment and it

didn’t turn out too bad. It’s Christmas Eve after all!

ANDY: Okay, I’ll do it.

(Andy walks off stage left. Laura returns from stage right)

LAURA: Jenny, darling!

JENNY: Mom!


20

(Laura and Jenny embrace tightly, as if they had not seen one another in

years. Andy is in full view of the women. He looks at Max, pointing and

smiling. He starts to speak but Max raises his finger to his lips. Lights down

on elevator. Andy exits stage left. Lights up on Joan and Bobby’s apartment

stage left. Joan enters from behind the elevator. She is drying a plate and is

talking on the phone. Bobby is setting the table.)

JOAN: Yes, Mrs. Rockwell. This is Joan Williams, Bobby’s mother. I

said I’d call around this time...You are still coming, of course...

Why, yes...No, it’s no trouble at all. I think it would be great.

We’ll see both you and Gilbert in a little bit.

BOBBY: Mom, I can’t believe you’re doing this!

JOAN: Bobby, I want you to stop it. We spoke about this and it’s the

right thing to do.

BOBBY: What if he hits me again? What if he beats me up?

JOAN: He’ll do no such thing!

BOBBY: He’s not even my friend. He’s my enemy. He’s the school

bully! You invited the school bully over for Christmas Eve...

I’m dead.

JOAN: Bobby, listen to me. Did you ever wonder why Gilbert is the

way he is?

BOBBY: First off, don’t call him “Gilbert” unless you want to get beat

up.

JOAN: I told you, nothing like that is going to happen. His father has

been gone for the last two years. It’s been tough.

BOBBY: Well, my dad’s been gone longer than that and I’m not a killer.

JOAN: That’s right, but the Lord has made the difference in our lives.

He changes the whole picture.

BOBBY: I’m still scared.


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JOAN: Well don’t be. And when you go back to school, you’ll see,

Gilbert just may never pick on you again. I bet you both

become friends. Now get ready.

(Doorbell rings)

JOAN: I’ll be in the kitchen. Go ahead and get it, Bobby. Don’t be

afraid. (Exits behind the elevator.)

BOBBY: All right. I won’t be afraid...Andy, what are you doing here?

ANDY: Bobby? Is this your house?

BOBBY: Yeah, come on in. Boy have I got something to tell you!

ANDY: What’s up?

BOBBY: Guess who is coming to dinner, Christmas dinner, here! Rock

Rockwell!

ANDY: Gotta go, Bobby. See you in school. Merry Christmas.

BOBBY: No, wait. My mom invited him and his mom.

ANDY: Is your mom crazy?

BOBBY: Yup!

ANDY: Bummer, man. What are you going to do?

BOBBY: It won’t be so bad. Actually Gilbert, I mean, Rock, is going

through a tough time. Maybe he just needs some friends.

ANDY: Well, don’t call him “Gilbert”. You’ll get beat up.

BOBBY: Actually, I don’t think anyone’s going to get beat up. After this

he’ll probably be my friend.

ANDY: I really admire you. How did you get over the fear?


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BOBBY: I just decided I wouldn’t be afraid of him. My mom was just

telling me some stuff. Then I asked myself, “If Jesus went to

school with this guy what would He do?”

ANDY: I think He would turn Rock into a toad... No, I think Jesus

would be Rock’s friend.

BOBBY: That’s what I’m going to do.

ANDY: I guess I don’t need to be afraid of Rock any more either.

BOBBY: No, I’m sure you don’t. I wish I realized that at the beginning of

the school year.

ANDY: Hey, gotta go. See you in school.

(Lights out on the apartment. Lights up on the elevator)

MAX: So, how did it go?

ANDY: Good.

MAX: Anything we should be scared of?

ANDY: No

MAX: Great... What floor?

BILL: What floor? I believe I said four?

MAX: Four. Are you sure?

LAURA: Excuse me, we are looking for Jack and Carol Murray’s

apartment.

MAX: Jack and Carol Murray? Why didn’t you say so in the first

place! They are in apartment seven-one-six.

BILL: Why didn’t you say something sooner?


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MAX: Why didn’t you ask? Where you decide to go is your business.

ANDY: Where you decide to go is your business...

MAX: That is what my boss says, “Up or down, passenger’s choice.”

BILL: Well in that case, seven, please.

MAX: Seventh floor, coming right up.

ANDY: Are we there yet?

MAX: Humph. No adventure is complete without some kid saying,

“Are we there yet?” Ah, here we are, seventh floor. The

Murrays, make a right at the mail drop, first door on the right.

I suppose you folks must be a little peeved at me for the run

around.

(Simultaneously Bill, Laura and Jenny answer.)

BILL: No, not at all.

LAURA: No, not really. (Exit stage right)

JENNY: Oh, no. (Exit stage right)

ANDY: What does peeved mean?

BILL: Come along, Andy we will be late. (Exit stage right)

MAX: Peeved. It can mean to irritate, or inflame, or provoke.

ANDY: Maybe we are a little of those things, but maybe it’s okay. My

name’s Andy... Merry Christmas. (Exits stage right)

MAX: Merry Christmas, Andy.

(Lights off on elevator)

Scene 5


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(Lights up on Jack’s apartment, stage right. Several guests with drinks are

standing around talking. Carol offers them hors d’oeuvres from a tray.)

JACK: Heey! Merry Christmas! Look who’s here. You guys were so

late, we opened all of your gifts already... Just kidding!

BILL: Jack, I’m so sorry we are late. It’s great to see you. Believe it

or not, we were lost.

JACK: And now you’re found.

LAURA: Something like that, Jack.

JACK: You are actually just in time. We were all headed over to a

Christmas Eve service at our church. It’s just around the corner.

You are welcome to come if you want, or you can just stay

here and hang loose for a while.

BILL: Oh, I don’t know...

JACK: No pressure, Bill. It’s up to you.

LAURA: It would be nice, Bill. Remember our first Christmas?

JENNY: Yeah, remember when we were little? We went to church then.

It will be good, Daddy.

BILL: It has been such an unusual night so far, I’d have to say, yes!

(Lights out on apartment.)

ACT II


25

Scene 1

(Lights up in the church. All characters from previous scenes, excluding

Nana, are seated in the pews. The choir stands behind the lectern if there is

no choir loft. This scene requires the prerecorded “thoughts” of the

characters. Scene opens with the choir singing a few Christmas songs. If you

have a children’s choir or bells use them here. Choir joins the people in the

pews. Bill, Laura, Jenny and Andy are seated with the audience to their left.)

PASTOR: So Joseph went up to Bethlehem, the town of David, because

he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to

register with Mary who was expecting a child. While they were

there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth

to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths, and placed

him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the

inn.

(The pastor freezes. Spotlight goes up on Bill, he stands and his prerecorded

“thoughts” below are heard.)

BILL: No room at the inn. Not even a place to stay. Born in a barn

with animals, and laid in a manger. They had nothing. I have

worked so my family could have everything, yet I’ve been

missing the most important thing of all...Jesus!

(Spotlight off Bill, he sits down.)

PASTOR: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keep-

ing watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord shone

around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to

them, “Do not be afraid.”

(The pastor freezes. Spotlight goes up on Andy seated in a pew between

Rock and Bobby. Andy stands and his prerecorded “thoughts” below are

heard.)

ANDY: Do not be afraid! Jesus, help me to never be afraid of anything

or anyone again.


26

(Spotlight off Andy, he sits down.)

PASTOR: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find

a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a

great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on

earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

(The pastor freezes. Spotlight goes up on Laura, she stands and her

prerecorded “thoughts” below are heard.)

LAURA: A great crowd of angels, a great heavenly host! There they

were, shepherds alone in the fields, and nearby a mother,

father and child. But all the time they were never alone. All the

time, I’ve never been alone! Thank you, Jesus.

(Spotlight off Laura, she sits down.)

PASTOR: So the shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and

the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen

Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them

about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the

shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things

and pondered them in her heart.

(The pastor freezes. Spotlight goes up on Jenny, she stands and her

prerecorded “thoughts” below are heard.)

JENNY: What has been the state of my heart? What have I been

pondering lately, other than myself. This Christmas I learned

of another young women named Mary. And I learned of the

things that she treasured in her heart. Jesus is the most precious

gift of all!

(Spotlight off Jenny. People begin to get up and exchange greetings. Bobby

high-fives Rock, Laura hugs Margie, Bill shakes Don’s hand, Jenny talks

with Amy. Jack, Carol, Bill, Laura, Jenny and Andy regroup front stage.)


27

JACK: Our apartment is actually very easy to find, Bill. I’m sorry you

had to do so much running around on Christmas Eve.

BILL: No, this has been a great Christmas Eve, Jack, and I think the

running around part may just have been the most enlightening

part.

JACK: So fill me in, Andy. No one has blazed new sales territory like

your dad. He knows his way around the country. How in the

world did he get lost in my apartment building?

ANDY: I dunno. It’s been a weird Christmas, Mr. Murray.

JACK: So, has this been a weird Christmas for you too, Bill?

BILL: Well, it has been a very unforgettable Christmas to say the

least.

ANDY: Yeah, and your elevator man, he was ve-e-e-ry interesting!

JACK: Pardon?

LAURA: I’ve got to tell you, Jack, that elevator man...

JACK: Elevator man?

BILL: Yes, the fellow who runs your elevator.

JACK: We don’t have an elevator man.

(LIGHTS OUT)

a christmas heaven sent

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