Summary: This play takes place at Christmas over 3 generations as the family explores their “why” as far as their faith goes. It follows Ruth as a grandmother, flashing back to the 1980’s as a middle aged mother, then the 1960’s as a young mother. The play also cuts to various bible scenes as the characters relate different stories of people who made the choice to follow Jesus and obey God’s word.
Style: Dramatic Duration: 35-60 minutes
Key verse is Joshua 24:15
Actors: 6 F, 9M, 3 Teen/Children
Ruth : The grandmother
Jessica : The mother
Joshua : The father
Sarah : Oldest sibling
Ava : Middle Sibling
Pam : Youngest Sibling
1980’a Ruth (as a mother)
1980’s Jessica : (As a teenager)
1960’s Ruth (as a young mother)
Mark : Her husband (the grandfather)
Pastor
Mary
The Angel
Joseph
Innkeeper
Jesus
Simon Peter
Andrew
This play was written for a girl heavy cast. Some of the siblings can be switched to boys if needed.
- The time period changes made for fun costume opportunities. I used music as the lights went out on one scene, to transition. Example: from current times to 80’s we play a popular 80’s track over the sound system. Same for 1960’s. Added a fun transition.
- Some people thought having some other indicator that it was transitioning to a different time period might be helpful. Example: some kind of screen projection noting it as the 1980’s. Just a thought we were given if it seems like it’d be unclear.
- We had the modern family set on stage left and kept that. We transitioned stage right between the 80’s and 60’s, then had the bible scenes act out front stage center. Seemed to work, but depends on stage size and your lighting capacity.
- The 1960’s scene deals with the Vietnam war which would be familiar with American audiences, but please feel free to add dialogue to make it more clear to your audience if needed.
SCENE I
(Lights up on a family home. Jessica and Ruth are sitting at the table waiting for the kids to come home from school. It’s the last day of school before Christmas break.)
(The three kids enter up the center aisle with much excitement. They come on stage and throw their backpacks to the side and bombard their mother with questions.)
AVA: What’s to eat? I’m starving!
PAM : Yeah I didn’t eat anything all day.
JESSICA : Wait, what about your lunch money?
PAM : Oh well, I bought a slice of pizza but I bet stupid Chad Cook that…
JESSICA : (INTERRUPTING) Hey!
PAM : Ugh sorry. I bet Chad Cook that he couldn’t shove the whole thing in his mouth at once. And guess what?
AVA : He did! It was ridiculous. I saw it.
SARAH : Gross
JESSICA : I agree with your sister…
SARAH : (cutting her off) OMG mom!! You aren’t going to believe what Aubrey is getting for Christmas. A new Iphone.
JESSICA : Oh that’s nice I suppose.
SARAH : Mom!! I need a new phone.
JESSICA : You “need” a new phone?
AVA : What? If she’s getting a new phone for Christmas, then I want a Switch.
JESSICA : I never said…
(JOSHUA, THEIR FATHER, ENTERS AND THE KIDS INSTANTLY SHIFT THEIR ATTENTION TO HIM. ALL THREE OF THEM RUSH OVER TO HIM.)
SARAH : Dad. All my friends are getting new phones for Christmas.
AVA : Yeah and it’d be so cool if I got a Switch.
PAM : Dad. If they’re getting stuff. I want stuff too.
JOSHUA : Whoa, who’s getting stuff?
JESSICA : Everyone’s getting stuff. Didn’t you hear?
SARAH : Yeah Everyone’s getting them.
JOSHUA : Well if everyone’s getting stuff then, yes stuff for all of you.
PAM : But….Wait what? Really?
JOSHUA : No not really. That’s crazy.
SARAH : Dad!!
JOSHUA : Sarah are you listening to yourself?
JESSICA : This all sounds completely entitled right now. What is come over you kids?
RUTH : (starts giggling) Ahhh. I honestly love it.
(ALL STOP AND STARE AT RUTH (THE GRANDMA).)
JESSICA : Mom. That is not helpful.
SARAH : Thank you grandma. So you get it.
RUTH : Well no honey. I do agree with your parents. But it just brings back memories.
SARAH : Uhhhh. This is so lame.
JESSICA : Mom. What are you talking about? It was NOT like this in the good old days. We were grateful for what we had.
RUTH : Good old days? Darling you and I remember the 80’s very differently.
(LIGHTS OFF)
(STAGE CHANGE TO REPRESENT A ROOM IN A HOME FROM THE 1980’S. )
SCENE II
(LIGHTS UP. “80’S RUTH” IS IN THE HOME. “80’S JESSICA” AS A TEEN ENTERS CENTER STAGE WITH HEADPHONES ON. 80’S MUSIC PLAYS ON THE SPEAKERS REPRESENTING WHAT SHE IS LISTENING TO. RUTH TRIES TO GREET HER BUT SHE DOESN’T HEAR. JESSICA PICKS A MAGAZINE OFF THE TABLE AND LETS OUT A SHRIEK OF JOY. RUTH JUMPS AND TAKES THE HEADPHONES OFF. MUSIC STOPS. JESSICA IS STARTLED.)
80’s RUTH : Oh hello. How was school?
80’s JESSICA : Hi mom. Sorry. Did you see this though? (Holds up the magazine.)
80’s RUTH : What am I looking at?
80’s JESSICA : Him! Right there! Like, on the cover?
80’s RUTH : Is that the singer from ummm…that band…Bon Jovi?
80’s JESSICA : (Clutches the magazine to her chest. (DREAMILY)) Yeah it is.
80’s RUTH : Is that really why you screamed?
80’s JESSICA : OK. Mom, like anyway. I need to talk. Wendy and Natalie have these totally rad leg warmers and I need them!
80’s RUTH : You “need” them? So how bad is this. If you need them? What might happen if you don’t get them?
80’s JESSICA : Ok mom like take a chill pill or something.
80’s RUTH : Well I mean are we talking life or death, or slight irritation?
80’s JESSICA : Uhh mom. You are being impossible.
80’s RUTH : I don’t think I am. You have at least 8 pairs of leg warmers. I know because I just washed them.
80’s JESSICA : But these are sooooo cool. And we want to match. And also, I heard that Lauren said that even if I wanted to get some, that my “single mom” couldn’t afford it. Which is totally bogus.
80’s RUTH : Oh so Lauren said this to you.
80’s JESSICA : No Wendy told me.
80’s RUTH : I see. Aaaaaand who told Wendy?
80’s JESSICA : Well I think Lauren said this to Courtney and Amy, who told Kelly, who told Wendy who told me.
80’s RUTH : Wow.
80’s JESSICA : Yeah so I told Amy that I heard that Lauren can’t even…
80’s RUTH : (Cuts her off.) Let me stop you right there young lady. Gossip has no place in our home and no business coming out of your mouth. And are you even listening to yourself right now? Greed, gossip. This is not at all how I am raising you and not even close to what God expects from us.
80’s JESSICA : Yeah I guess. But it’s just that it’s Christmas and all the kids are talking about cool stuff.
80’s RUTH : And that’s fine. There is nothing wrong with wanting cool stuff. It’s fun and leg warmers are fine.
80’s JESSICA : Especially the red and yellow ones. So epic!
80’s RUTH : Yes. Epic for sure. But think about Christmas for a second. The real Christmas. The reason we celebrate Christmas.
80’s JESSICA : I know mom.
80’s RUTH : Exactly. I know you know. So you don’t have the excuse of not knowing. Almost 2000 years ago, Joseph and Mary set out to follow God’s will and fulfill scripture. Why do you think they did that?
80’s JESSICA : (Reciting something she’s heard her mom say.) They made the choice to serve the Lord.
80’s RUTH : Yes they did. And it wasn’t so you could have a million pairs of rainbow leg warmers.
80’s JESSICA : I know mom.
80’s RUTH : For a thousand generations individuals have said yes to God’s will and made that choice, and we are somewhere in the middle of that chain, so we make the choice everyday who we will serve. And I am trying to carry that on by teaching you what it means to say “I will serve the Lord.”
80’s JESSICA : I know mom. I try.
80’s RUTH : Look, I know you do honey. We all just need to slow down sometimes. Especially around Christmas. Now come on, let’s go get some hot chocolate.
(LIGHTS OFF.)
SCENE III
(LIGHTS UP ON THE MODERN DAY. THE FATHER, JOSHUA, AND THE KIDS ARE LAUGHING. JESSICA LOOKS UNIMPRESSED. )
SARAH : Mom. First of all, leg warmers sound so lame. But you did the same thing.
AVA : Yeah so you guys can’t be mad at us.
JESSICA : I’m not mad. And yes there may have been some similarities.
JOSHUA : Oh Jess. Too funny.
JESSICA : Ok. You can slow your roll before I dig out the breakdancing and boombox pictures.
JOSHUA : Yeah that’s fair. But my boom box was epic.
PAM : Hey dad remember last year when you tried to teach us to breakdance?
JOSHUA : Yeah I do. Thanks for the reminder.
AVA : You hurt your back.
JOSHUA : Yeah, again thanks for the reminder. But anyway, we were talking about your mother, remember. Don’t drag me down in this.
RUTH : Look kids, I’ve been around from mood rings to leg warmers to iphones and a hundred things before that. The things change but the point I think I always tried to make to your mom was we make choices every day.
SARAH : I get that, but so many kids celebrate Christmas different. It’s all about presents and getting stuff.
JOSHUA : Sure and the presents are fun and special. But that is just a part. You’ve heard the story of Mary and Joseph and the angel right? The story of Christmas?
AVA : A hundred times.
JOSHUA : Right. I know, but have you really thought about it.
AVA : About what?
JOSHUA : What if Mary said no.
PAM : Huh.
JESSICA : Do you think some kind of magic came over her, preventing her from making a decision?
AVA : I never thought about it.
JOSHUA : Exactly. Now I guess I don’t know, none of us were there. But Mary said, let it be so and fulfilled scripture.
AVA : Hmmmm. That is what she said, isn’t it?
SARAH : It’s just hard to imagine that as a choice for some reason.
JOSHUA : I guess it can be.
JESSICA - That’s what the bible tells us she said. Let’s look. (picks up a bible).
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE IV
(LIGHTS UP.)
(BIBLICAL TIMES. MARY IS SITTING, FOLDING CLOTH IN A BASKET. ANGEL ENTERS.)
ANGEL : Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.
MARY : (JUMPS IN FEAR). What? Who are you?
ANGEL : Do not be afraid Mary. You have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus.
MARY : You’re…..you’re an angel?
ANGEL : He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end.
MARY : I don’t understand. How can this be since I do not know a man?
ANGEL : The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. And the one who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Indeed, Elizabeth, your relative is also with child in her old age. For with God all things are possible.
MARY : (PAUSES IN THOUGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GETS DOWN ON HER KNEES FACING THE AUDIENCE). Let it be to me according to your word.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE V
(LIGHTS UP ON THE FAMILY AGAIN IN THE MODERN DAY)
AVA - We’ve heard that so many times that I don’t think I really listen anymore.
JOSHUA : It happens. That’s why it’s important to really think about it.
JESSICA : Right and thinking about the rest of the story.
SARAH : I was just gonna say that. Joseph was visited in a dream, but he chose also. He could’ve made an accusation or whatever they called it back then.
JESSICA : True and technically the authorities could’ve killed Mary.
PAM : What! Killed her.
JOSHUA : Yeah Pam. But it didn’t happen that way.
SARAH : Right he did take Mary and they did travel all the way to Bethlehem.
JOSHUA : They did. Jess, grab your bible again. Let’s keep going for a minute.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE VI
(LIGHTS UP IN BIBLICAL TIMES. INNKEEPER AND OTHER VILLAGERS ARE ON STAGE. MARY AND JOSEPH ENTER DOWN THE AISLE FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR A ROOM. JOSEPH’S FIRST LINE IS FROM BEFORE HE GETS ON STAGE.)
JOSEPH : Up ahead look, there’s Bethlehem.
MARY : (IN PAIN) Oh Joseph. It’s time. I need a place.
JOSEPH : I know. I’m trying.
(JOSEPH MAKES HIS WAY TO SEVERAL PEOPLE DESPERATE FOR A ROOM. NOBODY IS ABLE TO HELP HIM. HE MAKES HIS WAY BACK TO MARY WHO IS SITTING AT THE FRONT OF THE STAGE.)
JOSEPH : There’s no place to go. Mary I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to do.
MARY : Me neither. We’ve come this far, and we are out of time.
JOSEPH : I have to believe God has brought us this far and will somehow come through.
(THE INNKEEPER FROM STAGE COMES FORWARD TO MARY AND JOSEPH.)
INNKEEPER : I actually have space. It’s not much but it’s all I can offer.
JOSEPH : Yes. We’ll take it. It doesn’t matter.
INNKEEPER : It’s where my animals are, but it’s dry and safe.
INNKEEPER : It’s right over here. I’ll show you, my friend.
(JOSEPH HELPS MARY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE WHERE THERE’S A MANGER. MARY SITS AND JOSEPH KNEELS BEHIND IT.)
(LIGHTS OFF.)
SCENE VII
(LIGHTS UP IN MODERN TIME)
JESSICA : See their faith and obedience carried them through.
JOSHUA : Right and that’s what God uses to fulfill His will.
AVA : Sure. That was Mary. The angel came to her. She knew she was doing something special.
JESSICA : True but could she have possibly known all that it was going to mean.
AVA : I guess not fully.
SARAH : Yeah and I guess her decision set everything in motion.
JOSHUA : In a way yes.
JESSICA : And because of that, Jesus grew to be the savior.
JOSHUA : And you mentioned Mary knowing she was involved in something special ahead of time. That’s not always the case either for us.
JESSICA : Look at the first people Jesus called. Simon Peter. They were fishermen, just doing their thing, until one day Jesus stepped onto their beach.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE VIII
(LIGHTS UP. BIBLICAL TIMES. JESUS STANDING TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE STAGE, FACING THE AUDIENCE TEACHING (SILENTLY). SIMON AND ANDREW ARE IN A BOAT TOWARDS CENTER STAGE.)
JESUS : (walking towards the boat). Excuse me. Would you mind if I used your boat.
SIMON : Ummmm I guess, sure. (Motions for him to step in.)
ANDREW : (TO PETER) That’s him! That’s the man I told you about. I’d recognize him anywhere.
SIMON : Andrew, I’m exhausted and I don’t know what you’re talking about.
ANDREW : The man, the one. John The Baptist called him The Lamb of God. I told you this. I went with him to the place he was staying.
SIMON : Oh yeah, I think I remember you saying that.
ANDREW : (VISIBLY UPSET) You think you remember?! I literally said to you “we have found the Messiah.”
SIMON : Ok? So now what?
JESUS : (FACING THE CROWD AS IF FINISHING HIS TEACHING) And so I say to you all, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (JESUS TURNS TOWARDS THE TWO AND LOOKS OUT OVER THE BOAT.) Cast your nets out to the deeper water.
SIMON : I’m sorry? We’ve been at it all night. Our nets are almost dried.
JESUS : One more time, my friend.
ANDREW : Simon, come on. Do what he says.
(SIMON AND ANDREW TOSS THE NET OVER THE SIDE OF THE BOAT. AFTER A MINUTE THEY START TO REACT IN SURPRISE AND WORK TO PULL THE NET BACK INTO THE BOAT. BOTH HOLD UP FISH, SURPRISED.)
SIMON : What? How?
JESUS : Follow me Simon. Follow me Andrew.
ANDREW : Let’s go. I’ll go.
SIMON : Yes. Wait, now? The boat? The fish.
ANDREW - Yes now! It’s him. (POINTS TO JESUS). He’s the one. The Messiah.
SIMON : He wants us to go with him. Me.
ANDREW : Well, us….technically.
JESUS : Both of you come here.
(THEY WALK OVER TO JESUS.)
SIMON : Yes what is it?
JESUS : Follow me. Both of you.
ANDREW : But teacher, we are just fishermen.
JESUS : Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
(THEY LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER AND START NODDING. SIMON AND PETER FOLLOW JESUS. )
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE IX
(LIGHTS UP MODERN DAY.)
JESSICA : It couldn’t have been an easy decision. But that’s the way it is.
JOSHUA : For generations after that, people had to make the choice to follow Jesus.
SARAH : Ok, like I get that. But what about us?
JOSHUA : What do you mean?
SARAH : Ummm. I guess I mean like they had something. Something that made them say yes. It’s hard to explain.
AVA : Yeah I mean those stories are from so long ago.
PAM : Even the fish story is 2000 years ago.
JOSHUA : (LAUGHS) Sure it is a long time ago.
SARAH : I don’t mean that it’s not enough, but…
JESSICA : But what about us? Is that what you mean? Why do we choose to follow The Lord.
SARAH : I guess yes. I mean someone makes the decision because of something, and passes that down. But I feel like that chain is broken at times along the way and there’s generations that don’t follow. Does that make any sense?
JESSICA : I think it does. And I agree that’s why we have The Word (HOLDS UP HER BIBLE). But what makes it personal?
SARAH : Yeah, I mean we are being taught and raised in faith, and I know dad wasn’t necessarily, but you were. What about grandma? How far back does it go for us.
JOSHUA : Wow. You are asking some serious questions. Good ones!
JESSICA : Those are great questions honey. You are actually reminding me of a very similar question I was asking your grandma when I was your age.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE X
(LIGHTS UP ON 1980’S RUTH AND 80’S JESSICA PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND GOING THROUGH SOME BOXES.)
80’s JESSICA : Mom there’s so much stuff in these boxes.
80’s RUTH : I know hon. We don’t need all of it. If you see the gingerbread man decoration, pass it over.
80’s JESSICA : (HOLDS UP SOME DECORATIONS.) Whoa these are pretty rad.
80’s RUTH : Oh yeah. Those are actually pretty old.
80’s JESSICA : Cool. What about this box?
80’s RUTH : I have no idea. Probably old also.
80’s JESSICA : (PULLS THE TOP OFF A BOX). Ughhh, like gag me. Mom this box smells awful.
80’s RUTH : Put the top back on then!
80’s JESSICA : Ohh. Here smell it.
80’s RUTH : No! Get it out of my face.
80’s JESSICA : I’m putting it outside. It’s really bad.
80’s RUTH : Were you able to see what was in it?
80’s JESSICA : looked like a bunch of stuff. But a really cool old looking nativity was on top.
80’s RUTH : Oh yes. I love nativity sets. There’s a stone one that’s real special.
80’s JESSICA : (SITS QUIETLY FOR A MOMENT) Hey mom?
80’s RUTH : What is it Jess?
80’s JESSICA : Ya know how we celebrate Christmas different than other people?
80’s RUTH : What? I don’t think we celebrate different? How?
80’s JESSICA : Well not different than your friends, or our church people, but from a lot of kids at school.
80’s RUTH : Oh is that so?
80’s JESSICA : Well yeah. That nativity made me think of it. For a lot of my friends it’s just trees and presents. Our house has that, but it seems like so much more for us.
80’s RUTH : And……you don’t like that?
80’s JESSICA : That’s not it. I love it and I do believe that it’s all because of Jesus. And I do feel and believe that. But it’s because you taught me that.
80’s RUTH : Ok? I’m not sure where you are going with this.
80’s JESSICA : Like, I mean, who taught you? Did Christmas always look like this for you? Is this what you always believed? Did you always choose to follow God?
80’s RUTH : Oh I understand now. Well I guess the short answer is no. This isn’t how it always was for me.
80’s JESSICA : What changed?
80’s RUTH : Well that’s the long answer sweetheart.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE XI
(LIGHTS UP. MODERN DAY. ALL ARE QUIET AND LOOK TO GRANDMA (RUTH).)
RUTH : Maybe I should tell this story.
JESSICA : Mom. You don’t have to.
SARAH : Oh? I’m sorry grandma.
RUTH : Sarah. Don’t ever apologize for asking these question? It’s ok.
JESSICA : Your grandma’s right. But it’s a hard story.
RUTH : It is.
JESSICA : I know, and I just thought…
RUTH : It is hard, Story. But it’s our “why.”
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE XII
(LIGHTS UP. 1960’S. A YOUNG MOTHER (1960’S RUTH) IS SITTING IN A CHAIR WITH A NEWBORN. SHE IS ANXIOUSLY LISTENING TO THE RADIO, WHICH IS BROADCASTING NEWS ABOUT THE ONGOING WAR IN VIETNAM. A YOUNG MAN WALKS IN, HER HUSBAND (JESSICA’S FATHER MARK). JESSICA IMMEDIATELY STANDS NERVOUSLY. MARK TAKES A DRAFT CARD AND PAPERS AND SETS IT ON THE TABLE. RUTH STARTS CRYING.)
60’s RUTH : No no no.
MARK : Ruth. I’m sorry. I got the notice to report and it looks like I’m going.
60’s RUTH : This can’t be. They can’t . What can we do?
MARK : You know there’s nothing to do about it. It’s heavy. I took some time before I came home.
60’s RUTH : Yeah it’s overwhelming. (STANDS UP) I…here…hold the baby.
MARK : Of course. Baby if there was anything I could do. I would.
60’s RUTH : I know. I know. (PANICKY) I just….I….Oh I can’t breath.
MARK : Hey. Hey. Look at me. Breathe, slow. Good breathe.
60’s RUTH : Oh ok. I’m alright. I gotta sit back down.
MARK : Alright yeah, groovy. That’s better.
60’s RUTH : I have to say, you seem awfully calm.
MARK : Ha. Well you didn’t see me a couple hours ago. It was a very different story. I pretty much flipped my wig.
60’s RUTH : A couple hours ago? Where have you been?
MARK : Walking, thinking, and walking some more. I didn’t know how to tell you, what to say.
60’s RUTH : I mean, we all knew this was a real possibility.
MARK : Yeah a real likelihood I guess.
60’s RUTH : I know, but somehow I was able to convince myself it wouldn’t be us.
MARK : I feel like I was just waiting for it.
60’s RUTH : Oh honey. I’m sorry.
MARK : It’s ok. I’m alright. We do what we’re called to do.
60’s RUTH : Here I am becoming unglued, and not even being there for you.
MARK : It’s cool man. (SMILES)
60’s RUTH : (LAUGHS) Oh Mark. What are we gonna do?
MARK : Well this sounds and feels nuts, but I think something happened while I was walking.
60’s RUTH : What are you talking about?
MARK : Ok I’m warning you it sounds crazy.
60’s RUTH : It’s ok
MARK - I was just walking around the city thinking what a bad trip this whole thing is. I just kept walking and walking with my head down. Finally I kinda slipped off the curb. I looked up and it was dark. Like I don’t remember it getting dark. Most of the buildings were dark also. There was one light coming through a window across the street.
60’s RUTH : What was it?
MARK : It took me a minute because the light was colored and it wasn’t really even a window. But it like called me.
60’s RUTH : Called you? Like you heard the window?
MARK : Well no! I can’t explain it. I didn’t hear anything, like I’m not crazy. Man cut me some slack.
60’s RUTH : It’s ok. I hear you. I’m just trying to….
MARK : Yeah I know. So like I said, I didn’t hear with my ears. But something inside said “follow me.” I had no idea what that meant. So I walked closer to the window light and realized it looked weird because it was a cross.
60’s RUTH : A cross? Like a Cross? (MAKES THE SIGN OF THE CROSS)
MARK : Yeah a cross. It was a church. I stood outside that window for what seemed like forever.
60’s RUTH : You just stood.
MARK : Yeah I just stood. Like a fool in the dark. But something was happening. Peace is the only word to describe it. And it made no sense.
60’s RUTH : Oh Mark. I don’t even know what to say.
MARK : I know. I stood there until a car burned rubber and snapped me back, and I realized I still had to come tell you. So I started home. But we have to go back.
60’s RUTH : Go back? To the church?
MARK : Yeah, I mean I don’t even know the last time I set foot in a church, but I know something happened.
60’s RUTH : I don’t know if I’ve ever been to church. What do I do?
MARK : I have no idea. All I know is something or someone said follow me, and I had a choice to make.
60’s RUTH : Well I don’t think I’ve seen you like this, so I do believe something happened. I don’t know what to think but I’ll go with you.
MARK : I don’t know what to think either. All I know is that people can choose what they want, but as for me, I’ll choose to follow this. And I’d love you to do it with me.
60’s RUTH : Ok babe. I dig it. Let’s go.
Scene XIII
(A CHURCH. THE TWO WALK IN AND LOOK AROUND UNCOMFORTABLY. THEY SIT IN SOME SEATS, UNSURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH WALKS IN, TAKEN BY SURPRISE.)
PASTOR : Oh, wow. I’m sorry I didn’t expect anyone to be here.
60’s RUTH : I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you.
MARK : Yeah sorry. Are you closed?
60’s PASTOR : This is a church. God’s house is always open. What brings you all here tonight?
MARK : Well I don’t know for certain.
60’s RUTH : (BLURTS OUT) Mark is going to Vietnam.
PASTOR : I see. That’s tough. Would you like prayer?
MARK : I don’t know. I can’t remember the last time I prayed.
PASTOR : I have to believe God led you here for a reason.
MARK : Yeah I don’t know how to say it, but I think He led me too.
PASTOR : I believe He walks with us on the mountain tops and in the valleys.
MARK : Maybe but me? I’m not worth it? I’m so……
PASTOR : Imperfect? Broken? Flawed?
MARK : Yes to all of it.
PASTOR : Folks, that’s called being human. All of us fall short. In the book of Romans, Paul says as much. Do you mind if I read from my bible?
60’s RUTH : No of course not.
PASTOR : This is Paul writing to the Roman people about this very topic. In Chapter 3 verse 23 he says ”For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
MARK : So that makes me just like everyone else?
PASTOR : More or less, I guess.
MARK : Cool but that still leaves me falling short with God doesn’t it?
PASTOR : Yes. Yes it does.
60’s RUTH : Oh. So that’s hopeless.
PASTOR : Not quite. Let me finish reading this. Paul continues with the good news. “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
MARK : I don’t know that I get it.
PASTOR : First of all, I don’t know that we always have to “get it.” (USES AIR QUOTES). You said you think God led you here. How do you know?
MARK : I was just walking and I don’t remember time passing, or it getting dark, and I just ended up…here. I looked up and saw the cross in the window, and something happened…inside me.
PASTOR : The ways of God are not always easily explainable. But He spoke to your heart, not your ears.
MARK : Yeah that’s actually how it felt.
60’s RUTH : But how does it work. I hear what you’re saying about understanding, but there must be something, like what do you mean by justified freely or redemption and his grace?
MARK : Yeah if we all fall short and God created us, why not make us all perfect.
60’s RUTH : That would’ve been easier.
PASTOR : Well because God desires relationship with us, true intimate relationship and what you’re describing is basically a race of robot beings with no free will.
60’s RUTH : Yeah I guess.
PASTOR : Ruth, does Mark love you?
60’s RUTH - (LAUGHS) Well yes.
PASTOR : Would it mean as much if he had absolutely no choice but to love you.
60’s RUTH : (THINKS FOR A MOMENT) I guess not.
PASTOR : Right. He chooses to love you and that’s what makes it real. Same with your love for him.
MARK : Ok that makes sense to me. We have choice to love and follow God.
PASTOR : We all do and that’s something we have to decide. And if we are imperfect, and God is a perfect God, there needs to be a bridge.
60’s RUTH : A bridge?
PASTOR : Jesus Christ.
MARK : Jesus. The cross.
PASTOR : Yes. “God so loved the world that he sent his only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
60’s RUTH : The bridge. Jesus IS the redemption for our imperfections.
PASTOR : Yes. For all who believe.
MARK : How do we get it. What do we do?
PASTOR : You pray.
60’s RUTH : I don’t even know how.
PASTOR : You ask God. You repent. And you profess. Not just with your mouth, but with your heart. That’s where God exists.
MARK : Then what.
PASTOR : Then you choose. Everyday you choose to serve The Lord. Let’s pray.
(ALL BOW THEIR HEADS IN PRAYER.)
(LIGHTS OFF.)
SCENE XIV
(LIGHTS UP ON RUTH ALONE IN HER HOME. SHE IS READING A LETTER. THE ACTUAL LINES WILL BE READ AS A VOICEOVER BY MARK, AS RUTH IS READING THE LETTER.)
MARK : V.O. : Hey Ruth. This is by far the longest time we’ve ever been not seeing each other. I hope you and Jess are doing ok. Heck, I hope this actually gets to you. It’s chaos to say the least. But I’m not writing to tell you about all that junk. There’s a lot we don’t know right now, one guy said we may get home by summer, but I have no idea if that’s even true. It’s real hard lots of days. I keep going back to what that Pastor said, we choose everyday. Doesn’t matter the circumstance though some are way harder. I am making that choice every day to serve God in whatever way I can, in the midst of this nightmare. I even been talking to some of the guys about Jesus, and there’s a few that are real into it. That parts been cool. I’m able to have a bible with me and I am reading whenever I can. It’s weird but even here, I have times of that same feeling I got when I first saw that cross. So I’m making the choice, and you have to also. No matter what. I know you don’t want to hear this but who knows how this is all gonna work out. I want you to choose every day to serve The Lord. Again, No matter what. Remember I love my girls.
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE XV
(LIGHTS UP ON THE FAMILY IN THE MODERN DAY. ALL ARE SOMBER, LOOKING AT RUTH. IT’S QUIET FOR A MINUTE.)
SARAH : Oh grandma. I had no idea.
RUTH : It’s ok. That was the last letter I ever got from your grandfather. I got word within the month that…he was gone.
JOSHUA : (PUTS HIS HAND ON RUTH’S SHOULDER) I wish I could’ve known him.
JESSICA : Yeah I knew it was hard for you mom, but you always kept your faith.
RUTH : Honey faith isn’t dependent on how things are going. It’s been hard for people from the beginning.
JESSICA : You never wavered in what you taught us.
RUTH : Well it was up to me at that point.
JESSICA : Oh how I do wish sometimes it could’ve been different for you.
RUTH : Of course I do as well sometimes, that’s natural. But I guess even Jesus asked for it to be different.
PAM : What? Jesus.
JOSHUA : Yes even for Jesus.
JESSICA : Hard to believe but it says in the book of Matthew.
RUTH : In the end though, He was perfectly submitted to God, under the hardest of circumstances.
(LIGHTS OFF.)
SCENE XVI
(LIGHTS ON JESUS PRAYING IN THE GARDEN.)
JESUS : Oh Father, if it’s possible, let this cup pass from me, never the less not my will but your will be done.
(HE STANDS, LOOKS UPWARD AND WALKS OFF STAGE.)
(LIGHTS OFF)
SCENE XVII
(LIGHTS BACK UP ON THE FAMILY.)
JESSICA : Sometimes I don’t know how you did it.
RUTH : Honey your father’s experience ignited something, then it ended up being me who was responsible for keeping that fire burning for all these years.
JESSICA : And now because of you, we are keeping it burning too.
AVA : And I’m going to also
PAM : Me too.
SARAH : Grandma, I understand why now and it’s changed something for me. I want to keep it burning also.
RUTH : That makes me happy to hear.
JOSHUA : I think that’s exactly what we all need to remember, especially this time of year.
JESSICA : May we all choose this Christmas to stand and serve the Lord.
RUTH : Amen to that. Now let’s start celebrating.
(THE THREE KIDS STEP TO CENTER STAGE TO READ JOSHUA 24:14-15)
PAM : Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river and in Egypt. Serve the Lord.
AVA : And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves, this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Ammorites, in whose land you dwell.
SARAH : But as for me and my house. We will serve The Lord.
(LIGHTS OFF)
END
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©Matthew Kirkwood, All rights reserved.
This script may be used free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged to a performance. In exchange, the author would appreciate being notified of any occasion the poem is used in public performance. He may be contacted at: