CHRISTMAS PUPPET SHOW

Act I - Missing the Main Point Scene I - Johnny & Little Sister Johnny - I cant wait! I cant wait! I cant wait! Sister - Cant wait? Cant wait for what? Johnny - For Christmas, silly. I cant wait for Christmas. Sister - Why? Why cant you wait for Christmas? Johnny - All of the lights, and the food; the singing - pues, all of the fun that happens. And most of all - you want to know what my favorite part is about Christmas? Sister - What? What is it? Why are you making such a big deal? Johnny - The presents!! My favorite part about Christmas is the presents. And this is going to be the best Christmas ever!! Because the new PlayStation 1,256 Special Edition is coming out... Sister - (Getting excited, she interrupts) Is that the one with the new mindcontrolled controls? Johnny - Yeah. You clip them to your forehead & then the game is directly linked to your thoughts. It is the coolest ever. Sister - And with those new games, like Call of Duty - Kills a Lot. Johnny - And Crazy Taxi - the one where you get points every time you steal somebodys car. I cant wait. This is gonna be the best Christmas ever... (walking off)

Scene II - Dad & Mom (Dad already in scene, mumbling to himself, hands on head, scratching, with back-turned to Mom, who is entering from the other side) Mom Hi, my sweet honey pie, what are you up to? Dad (mumbling to himself, doesnt hear her, maybe throwing strips of paper & little objects in the air out of a box or something) Mom (clears her throat to get his attention) Um, oh dearest life-long partner of mine? Man of my dreams what are you doing with that box? Dad (continues mumbling to himself and throwing things in the air, still doesnt realize that Mom has entered the room or is talking to him.) Mom (tapping his shoulder) Honey, what are you? Dad (shrieks in surprise, and screams out) Aaaaahhh!!! Mom (shrieks simultaneously in fright at Dads response) Aaaaahhhh!!! Dad (continues, like in Home Alone) Aaaaahhh!!! Mom (also continues, like in Home Alone) Aaaaahhhh!!! Dad Dont do that? (catching his breath) Why (breathing heavy) are you (breathing heavy) sneaking up on me like that? You practically scared the little baby Jesus out of me. Mom I didnt sneak up on you. You were so distracted when I came in that you didnt even hear me talking to you. Why are you so tense & stressed out? Dad Oh, I dont know. Im really worried that this is going to be the worst Christmas ever. Mom The worst Christmas ever? Really? Why?

Dad Well, you know how Johnny wont stop talking about that game he wants the Train Station 3,450,000 or something. He hasnt stopped talking about it since it came out last month. Mom (talking excitedly) Is that the one with the mind-control controls? And the 4-D graphics? And the Dad (interrupting her) Youre not helping, honey? Mom Oh, right. Sorry. Dad Its just so expensive, and especially with things being so hard financially right now (starts to go on & on) and things being so tough at work and you know how the bills are pilling up and Mom (interupting, she shakes him to get his attention). Calm down. Get a hold of yourself Dad Oh, right. Right. Sorry about that. Mom Thats better. Dad But seriously, what are we going to do? All that matters at Christmas is getting gifts. If you dont get good gifts, then whats the point. (Puts his head in his hands) I really am worried this is going to be the worst Christmas ever. (Scene ends with their heads in their hands, acting worried) SONG You Give God a Bad Name.

Act II - Getting the Main Point Scene III - Johnny & Grandpa Johnny - Oh, I just cant wait. If I get that PlayStation 1,256, then this really IS gonna be the best Christmas ever.

Grandpa (entering the scene) What is all this racket about Johnny? I overheard you talking to your sister just now. I think youre missing the whole point of Christmas. Johnny - What do you mean Grandpa? When I get the PlayStation 1,256, Im gonna be the coolest kid at school. When the other kids see the 4-D graphics & the new mind-controlled controls... Oh, man, itll make this the BEST Christmas ever!! Grandpa - But Johnny, Christmas isnt just about presents... unless you mean being in the presence of your family (ba-dump-ching!) Get it, Johnny. Get it. Presents - Presence. HAHAHA. Johnny - (Covering his eyes with his hands in embarrassment). Yeah, Grandpa, I got it. (half-heartedly) Ha ha ha. Grandpa Besides, you shouldnt be killing and stealing... Johnny - Its just a game. Youre not REALLY killing people. Grandpa Oh. Ok. I get it. But youre missing the point. Youre missing out on what makes Christmas so amazing. Johnny - I dont get it Grandpa. What do you mean? If Christmas isnt about getting the PlayStation 1,256, then what IS it about? (Hands on head in shock.) Grandpa - Johnny, forget about that. There is so much more that makes Christmas special - being together as a family, loving our friends and neighbors, giving gifts, not getting them. Thats what makes Christmas special. Johnny - well, maybe... Grandpa - But most of all, you want to know what makes Christmas so special? Johnny - What Grandpa? What is it? I guess I do wanna know.

Grandpa - Its celebrating Jesus - Gods gift to humanity. Christmas is all about Jesus about Immanuel, about God being with us about how Jesus got into our world and changed history FOREVER!! Johnny Forever? Really? How? I thought he was just a baby in the manger who got some cool gifts? You mean there is more to the story than that? Grandpa Absolutely. You see, Johnny, God so loved the world that he sent his only Son Jesus that whoever believes in him wont perish, but will have eternal life. Johnny Now youre talking crazy, Grandpa. Grandpa No. Im serious. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, a free gift is given to you. Johnny Gifts? I knew Christmas was about gifts. Grandpa (Interupting) Well, um.. sorta. Its called a gift called grace Gods Riches At Christs Expense. We are freed from sin and we get to be with Jesus forever. Thats why Christmas is so special. It is Jesus not getting gifts, not even the Playstation 2,309,777 but JESUS is the reason for the season. Johnny Wow. I hadnt thought about it like that. I guess youre right Grandpa. Ive been so focused on my wish list that I couldnt see what Christmas was really about. Grandpa Hasnt your dad Kris told you about Jesus? Johnny Well sorta. He mostly talks about his football teams, plus I think hes been pretty stressed, though I dont know why. Grandpa I should go talk with him, too, then

Scene IV - Dad & Grandpa (Exit stage, Dad appears talking to himself, hands on head, worried...) Dad - How am I going to get all of these gifts for the kids? This Christmas is going to be horrible if they dont get any gifts... Grandpa - Hi, son. Who are you talking to? And whats this nonsense about Christmas is going to be horrible? Dad - Ah, well, the truth is... Im... Ive been... Grandpa - Yes, Son, what is it? Dad - Well, Im pretty stressed about Christmas. Johnny wants some Train Station 15,250,000 video game machine that costs over $300 and is all Johnny has been talking about. Grandpa Yeah, about that Dad (not really paying attention) not to mention what Im gonna get for my daughter and things at work have been so stressful Grandpa I know youve been pretty Dad (continuing on his anxious soliloquy) , and then we are still struggling to put food on the table Grandpa (trying to get a word in) youve been Dad (continuing in his own little bubble) I just dont know how Im supposed to do it all, Ive just been so Grandpa (at the same time) stressed lately. (turn to face each other in shock) Dad (at the same time)stressed lately. (turn to face each other in shock) (Dramatic Pause)

Grandpa Thats what I wanted to talk to you about. Dad Is it that obvious? (chuckles) I guess it is, huh? Grandpa First of all, dont you remember what the Bible says about worry? Remember the birds of the air (bird pops out) or the flowers in the field (flower pops up) how if God takes care of them, how much more is he going to take care of you. Dad Youre right, Dad. I have been pretty stressed out. Grandpa Son, you dont need to worry. Jesus cares about you. Dad - I guess I have been forgetting about how much God cares for me. And for my family. To be honest, I havent really even been thinking much about God lately, let alone praying or thanking him for what I have. Ive felt pretty distant from God, like I havent really been making myself available to him. Grandpa Remember, that is what is so great about Christmas. That God is with us! That Jesus came not waiting for us to get our act together but meeting us right where we are. Dad Thats true. Ive been so focused on so many other things, that Id forgotten about Gods presence with us. Grandpa It is his presence, not the presents under the tree, that we need. (ribbing Dad) Get it? Presence? Presents? Get it? Dad Actually Dad, I am getting. And not just about your joke. Ive been missing the whole point of what Christmas is about. But Grandpa What is it, son? Dad But what about Johnny? And his presents? He is so excited about getting this Train Station or PlayStation or whatever its called. Grandpa Dont worry about that, either. Im sure that God will meet you and help you to figure something out.

SONG Act III - Better to Give than Receive

Scene V - Johnny & Dad (Johnny is on one side, shuffling through a box, throwing papers in the air. Dad enters) Dad Hey, son, what are you up to? Johnny (mumbling to himself, doesnt hear her, maybe throwing strips of paper & little objects in the air out of a box or something) Dad (clears his throat to get his attention) Um, Johnny? Really what are you doing? I need to talk with you. Johnny (continues mumbling to himself and throwing things in the air, still doesnt realize that Dad has entered the room or is talking to him.) Dad (tapping his shoulder) Johnny, what are you? Johnny (shrieks in surprise, and screams out) Aaaaahhh!!! Dad (shrieks simultaneously in fright at Dads response) Aaaaahhhh!!! Johnny Dad, dont do that? (catching his breath) Why (breathing heavy) are you (breathing heavy) sneaking up on me like that? You practically scared the snot out of me. (Johnny wipes his nose) Dad Sorry, I didnt mean to sneak up on you. You were so distracted when I came in that you didnt even hear me talking to you. What were you doing anyway? Johnny Oh, well, Im getting ready for Christmas. This is going to be the worst Christmas ever.

Dad Yeah, about that. Thats why I came to talk to you. I know that youve been really excited about getting that PlayStation 505 Million, the one with the mind-controlled controls, but Johnny (interrupting his dad) Oh, well, I changed my mind. I think there is something else that is going to make this the best Christmas ever. Dad Well, before you get your heart set on another toy, I really do want to talk with you Johnny (again, interrupting his dad) No. No. I dont want another toy. Thats what I realized. Dad (almost screams, taken aback and surprised) What? Really? What do you mean? Johnny Well, Grandpa was talking to me about Jesus about what a gift he is to us and how Jesus is what makes Christmas so special. Dad Grandpa, huh? He talked to you? Johnny Yeah. And I realized that Ive got plenty of toys already. Remember that bike the BMXYZ that you gave me last Christmas? Dad Yeah, but you never even ride it anymore. Johnny Exactly. So I was thinking we could wrap it up and give it away to someone else this Christmas. You know, as a way of saying thanks to Jesus for all he has done for us. Dad You know Johnny, I think thats a great idea. Lets go get it out of the garage right now. Johnny Hey Dad, wasnt there something that you wanted to talk to me about? Dad (pausing) I think youve already got it more figured out than I did.