A SPECIAL GIFT A Christmas skit

By Patricia Bortz

CHARACTERS: Emma, 8-10, talkative, happy-go-lucky

Billy, 25-45, rugged and skeptical

Monica, 30-35, calm, reassuring

SETTING: Stage is set in the living room of Emma and Monica. The only

necessities are a Christmas tree and table with three wrapped

gifts on it and a big teddy bear. The rest is up to your space and

how realistic you want it to be: coffee table, sofa, etc.

Emma is wrapping a big teddy bear on the kitchen table when there is a knock at

the door, stage left. Emma stops and runs to open it. Monica enters from stage right

wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. Bill enters through the “door” stage left.

EMMA: (Hugs Billy) Hi, Uncle Billy. I’ve missed you.

BILLY: (Puts down his suitcase and sweeps her into his arms) How are you

Little Princess?

EMMA: I’m so excited that you came. This is going to be the best Christmas

ever!

BILLY: (Hands Emma a shopping bag full of gifts) Here, Emma, put these

under the tree for me will you, please?

EMMA: (Eyes wide, Emma takes the bag over to the tree) Sure, thanks.

BILLY: (Aside to Monica) How is she?

MONICA: She is fine . . . really . . . How was your trip?

BILLY: Not too bad. I hit rush hour outside of Philadelphia but other than that

it was a piece of cake.

MONICA: Speaking of cake, I have one that is just ready to be put in the oven.

I’ll be back in about five minutes. OK?

BILLY: Sure.

EMMA: Uncle Billy, do you want to see the presents I’m wrapping for

Christmas?

BILLY: (Walks over to the table.) Who are all these things for?

EMMA: This one is for Dad... this one is for Mom... and this one is for you.

BILLY: Let me see it. (He tries to peek into the package)

EMMA: No fair peeking. You have to wait until Christmas.

BILLY: (Points to the teddy bear.) Who is this one for?

EMMA: That one is for my best friend.

BILLY: This must be a very special friend.

EMMA: On, yes, Uncle Billy. He’s the best friend ever! He’s always with me

and we talk and talk forever. He helps me all the time. I love Him

so much and I want to give Him the best present ever!

BILLY: He isn’t a six foot rabbit named Harvey by any chance, is he?

EMMA: No, silly, his name is Jesus. He goes everywhere with me. He even

went to the hospital with me.

BILLY: He did?

EMMA: Oh, yes, I don’t really remember it very much because I was sleeping

most of the time. But Daddy says that Jesus touched me and that’s

why I got better.

BILLY: Your dad said that, huh.

MONICA: (enters stage right)

EMMA: Oh, yes, Mom said so too. They prayed very hard for me and Jesus

answered their prayers. I never have to be afraid again because I

know Jesus always takes good care of me, even when I’m sleeping.

That’s why I want to give Him a teddy bear.

BILLY: Why would He want a teddy bear?

EMMA: Well, that way He has someone to keep Him company while I’m

asleep. You see He never sleeps. He’s always watching over me.

Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, you know, and I want to have a very

special gift for Him.

MONICA: Emma, why don’t you go and get ready for bed? It is getting pretty

late.

EMMA: OK. I’ll be back in a little bit. (gives Billy a hug) I’m so glad you’re

here. I know Jesus is glad you’re here too. We love you so much.

(Exit stage right)

BILLY: What’s all this Jesus talk? She said that Jesus touched her.

MONICA: Yes, that’s true. The doctors even agreed that it must have been a

miracle.

BILLY: Miracles only happen in the movies.

MONICA: I can’t deny what happened. You can see for yourself she is fine. Only

three weeks ago she was next to death. How would you explain it?

BILLY: I don’t know. I just know Jesus had nothing to do with it.

MONICA: You are wrong, Billy, look. (Takes her Bible from the coffee table)

When Emma was sick Frank and I sat at her bedside day and night.

You don’t know what it is like seeing the life slip away from your

only child. Mostly we prayed but sometimes I read my Bible. Emma

had been unconscious for three days. On the evening of the third

day I came across this scripture.

(She opens the Bible and reads Mark 5:22-24)

“The leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus

came and fell down before Jesus, pleading with Him to heal his little

daughter. “She is at the point of death,” he said in desperation.

“Please come and place your hands on her and make her live.” Jesus

went with him, and the crowd thronged behind.”

And this is the best part. (Monica continues to read Mark 5:35-42)

“A messenger arrive from Jairus’ home with the news that it was too

late - his daughter was dead and there was no point in Jesus’ coming

now. But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, “Don’t be

afraid, just trust me...When they arrived, Jesus saw that all was in

great confusion, with unrestrained weeping and wailing. He went in-

side and spoke to the people. “Why all this weeping and commotion?”

He asked. “The child isn’t dead; she is only asleep!” They all laughed

at Him in bitter derision, but He told them all to leave, and taking the

little girl’s father and mother and His three disciples, He went into the

room where she was lying. “Taking her by the hand He said to her,

“Get up little girl!” (She was twelve years old.) And she jumped up

and walked around! (Monica closes the Bible)

BILLY: But Jesus isn’t around any longer.

MONICA: Oh, no? Well Frank and I got down on our knees right there next to

Emma’s hospital bed and prayed with all our hearts, “God, we know

You love little Emma just as much as You loved that man’s daughter.

So in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we claim that

same healing for our daughter.”

BILLY: I don’t believe He really answers prayers. You just ...

MONICA: Billy, but midnight her fever was broken and her color was normal.

By 7:00 the next morning she was awake and hungry for breakfast. I

know without a doubt that Jesus touched her that night.

BILLY: (Softens a little.) That’s a pretty amazing story, Monica.

MONICA: It’s not just a story, Billy. God is amazing and Emma is living proof

of it.

BILLY: Well, I don’t know what to think. God wasn’t around when my Dad

was sick. Then when he died I guess my belief in God died too.

MONICA: I think that happens to a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. All

I know is that without Jesus our Emma wouldn’t be with us right now.

He has totally changed our lives and given us new hope.

EMMA: (Enters stage right, ready for bed)

BILLY: So what am I suppose to do now fall on my knees and ask Jesus into

my life?

EMMA: That’s what I did. And now He is my best friend. Mom, can I sing my

birthday song for Uncle Billy?

MONICA: All right, Sweetie, but then it is off to bed.

(Emma moves to the microphone and begins to sing Happy Birthday, Jesus. Billy

listens to the song and then moves to his knees. Monica prays with him and then

they both join Emma in the final chorus.)