If Christ Had Not Come

If Christ Had Not Come Written by Dwayne Moore, Sonia Moore and Virginia Moore www.nextlevelworship.com ACT I M/C: (Walks into a small spotlight in the center stage) Welcome to our drama! The setting is a modern-day city sidewalk in a large small town. The date: December 24 th. The time: around 10 PM. The theme: This is a world where Christ has never come. He was never born. He never died. This is the way it may have been if Christ had not come. (As the lights come up, they reveal a dismal city sidewalk with a storefront on the stage left and a single door on the stage right. Above the door hangs a sign which reads Joe s Place/Live Entertainment. Signs in the storefront window indicate that New Year s sales and celebration are taking place. There is snow on the sidewalk and windows. One or two passer-bys hurry along the sidewalk. After a few moments, two guys open the door of Joe s Place and step out.) Mack: (shutting the door behind him; both are laughing, appearing to have had "one too many") What a night! Charlie: It s just starting to get good in there. Crowd s off though. Mack: (pause) Hey, you got a light? Charlie: Afraid not, man. Mack: Man, I need a light. (pause) It must be twenty below out here. (pause) So tell me, Charlie, what s your big plans for the holiday? Charlie: What else? Me and my old lady are gonna party all night! Mack: Now you re talking. I ll tell you, New Years is the best holiday all year. It s the only one where I can get wasted one year and stay that way till the next! Charlie: Oh yea, that is the life! In fact, I wish it was a holiday right now. Let s see, (looking up thoughtfully) what s today? Mack: (looking at watch) Well, in a couple hours it ll be December 25. Charlie: Yea, December 25, that ought to be some kind of holiday. (pause) How bout we call it National Partier s Day! Mack ck: Hey, that would be even better than New Year s. (Passer-by comes through. Charlie and Mack nod and say, Howdy do but passer-by keeps his head down, not acknowledging them.) 2007 Dwayne Moore All rights reserved. 1

Mack: (watching the passer-by walk on down street) People aren t very friendly on the eve of (placing much emphasis) National Partier s Day, are they? (Question hangs in the air for a moment) Charlie: (reflectively) You know, Mack, my best memories of living s been when I partied so long that I couldn t remember any memories. (laughs under his breath) (leans against wall with a skirmish grin) Yea, Mack, booze and women: that s my definition of living! Mack: Hey, talking about booze and women. They re both waiting for us just inside that door. Charlie: Well, what are we waiting for? (As they turn to go in) What is it they say? Let us eat, drink, and be merry Both: for tomorrow we die! (They laugh scornfully as they go back into bar). Mack: Man, that s a joke. Where d that come from anyway? Charlie: I don t know. Some religious book (disappears into bar) (Another passer-by walks through) (After a few more seconds, a mother and her small son enter the scene from stage left. The mother is dressed in near rags and her son is wearing an old, tattered jacket.) Mother: (holding her son by the hand) Don t worry, honey. We re going to be alright. Someone will come along and help us. I promise. Tommy: But mommy, I m cold. (coughing as though he is sick) Mother: (crouching down and snuggling son in arms) I know, honey. I know. I m cold too. (Tommy begins to cry) Ah, don t cry. Mommy s here. We re going to make it. I promise. Mommy s going to take care of you. (holds him at arm s length and looks him in the eye) Some kind person is liable to come by here just any minute and offer us some food to eat and a warm place to sleep. Now what do you think about that? Tommy: Do you think they ll give us some candy? Mother: Yea, they might even have some candy for us. Tommy: I feel better already! I hope he comes soon! (coughs again abruptly) Mother: (snuggles him in her arms again) I do too, baby. (with a hopeful, but unsure tone) I do too. (After a few moments, a passer-by scurries through carrying several small, brightly colored packages) Mother: (rises quickly when she sees passer-by) (to Tommy) Wait right here, honey. (approaches man and says) Excuse me, sir. Passer-by: (stops but only turns his head to acknowledge her) Huh? 2

Mother: I can see you re in a hurry. But I was just wondering if you had a minute to help us. As you can see, my little boy is very sick and Passer-by: Listen, lady. Do you see these packages? Mother: Yes Passer-by: Well, they re for my daughter. Her birthday party was tonight and these gifts are for her. She was expecting me to be there by 8 and seeing it s after 10, I m really running late. I don t need her anymore upset than she is already is. So hope you don t mind, lady, but I really need to be going. (starts to walk again) Mother: Oh, please help us. Passer-by: Sorry, lady (turns again toward her) And good luck on finding someone around here that will help you. (Mother sighs deeply as Passer-by disappears. About that time, two teenagers walk by.) Mother: Ah, excuse me, could you help us Teenagers: Sorry, mam, but we gave at the office. (laugh scornfully and never stop walking) (Mother stands helplessly watching them walk away.) Tommy: Mommy, has he come yet? Mother: (hesitantly) No honey, not yet. (looks around, then heads toward storefront window and peaks in, then knocks on door desperately. As she knocks, Tommy begins to cough again very harshly. She crouches and lays her hand on his forehead as if checking for fever.) Tommy: Mommy, please hold me. Mother: Ok, honey, Mommy ll hold you. Tommy: (catches sight of the family through the house window on the far stage right.) Hey, look over there. Who lives there mommy? Mother: I don t know, honey. Tommy: Maybe they could help us. Mother: Well, why don t we just go over there and ask em. What do you say? (Tommy nods happily. Then they both walk over toward the window. Before knocking, Mother looks in through the window to the conversation inside. The family is seated around a table, except for the mother who is bringing some glasses of tea to the table. Frank is busy reading the paper. Beth is doing her nails. And Joey is looking disgustedly at his father.) 3

Francis: Well, Frank, are you going to answer your daughter? She at least deserves an answer. Frank: (still fixed on paper) What did she say? Francis: She asked you if you were going to make her go to the synagogue tomorrow night for the Shabbot service. Frank: (toward Joey) Beth, what has the answer always been? You know we go every Friday night. Beth: Yea, but dad. I wanna go to the big end-of-the-year party. All my friends will be there. Come on, Dad. I'm almost 18. When will let me go out and have some fun on a Friday night? Don't you trust me? Frank: Trust has nothing to do with me. We go to the synagogue on Friday evenings - and no where else. End of discussion. (goes back to reading paper) Beth: (sits down disgustedly) (away from her father) I'm tired of going to the synagogue all the time. I don't know why we go anyway. Everybody gets bored (turning toward her dad) and you fell asleep in the service again last week, dad! Joey: (chimes in) Oh yea, that was the funniest thing, dad. Old Sister Schostak heard you snoring and reached over and popped you on the head with her purse. It was awesome. Frank: (not humored) Ok, so I get a little sleepy. But we're a Jewish family and we celebrate the Sabbath every Saturday. That means we go to the Shabbot services on Friday nights, always have, always will. (returns to reading) Beth: But I don't want to go to some stupid Shabbot service! When are you going to let me do what I want to do? Frank: (standing to his feet frustrated) The day you no longer live under my roof! You're not going to some party. You're going with us to the synagogue and that's that. And I'd better never hear you call it "stupid" again. Beth: Well, the first chance I get I won't be living under this roof. I'm sick and tired of the whole mess. (starts to run out) And I'll call it "stupid" if I want to. (runs out of house and down the street) (Mother and Tommy stand in the shadows until she's gone.) Francis: Now you've done it. Aren't you going to go after her? Frank: (sitting back down to read) (toward his paper) She's fine. She'll be back. Joey: You're not gonna make me go if you don't make him go, are you? (Frank ignores him.) Francis: (thoughtfully) I think Beth made a good point. Why do we keep going week after week? 4

Frank: Because that's what we do. (cocking head toward Francis impatiently) I think I've made that rather clear. Francis: But don't you ever get tired of having to observe so many rituals all the time? What's the use of it all anyway? To be honest, I just don't get much satisfaction out of religion anymore. Fact is, I get about as much out of staying at home and watching CSI on the television as I do going to the synagogue. Come to think of it, there's not much difference between them. Frank: (laying his paper aside) What are you getting at? Francis: Well, the actors on CSI are acting out characters that are not really theirs. And we're acting out convictions that are not really ours. Frank: I don't know. Maybe you've got a point. (pause) But things will be different when the Messiah comes. Francis: Oh surely you don't really believe that. We've been looking for this (sarcastically) so-called "Messiah" for thousands of years and he hasn't come yet. He's not coming Frank. It's all a big myth. (pause) (thoughtfully) I sometimes wish he had come. Maybe the world would be a different than it is. Maybe we'd be a lot different. Frank: Francis, all I know to do is observe the Sabbath and the laws and keep hoping he'll come one day. That's all we can do. This topic is not open for discussion anymore. (starts reading paper again) (Lights fade slightly on family. Tommy tugs at his mother to break her concentration.) Tommy: Mommy? Mother: Yea, honey. Tommy: Do you think they'll help us? Mother: I don't know, Tommy. Maybe we shouldn t ask them right now. (On that cue a man pushing a fruit cart enters stage left. As he pushes, he whistles in a detached, uninterested manner. Only a second later, a nicely-dressed lady and her daughter come from behind him and walk past him. The rich lady never acknowledges the peddler, but the daughter is intrigued by the fruit.) Daughter: Buy me some oranges, mother. Rich Lady: But darling, you don't need any oranges. You know you never eat them. They just lie there and rot and smell despicable for days. Daughter: Yes, but I want some. Rich Lady: Well, ok, anything for my little princess. (Both turn around and walk back to the peddler who has stopped hoping for their business.) 5

Peddler: Evening, mam (takes off his dirty old cap) Evening little lady. Is there anything I can help you with tonight? Rich Lady: My daughter and I wish to see your very best oranges. Peddler: That would be these mam. (Rich lady and daughter take them and examines them carefully.) Rich Lady: (after feeling around on them in a most unexcited manner) Oh, these oranges are unusually soft. Peddler: Yes mam, we peddlers prefer to call them "mushy." Rich Lady: "Mushy?" What a disgusting word. Why are these "mushy" ones your best ones? Peddler: Well, that's simple. Because the mushier they are the juicier they are. And everyone loves juicy oranges. Rich lady: Um, I see. Well, I normally purchase our fruit at the supermarket. But under the circumstances, to please my little princess, I'll take three. Peddler: Wise decision, mam. You won't find better even at Wal-Mart! And would you like them in a bag? Rich Lady: Oh, you can afford bags? Yes, please. And how much will be that be? Peddler: a dollar fifty Rich Lady: (hands him money from purse) Thank you my dear man. You have a good evening. Peddler: Thank you mam. Same to you. Rich lady: (starting to leave) Oh and by the way, I don't shop at Wal-Mart. (As they walk on, the daughter notices the mother and Tommy standing over in the shadows. Tommy is helplessly staring at the orange the daughter is about to eat. Daughter pauses; Rich Lady turns toward them as well.) Daughter: (Looking at the orange and the little boy) Should I, mother? Rich Lady: You'd best not, my darling. You know what your father says about giving to beggars: You do them a favor when you ignore them and don't give them anything. That way they'll have to get out and work for it themselves. Daughter: But mother, they look so helpless. Rich Lady: Come on my little princess, we must be getting home to father. They'll be ok. (Exit stage right) 6

(Peddler begins pushing his cart again and whistling. Mother and son approach the peddler.) Mother: Excuse me, sir. Would you consider giving my little boy some fruit? He's very sick and he hasn't eaten in two days. I would offer to buy some, but I have no money. Peddler: Sorry lady, but no money, no food, that's my motto. (He walks on.) Mother: (falling on knees pleading) Oh, please, sir, I've got to get my son some help. He can't last much longer without food. Can't you show us enough kindness to at least spare a bruised or unwanted apple? Please, I am begging you. Help us, we re desperate. We have no place to turn. Peddler: Gee lady, since you put it that way, here. (Hands them a few apples) Mother: Oh thank you, thank you! (Mother hands the apple to Tommy, who eats it immediately) Peddler: Yea, yea sure. But you gotta understand, I meet up with people all the time who are just looking a free hand-out. Why, most of them have more money than I do. They just want somebody to give 'em something. (Mother rises to her feet.) Are you sure you're not one of them? How'd you get yourself in this predicament anyway? Mother: If I tell you our story, will you believe me and help us? Peddler: (shrugs his shoulders) We'll see. Mother: Well, where do I start? (pause) My husband lost his job several months ago. He s been looking for work, but had no luck finding anything. With no money coming in, our bills started piling up. We had no money for food or rent. Then he started drinking. He said it made him forget about his troubles. The more he drank, the meaner he became to Tommy and me. He blamed us for his situation and threatened to hurt us. Last week, he became so violent, he started hitting me. I knew we had to leave. So one evening, after he had passed out on the couch, we left. I just knew we would find someone to help us. Peddler: How long have you been out in this cold? Mother: This is our third night. Peddler: And no one has offered to help you? Mother: A few have said they wished they could. A couple even gave us a dollar or so - to make themselves feel better I guess. But no sir, no one has really wanted or offered to help us. I know it's hard to believe, but it s the truth. Peddler: Yes mam, it sounds pretty convincing. Mother: Then you will help us? Peddler: I didn t say that. Lady, have a seat. Let me tell you my story. (pause) I don't 7

have any problem believing you. You see this fruit cart here? Me and this fruit cart go way back. For some thirty years now we've been roaming these streets trying to make a living, just getting by. Lady, I ain't learned too much in these thirty years, but I have learned one thing for sure. If you're gonna get anything in this life, you're gonna have to get it on your own, cause there ain't nobody out here that cares about you and your son. Lady, they only care about themselves and what they can get out of you. You see, I wasn't always a fruit peddler. Why, one time I had the world by the tail. Everything was going my way. I had a good job, a beautiful family, a nice home and cars, you name it. All the things a guy needs to make him happy I had. But one day my world came crashing down. I lost that good job and as a result, I lost my home, cars, even my family turned their back on me, I found myself out in the cold with no place to go. Once a self - sufficient and successful man, now just a helpless, dirty bum. Sad story, isn't it? (Mother nods in pity) Yea, I always thought so too. So I told a few people my sad story hoping to find someone to show some compassion toward me. I didn't find that person. Oh sure, I had people give me a few dollars. A few put me up for a night or two but I guess I was an inconvenience to them, so back on the street I went. I kept telling myself I'd get back on my feet, but I couldn't even get a job. Nobody wanted to hire a bum - and to them that's what I was, a no-good bum. You see, sleeping in dumpsters don't make you smell too good. So, no job, no money and no money meant no job. I wasn't even given a chance. Mother: Oh, I'm so sorry - Peddler: Don't be. After thirty years I'm used to it now. Besides, it doesn t matter anyway. Mother: What do you mean? Of course, it matters! Peddler: Oh, then tell me to whom? - to whom does it matter? Nobody's gonna miss us when we're gone. Most won't even remember our names. Nobody cares. We'll are so busy trying to find a little happiness and satisfaction for ourselves that we ain't got time to care for anybody else. And you know the irony of it all? (pause) No matter how hard we try, we never find any real satisfaction; there's just none to be found. So you see, it really doesn't matter. We're just living till we die. We might as well make the best out of a bad situation. Mother: (in despair) So you're telling me that there's no hope to be found. There's no one who really cares for us. Peddler: Lady, there may be someone somewhere, but if there is, he sure hasn't come my way yet. Mother: (drops head and begins to cry) No, no, you are wrong, it can't be true. (Peddler wags his head and walks off) (suddenly) I just know someone will help us. Somebody's got to care. (runs over to family door and knocks loudly. After a few moments Frank comes to door.) Frank: Yea? Mother: Oh please. Could you just put us up for the night? My little boy is very sick and we have no where to go. Oh please, please sir. Frank: Just a minute. (A few seconds elapse, the Frank pitches a blanket out the door.) That's the best we can do. Try somewhere else. 8

Mother: (totally distraught) No, no, you don't understand. Frank: Sorry, lady. Go to Joe's Place. They always take in strangers. (shuts door) (Mother stands there totally helpless. She slowly begins to turn around. Tommy interrupts the silence.) Tommy: Mommy? Mother: Yes? Tommy: Why hasn t he come? Is he not gonna come? Mother: Who? Tommy: You know, someone to help us. Mother: (hesitates) No honey, he hasn't come. Perhaps he never will... (Lights down) END ACT I 2007 Dwayne Moore All rights reserved. 9

ACT II M/C: (Walks into a small spotlight in the center stage) If this play had to end with Act 1, we would all be in a most sad condition, wouldn t we? Hopeless is the more appropriate word. For in Act I we saw what our world might look like if Christ had never come. But thank God He did come. So, let s return to that same city sidewalk. Let s go back to that same date and time, December 24 th around 10 PM. Now, we re going to see the very same people we were introduced to in Act I. In some of these people you won t notice much chance. But watch closely, because certain characters are very different than the way they were in Act I. Their surroundings haven t changed, but their attitudes and their outlook on life has done a 180 degree turn around. It s like the difference in night and day. Why are they so different now? The answer is simple: They were each impacted by one solitary life. You see, the world in Act II is a world where Christ did come (As the lights come up, they reveal a decorated city sidewalk with a storefront on the stage left and a single door on the stage right. Above the door hangs a sign which reads Joe s Place/Live Entertainment. Signs in the storefront window indicate that Christmas sales and celebration are taking place. There is snow on the sidewalk and windows. After a few moments, carolers appear stage right singing. They stop in front of Family s door. Frank opens door and family gather to listen. After song, family thanks them and they leave singing.) Mack: (comes out of bar, appearing to have had one too many ) (to passer-by) Hey buddy, you got a light? (Passer-by walks on by shaking his head) Mack: (to himself) Man, I need a light. (pause, acting cold) It must be twenty below out here. (to Charlie who s walking by) Hey man, do have a cigarette? Charlie: Afraid not, man. Mack: Charlie? Is that you? Charlie: Mack! Hey man! Yea, long time no see! How you doing? Mack: Ah man, what a night dude! It s just starting to get good in there. Crowd s off though. Why don t you come on in and join me? Charlie: Naw man, I can t do that. Mack: Ah come on, Charlie, you ll love it. It ll be like ole times. What do you say? Charlie: I better not, buddy. Thanks anyway. Mack: (reluctantly) Well, alright. But you do know what day it s gonna be in (looks at watch) about two hours, don t you? Charlie: Yea, Christmas. 2004 Dwayne Moore All rights reserved. 10

Mack: So you are gonna party, right? Charlie: No Mack, not this time. Me and my wife are gonna celebrate Christmas at home. Mack: Dude, have you flipped a circuit? Is this the Charlie we all know and love? Man, you never wanted to stay home with your old lady before. What s up with you? Charlie: (reflectively) You know, Mack, I gotta tell you something. Used to, my best memories of Christmas was when I partied so long that I couldn t remember any memories. (laughs under his breath) (leans against wall ) But now, that s all changed: Now it s my family and my faith in Jesus Christ: that s my definition of living! Mack: I can t believe I m hearing this, man. You re acting really weird. (Church bells ring in distance) Charlie: Hear that, Mack? Mack: Hear what? Charlie: The church bells, man. Actually that s where I m going right now. Mack: Church? You re going to church? Dude, you never did that before. You have changed. Charlie: Yea, I have for the better. Why don t you go with me? Mack: To church? (scoffing) No thanks. No, my motto is Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow I die! Speaking of that, I m going in there right now (motioning toward bar) and get merry. Charlie: Well, suit yourself. But I am going to pray for you. Mack: Whatever, dude. Catch you later. (Mack disappears into bar; Charlie heads on down street and out of sight.) (Another passer-by walks through) (After a few more seconds, a mother and her small son enter the scene from stage left. The mother is dressed in near rags and her son is wearing an old, tattered jacket.) Mother: (holding her son by the hand) Don t worry, honey. We re going to be alright. Someone will come along and help us. I promise. Tommy: But mommy, I m cold. (coughing as though he is sick) Mother: (crouching down and snuggling son in arms) I know, honey. I know. I m cold too. (Tommy begins to cry) Ah, don t cry. Mommy s here. We re going to make it. I promise. Mommy s going to take care of you. (holds him at arm s length and looks him in the eye) Some kind person is liable to come by here just any minute and offer us some food to eat 11

and a warm place to sleep. Now what do you think about that? Tommy: Do you think they ll give us some candy? Mother: Yea, they might even have some candy for us. Tommy: I feel better already! I hope he comes soon! (coughs again abruptly) Mother: (snuggles him in her arms again) I do too, baby. (with a hopeful, but unsure tone) I do too. (After a few moments, a passer-by scurries through carrying several small, brightly colored packages) Mother: (rises quickly when she sees passer-by) (to Tommy) Wait right here, honey. (approaches man and says) Excuse me, sir. Passer-by: (stops but only turns his head to acknowledge her) Huh? Mother: I can see you re in a hurry. But I was just wondering if you had a minute to help us. As you can see, my little boy is very sick and Passer-by: Listen, lady. You do realize this is Christmas Eve? Mother: Yes Passer by: I ve got to get these gifts home to my kids. My family was expecting me by 8:00 (looks at his watch) and since it is already past 10:00 I m really running late. They get really riled if they don t get what they want, when they want it. I hope you don t mind lady but I really need to be going. Mother: Oh please help us. Passer by: Sorry Lady. And considering it s Christmas Eve its going to be really difficult to find anyone who has enough time to help you. (Mother sighs deeply as Passer-by disappears. About that time, two teenagers walk by.) Teenager: Hey what do you want for Christmas this year. Other Teenager: I don t know. What are you asking for? Mother: Ah, excuse me, could you help us Teenager: Sorry Teenager: Yea. Sorry. (Mother stands helplessly watching them walk away.) Tommy: Mommy, has he come yet? 12

Mother: (hesitantly) No honey, not yet. (looks around, then heads toward storefront window and peaks in, then knocks on door desperately. As she knocks, Tommy begins to cough again very harshly. She crouches and lays her hand on his forehead as if checking for fever.) Tommy: Mommy, please hold me. Mother: Ok, honey, Mommy ll hold you. Tommy: (catches sight of the family through the house window on the far stage right.) Hey, look over there. Who lives there mommy? Mother: I don t know, honey. Tommy: Maybe they could help us. Mother: Well, why don t we just go over there and ask em. What do you say? (Tommy nods happily. Then they both walk over toward the window. Before knocking, Mother looks in through the window to the conversation inside. The family is seated around a table, except for the mother who is bringing some glasses of tea to the table. Frank is busy reading the bible. Joey is trying to sneak a peek inside a Christmas present, and Beth is looking disgustedly at her father.) Francis: Frank, do you see what your son is doing. Frank: Joey, you know better than that. If I have to wait, you have to wait. Joey: Aw Dad. I don t know if I can wait until tomorrow. Francis: Let me tell you a little secret. If it were not for me, your dad would have already opened all of his Christmas presents by now. (Francis and Joey break out into laughter) Frank: Shhhh! (Frank notices his daughter is rather silent.) Frank: Beth, is something bothering you? Beth: Amanda called again. Frank: What did she want? Beth: She asked me if I could go shopping with her tomorrow. Frank: I thought you already told her you couldn t. Beth: Well not exactly. I told her I was not sure yet. Frank: Beth, you know that handing out fruit baskets to shut ins at Christmas is 13

something we try to do together as a family every year. Beth: But dad, I haven t gone shopping all week. There s some really cute shoes I m just dying to get. Frank: How do you plan to pay for them? Beth: With the money grandma is giving me for Christmas! Frank: But you haven t got any money from grandma yet. Beth: Yes, but if I can use your credit card, I ll pay you back as soon as I do! Frank: (sighs and shakes his head) Beth, which is more important to you? Beth: I know I ought to help you hand out the fruit baskets, but I just want to do something different. Frank: Beth, it is not helping us that makes it so important. It s helping those shut-ins. Showing them how much we care about them. That s what you need to consider. Beth: I know this sounds bad to say but, I get tired of going every year. I really don t get that much out of helping them. Frank: Well, it s your decision. Do whatever you feel is best. Beth: You mean I can go shopping? Frank: Sure (playfully taunting and waving his credit card) But you better be finding some money cause you re not getting my credit card. Beth: (frustrated) Dad! (Beth gets up to get her coat and heads to the door) Frank: Where are you going? Beth: Over to grandmas to collect my Christmas money! I ll be back in time to open my gifts! (Beth exits) Francis: Well you d better be. Joey: You re not gonna make her help tomorrow? Frank: No Joey. She s old enough to start making a few of her own decisions. I trust her. Francis: I think you were wise in not making her go with us tomorrow. Frank: Why is that? 14

Francis: Because if she had gone, it would have been going more out of obligation, not desire. It s no wonder she gets tired of it. She does not enjoy it. We used to be the same way Frank. You know as well as I do, we just went to church because thought we ought to. If we went to help someone, it was just to keep us from feeling so guilty. But now, I get so much satisfaction out of attending God s house and helping others. I no longer feel like we are acting out a part. Frank: What do you mean? Francis: Well, like actors, we acted out convictions that were not really ours, but now since our hearts have been changed, we serve God because we desire to please Him.. Frank: You ve got a good point. Things have been so different, since Christ came into our lives. Francis: Frank, lets pray that God will speak to Beth and show her her need for Christ in her life, then she too will be different. (The Family kneels down together to pray and the lights go down on that scene) Tommy: Momma, can they help us. Mother: I don t know honey. Maybe we shouldn t disturb them right now. (On that cue a man pushing a fruit cart enters stage left. As he pushes, he whistles Joy to the World.. Only a second later, a nicely-dressed lady and her daughter come from behind him and walk past him. The rich lady never acknowledges the peddler, but the daughter is intrigued by the fruit.) Daughter: Buy me some oranges, mother. Rich Lady: But darling, you don't need any oranges. You know you never eat them. They just lie there and rot and smell despicable for days. Daughter: Yes, but I want some. Rich Lady: Well, ok, anything for my little princess. (Both turn around and walk back to the peddler who has stopped hoping for their business.) Peddler: Merry Christmas to you nice folks. Is there anything I can help you with tonight? Rich Lady: My daughter and I would like to see some of you very best oranges. Peddler: That would be these, mam. Rich Lady: Ooh, these oranges are unusually firm. 15

Peddler: Well yes, mam. I never sell mushy ones. Rich Lady: Mushy? That is such a disgusting word. What are mushy oranges? Peddler: Well, mushy oranges are very soft oranges. Most peddlers around here try to push them off by saying that they are the best because they are so juicy. The truth is they re just old. Rich Lady: Oh I see. Well I have certainly found better oranges than these in my Supermarket. But under the circumstances, to please my little prince, I will take three. Peddler: Oh, wise decision Mam. You won t find better oranges than this at Wal-Mart! Would you like them in a bag? Rich Lady: Oh you have a bag? Yes, please. How much will that be? Peddler: A dollar fifty, mam. (The peddler bags the oranges and gives them to the rich lady. She in turn gets an orange out of the bag and gives it to her daughter) Rich Lady: (hands him money from purse) Thank you my dear man. You have a good evening. Peddler: Thank you for your business, Mam. And do have a merry Christmas. Rich Lady: Yes, and same to you. (starting to leave) Oh and by the way, I don't shop at Wal-Mart. (As they walk on, the daughter notices the mother and Tommy standing over in the shadows. Tommy is helplessly staring at the orange the son is about to eat. Daugher pauses; Rich Lady turns toward them as well.) Daughter: (Looking at the orange and the little boy) Should I, mother? Rich Lady: Oh darling. You know what your father would say. Daughter: But mother, they look so helpless. Rich Lady: Well, since it s Christmas Eve, I guess. (Leaning into her daughter) but lets not give them YOUR orange. Here (she hands her daughter a dollar who gives to Tommy) This way they can get something themselves. Mother: Thank you. Rich Lady: Don t mention it. Good Bye. (They then exit the stage) (Peddler begins pushing his cart again and whistling. Mother and son approach the peddler.) Mother: Excuse me, sir. How much can we buy for a dollar? 16

Peddler: Well, probably more than you think. What do you want? Mother: Oh, we re not choosy, but my son really likes apples. Peddler: What s your name son? Tommy: Tommy. Peddler: So you like apples aye Tommy? Here. Here s you a sack full. (The mother attempts to hand the peddler her dollar) Peddler: Oh no, mam. Please, keep your money. Consider it my Christmas gift to you. Mother: We certainly appreciate it sir. We were getting pretty desperate. We have not eaten in several days and Tommy s cold is getting worse. Peddler: Well here son. Take my coat. (the mother puts the coat around Tommy s shoulders.) And let me see, how about this for you young lady. My fruit can do without it. They are used to the cold weather. Mother: You are too kind. Peddler: Oh, I m glad to do it. So tell me, what is a young mother and her child doing out so late on Christmas Eve. Mother: It is sort of a long story. You may not have time to hear it. Peddler: I have no deadlines to meet. Mother: Well, where do I start? (pause) My husband lost his job several months ago. He s been looking for work, but had no luck finding anything. With no money coming in, our bills started piling up. We had no money for food or rent. Then he started drinking. He said it made him forget about his troubles. The more he drank, the meaner he became to Tommy and me. He blamed us for his situation and threatened to hurt us. Last week, he became so violent, he started hitting me. I knew we had to leave. So one evening, after he had passed out on the couch, we left. I just knew we would find someone to help us. Peddler: How long have you been out in this cold? Mother: This is our third night. Peddler: And no one has offered to help you? Mother: A few have said they wished they could. A couple even gave us a dollar or so, but no sir, no one has really helped us. And you know, to tell you the truth, I don t think anyone really wants to. I have almost lost all hope. (she bows her head and hugs Tommy) Peddler: Mam, I don t have much money. A man just doesn t get rich pushing a fruit 17

cart. I can t help you a whole lot, but I know someone who can. Mother: But, would he want to help us? We have nothing to offer in return. Peddler: Yes Mam. I m sure he wants to help you.. He doesn t expect anything in return. You ve told me your story. Have a seat there and let me tell you mine. (The mother and Tommy have a seat on the nearby bench.) See that old fruit cart there? Me and that fruit cart go way back. For some 30 years now we ve been roaming these streets now trying to make a living the best we can. I have not always been a fruit peddler though. There was a time when I thought I had the world by the tail. Everything was going my way. I had a good job, beautiful family, fine home, cars, you name it. Everything I needed to make me happy. Then one day my world came crashing down. I lost everything. I found myself alone and in the cold with no place to go. Once a self sufficient man of the world, I became a helpless dirty bum. Sounds like a sad story doesn t it? (Mother nods her head) Awe, but it s really not. True, the world showed no compassion on me. When I no longer fit in, they just cast me aside. But it s not really a sad story at all. For while the world only loved me when I was popular and made them look good, I met a man who loved me not based on the way I dressed or who I knew, but He loved me for who I was. When this world had let me down, He picked me up. When the world had thrown me away, He dug me out. I still push a fruit cart for a living. I don t have much of what this world offers, but I found a joy and satisfaction that this world will never understand. I guess you could say that, when I had lost all I had, I found all I need. Mother: So you re telling me that there is hope to be found. There is someone who really cares for us? (Peddler nods his head). Oh, what s his name? Please tell me his name. Peddler: His name is Jesus. He s the reason we celebrate Christmas. (Carolers ooh on Silent Night offstage; lights up on children posing as Mary & Joseph in front of manger) He came to this earth almost two thousand years ago as a little baby. A virgin, named Mary, gave birth to Jesus in a city called Bethlehem. (angels & shepherds come into manger scene) Angels announced his birth and told the shepherds were they could find the Messiah. Have you ever wondered why people place a star on top of their Christmas tree? (wise men enter scene) That s because some wise men followed a star all the way to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus, the Savior of the world. But you won t believe what they found. Jesus wasn t born in some big castle or fancy home; He was born in a manger, which was basically a barn where pigs and cows and goats lived. The scriptures tell us that when they saw the baby Jesus, they fell at his feet and worshiped him. Then they presented to him their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (lights down on children s scene; choir ends) (pause) Unfortunately, not everybody was like the wise men. Fact is, only a few recognized that Jesus was the promised Messiah sent from God Not many followed him. But that didn t stop Jesus. He just kept on loving everybody. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind; He met the needs of every person that came to him. Mother: Wow, I ve never known anyone like that. Peddler: Nobody had. There s never been anybody like Jesus. He was Emmanuel, which means God with us. God had literally come to earth, down to where we are. (mother, son & peddler freeze as lights dim on them; soloist sings O Come, O Come Emmanuel with choir) Now what I m about to tell you is gonna shock you. Do you realize what those people - you know, the ones he was so kind to - Do you know what they did 18

to Jesus? (Mother shakes her head) Peddler: (continuing) (Carolers ooh on Here I Am to Worship while video clips from The Passion coincide with peddler s narration) They put him on trial for claiming to be the Son of God. They shouted and screamed crucify him. They shoved a crown of long sharp thorns down on this head; they mocked him and spit on him. They beat him with whips until his body was raw. Then they led him up a hill. A hill called Calvary. There they stretched his battered body over a huge cross and they nailed large spikes into his hands. And then they dropped that large cross in the ground. The scriptures tell us that they sat down and watched him there. They watched him bleed and they watched him die. Mother: But how could they kill him after all he had done for them? Peddler: The same way that we killed him. Mother: (alarmed) We killed him; what do you mean? Peddler: Oh yes, it s true. We re just as responsible for his death as they were. You see, it s really our disobedience and wrong-doing that nailed Jesus to that cross. It wasn t just their sins, it was ours. But that was all a part of God s plan. (takes Bible out of pocket) Look at this verse that s highlighted. What does it say? (holds Bible open for her to see) Mother: (as though reading from Bible) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Mother: I ve never heard that before. (pause as he puts Bible in his pocket) But, you told me that you had met this man. You said he had helped you and that he wanted to help Tommy and me. How could that be true if they killed him? Besides, Jesus lived a long time ago, you said. I don t understand. How could this man help us? Peddler: Oh dear lady, I haven t finished the story yet. You see, three days after he died, he came back to life. He conquered death and the grave just like he said he would. He s alive. He s alive today. He not only wants to be our Savior and Lord. He wants to be our very best friend. Mother: (excitedly) So, will you introduce me? Where is He? I want to meet him. I need to meet him. Peddler: He s right here with us at this very moment. The Bible says, Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. All you have to do is call out to him in humility and sincerity and he will come and be Lord, Savior and friend to you just like he did to me. Is that what you want to do? Mother: Oh yes. Yes I do. Peddler: Then just bow your head and ask him, and he will. (Mother bows her head silently and asks Jesus into her heart) 19

Mother: Thank you. Peddler: dler: Jesus heard your prayer. You re now his child and he will help you. (Beth enters the conversation) Beth: I could not help but overhear what you were telling them. I just thought that you might want to know that when she prayed that prayer, I prayed it too. Peddler: Well that is great. What s your name? Beth: Beth Peddler: Well Beth, I m glad you just happened by! Beth: Me too. Hey, my house is just right over there. Why don t you both come in and get warmed up? You re even welcomed to spend the night if you want too. Tommy: Do you have any candy? Beth: Oh, we ve got all kinds of candy. Any thing you want. Peddler: Thanks for the invitation son, but I need to be gettin on home. You take care of these two. Perhaps the Lord had chosen you to help them. Good night and God bless you all. (Peddler starts pushing his cart) Mother: Thank you. Thank you, sir. (Mother turns toward Beth) Are you sure your family won t mind Tommy and me coming in? Beth: No. It would be our privilege. (Beth opens the door to his home.) Mom and Dad, I m back. I ve got some visitors with me. Frank: Bring them in, Beth. Mother: Oh wait. We will be back in just a minute. I ve got to return the peddler s coat and blanket. Beth: Ok, but hurry back. Frank: Beth, where are our visitors? Beth: They had to return something. They ll be right back. Joey: I thought you were going to grandmas to get your (sarcastically) shopping money? Francis: What did you come back for, Beth? Beth: Well, a little while ago I started thinking about what Dad said about priorities. I 20

started feeling guilty, so I came back. Frank: We re glad you did, Beth. Beth: Me too, because on the way back something awesome happened. Francis: What? Beth: An old peddler was talking to this mother and her son about the story of Jesus in a way I ve never heard it told before. Mom, Dad, I gave my heart to Jesus tonight. (The whole family rejoices together) Frank: Beth, that s incredible. Praise the Lord! Beth eth: Dad, now I am going to go tomorrow to help with the fruit baskets, because I want to, not because I have to. And I know that is what pleases Jesus. (Father stands up and puts his arm around Beth) Frank: Yeah Beth. Jesus does make the difference. (Lights come back up on Mother and Tommy) Tommy: Mommy? Mother: Yes honey. Tommy: He has come, hasn t he? Mother: Who? Tommy: You know. Someone to help us? Mother: (raising open palm and looking up joyfully) Yes Tommy. He has come. (Carolers sing Isn t It Amazing or similar praise song) END ACT II 2007 Dwayne Moore All rights reserved. 21