THE GIFT

By Kerrie Polkinghorne 2010 CHARACTERS Santa Helper (elf) Girl 1 Girl 2 Gabrielle Gerard Elf 1 Elf 2 Extra Elves Niles Warwick Joseph ar! "ab! Jes#s Shepherd 1 Shepherd 2 Shepherd $ Shoppers

Settin%& 'he pla! is initiall! set in 'he a%ic (ave in a )epart*ent Store and later *oves to Santa+s Workshop at the North ,ole and later still to the stable in "ethlehe* where Jes#s was born-

SCENE 1 THE MAGIC CAVE CHRISTMAS EVE!EVE "2#R$ $EC% The Department Store is full of the hustle and bustle of busy shoppers. Santa and his Helper are at the Magic Cave, attending to a steady line up of excited children, ready to present their Christmas wishes on Santa s lap. S&n'& Hel(er S&n'& Ho ho ho. err! (hrist*as Eve Eve. /nl! two *ore sleeps bo!s and %irls. Santa+s %ot a b#s! few da!s ahead. 0o#+ve had a lon% line to %et thro#%h toda!1 Santa2 s#re have Jo1 b#t that+s /3- 4fter all1 (hrist*as is all abo#t the presents. 4nd for *e1 it+s all abo#t %ivin% the presents o#t. Ho ho ho. !To the boy at the front of the line" 2t+s !o#r t#rn now1 son-

Hel(er

The boy steps up and sits on Santa s lap. S&n'& Boy 1 S&n'& Boy 1 Nintendo WiiS&n'& Hello there1 !o#n% *an- What+s !o#r na*e5 Josh#a4nd what wo#ld !o# like for (hrist*as1 Josh#a5 2 want a racin% car1 a 'ransfor*er1 and the new

!Chuc#ling" 'he new what5 Wait a *in#te1 *! helper will need to %et that down- )id !o# %et that1 Jo5 6acin% car1 'ransfor*er1 and special napp! of so*e kind- 'hat+s it wasn+t it1 a wee5 J#st kiddin%- Have !o# been a %ood bo! this !ear5 !$oy nods" /3 then1 err! (hrist*as1 Josh#a-

$oy % exits and next girl sits on Santa s lap. Girl 1 S&n'& Girl 1 Hi Santa. 2+* Hello ichaela. ichaela1 err! (hr--

!&nterrupting" 'his !ear for (hrist*as co#ld 2 please have a p#pp! do%1 a pool1 the new "rat7 doll1 a ,oll! ,ocket1 a piano1 so*e sparkl! shoes1 so*e textas and a *o#ntain of Starb#rstsWow1 that+s 8#ite a list there-- do !o# reall! need all 0es of co#rse- Wh! wo#ld 2 tell !o# otherwise5 Well1 2 %#ess- "#t !o#+re %oin% to have to pro*ise to be reall!1 reall!1 extra1 extra %ood and help a lot aro#nd the ho#se- 2 don+t know if the a%ic Wareho#se stocks all those

S&n'& those thin%s5 Girl 1 S&n'&

thin%s at the *o*ent b#t we+ll see how we %o1 alri%ht5 Girl 1 S&n'& !'unning off" 'hanks Santa. !To Helper" Goodness *e. So*e children are ver!-opti*istic. Who+s next5 !To (irl )" Hello there-- co*e on #p here1 sweetheart-

(irl ) !(abrielle" is a shy little girl who is wearing a gorgeous angel costume. She wal#s *uietly over to Santa who sits her on his lap. S&n'& !o#r na*e5 )on+t !o# look prett! in !o#r lovel! an%el o#tfit. What+s

G&)rielle GabrielleS&n'& Gabrielle1 what a lovel! na*e- What wo#ld !o# like for (hrist*as this !ear1 Gabrielle5

G&)rielle Nothin% for *e1 Santa- 2+* here beca#se 2 have a %ift for !o#Here- !Hands him a star decoration" S&n'& Well thank !o#1 Gabrielle1 how sweet of !o#. 2t+s ver! prett!err! (hrist*as1 Santa-

G&)rielle 2t+s a lot *ore than that-

(abrielle exits, leaving Santa with the star. S&n'& shrugs" !To Helper" Well. What do !o# *ake of that1 Jo5 !Helper

In'er*o+ 4ttention shoppers1 the shoppin% centre will be closin% in ten *in#tes- ,lease finalise !o#r p#rchases and *ake !o#r wa! to the checko#ts- err! (hrist*as and thank !o# for shoppin% at Westfield toda!S&n'& Wow is it that ti*e alread!5 'i*e for a few last wishes and we+ll have to call it a da! folks. "#t 2+ll see !o# to*orrow1 and then it+s off in *! slei%h to deliver all !o#r presents- 4fter all1 that+s what (hrist*as is all abo#t.

Santa puts the star decoration aside and attends to one more child. His helper pac#s up while the lights start to go out and the music stops. Santa and helper start to ma#e their way out of the store. Hel(er S&n'& What a da!1 Santa- 4ccordin% to *! records1 !o# %ot sat on b! two h#ndred and twent!9ei%ht backsidesHo ho ho. 4nd 2 bet that n#*ber will be do#bled to*orrow :

(hrist*as Eve is alwa!s hectic- "#t now it+s back to the North ,ole to deliver toda!+s %ift list- !'ealising he s forgotten it" /ops. Nearl! for%ot the list. 0o# %o on ahead and 2+ll ;#st dash back to %et itHelper exits and Santa returns to the Magic Cave to grab the list. +pon doing so he notices the star decoration that (abrielle gave him. He goes to pic# it up, and the moment he does, a rustling sound is heard behind a Christmas tree, which causes him to drop it. The sound stops. Santa loo#s around cautiously, then slowly pic#s up the star. ,gain the sound is heard, and then stops. Thin#ing it might be a robber, Santa grabs a giant candy cane as a defence weapon, tip-toeing toward the sound. He pulls the Christmas tree away and is about to stri#e, the man shrie#ing in fear. He is ex*uisitely dressed with fine .ewels, and a posh accent. Ger&r, !Cowardly" )on+t shoot. )on+t shoot.

S&n'& !/eapon poised" ,#t !o#r hands #p. (erard loo#s bewildered at the candy cane weapon, then proceeds to put his hands up. 0o#+re *etic#lo#sl! well9dressed for a robber1 don+t !o# think5 Ger&r, <#ite ri%ht1 8#ite ri%ht- 2ndeed 2 a* not what !o# call a robber1 a thief1 a pick9pocketer1 a bandit1 crook or b#r%larNa! 9 *! na*e is GerardSanta (la#s- !0utting the weapon down, and suddenly panic#ing" /h no-- are !o# the *ana%er5 2+* terribl! sorr! sir for the *is#ndersta-No no1 2+* nothin% of the sort- 2+* act#all! a bit lost- 'o be *ore precise1 2+ve lost so*ethin%1 and 2+* tr!in% to discover the whereabo#ts of its *isplace*ent/h /31 well what is it Gerard5 2 *i%ht be able to help Well essentiall!1 if !o# break it down1 it+s defined as a celestial bod! of hot %ases that radiates ener%! derived fro* ther*on#clear reactions in the interior!Confused" 6i%ht- !1oo#ing around" Nope- Nothin% here/h *! apolo%ies1 let *e break it down for !o# in ter*s that are *#ch *ore co*prehensible to the la!person- -- 2t+s one of those self9radiatin% twinkl! thin%s that are visible at ni%ht fro* the Earth- !Still no response" What+s the word5-- 4 star/h a star-- wh! didn+t !o# ;#st sa! that5 Well1 stars are

S&n'&

Ger&r,

S&n'& !o# o#tGer&r,

S&n'& Ger&r,

S&n'&

%enerall! fo#nd o#tside1 Gerr!Ger&r,

a!be tr! that-

2t+s Gerard thank !o# (la#s!1 and no it+s a different star4ccordin% to *! astrolo%ical calc#lations it+s in this vicinit! so*ewhere- 4nd it+s ver!1 ver!1 ver! special!'ealising and hiding the star in his poc#et" Special1 is it5 /3-let+s have a look aro#nd-- !*uic#ly loo#s around" No1 sorr!1 no si%n of an! star- Sorr! abo#t that Gerr!1 better l#ck next ti*e- 2 %otta %o 9 poles to be and elves to see1 !o# know. 'a ta. !2xits" 2t+s Gerard !o# %iant redskin.

S&n'&

Ger&r,

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SCENE 2 SANTA0S 1-RKSH-P THE N-RTH P-2E Santa s wor#shop is humming with activity as the elves busily craft, wrap and pac# presents, ready for tomorrow night s despatch. Santa enters .oyfully. S&n'& All S&n'& El3 1 Ho ho ho. Good evenin% ever!one. Good evenin% Santa. How are thin%s co*in% alon% this evenin%5 Good evenin% sir1 we are ri%ht on sched#le for to*orrow ni%ht+s depart#re- 'he reindeer are in top shape and we+re ;#st abo#t to hit two *illion presents>er! %ood1 ver! %ood all of !o#Santa1 do !o# have toda!+s list with !o# sir5 4h !es1 the list- Here !o# %o- Nearl! for%ot it tho#%h-- 2+* losin% *! *arbles a bit these da!s.

S&n'& El3 2 S&n'&

Santa hands 2lf ) the gift list, who ta#es it away for processing. Santa inspects the wor# being done, but is distracted by a noise coming from behind a Christmas tree. &t sounds li#e men tal#ing, with the occasional 3ssh45. Santa goes over to the tree and moves it, revealing (erard and two others, in similar smart attire. They stand fro6en, li#e deer in headlights. Ger&r, !0ause" ..Enchantin% evenin%1 isn+t it5 ?

S&n'& Ger&r, N41 S&n'& Ger&r,

Gerard. What are !o# doin% here5 4nd who are these two5 /h how ver! disco#rteo#s of *e- Santa please allow *e to introd#ce to !o# two fellow collea%#es1 Niles and WarwickGood evenin% pleas#reA etcr (la#s@Greetin%s Sir@How do !o# do@2t+s a

4re !o# stalkin% *e or so*ethin%5 'his is private propert! !o# know. Elves. ,lease escort these *en to the %ates/h no please Santa. Bor%ive o#r #nco#th intr#sion1 please allow #s to offer an explanation. 2t is not !o# we are stalkin%1 b#t rather the afore*entioned celestial bod! of hot %ases that radiates ener%! derived fro* ther*on#clear reactions in the interior-

Santa loo#s at them blan#ly. 1&r5i*k S&n'& Ger&r, 'he star1 sir/h !es the star- Well1 2 alread! told !o# Gerard1 2 don+t know where it is/n the contrar!1 sir- We have reason to believe that it resides in the side co*part*ent of !o#r slacks-

Santa loo#s at them blan#ly. Nile6 0o#r pocket1 sir-

Santa waits for a moment, then gives in. S&n'& Ger&r, 1&r5i*k S&n'& /h fine1 fine1 whatever- !Ta#es it out" Here1 !o# have it1 if it will stop !o# obsessin% over it!Shoc#ed" /h no sir1 we don+t want the star. We si*pl! want to track itWhat he *eans1 sir-!&nterrupting" 2 know what trackin% *eans- "#t what 2 don+t #nderstand is what on earth !o#+re on abo#t- Have !o# been overdosin% on e%% no%5 4s delicio#s and n#tritio#s as the protein9rich bevera%e *a! be1 2 ass#re !o# that+s not the case1 sirWe+ve onl! had two1 and the! were on the wa!- >er! nice indeed!7rustrated" 0o#+re testin% *! patience *en1 2 s#%%est !o# %et to !o#r point fast- !0uts star bac# in poc#et" We are astrolo%ers fro* the far East1 sir- We have been C

Ger&r, 1&r5i*k S&n'& Nile6

p#rs#in% this partic#lar star for *onths1 as we have reason to believe it will lead #s to so*ethin% extraordinar!- So*ethin% #ni8#e- So*ethin% incredible. 1&r5i*k S&n'& Ger&r, 2t is o#r solitar! *ission and we will follow it for ti*e i**e*orial if that it what+s necessar!1 sir. What do !o# want *e to do with it1 then5 We si*pl! want !o# to do with it what !o# wo#ld have otherwise done1 had we not conta*inated the sit#ation-

Santa loo#s at them blan#ly Nile6 4t ease- (arr! on- J#st act nat#rall!- Go back to doin% whatever it was !o# were doin%1 with no re%ard to o#r presenceWe will si*pl! watch fro* a distance0o#+ll watch5 Watch what5 0o# sir- We will keep an e!e on the star at all ti*es1 which we have noticed !o# ret#rned to !o#r pocket #sin% !o#r ri%ht th#*b and index fin%er- We %#arantee that o#r presence will not dist#rb standard workshop proced#resWhatever1 2 don+t have ti*e for this- 2+ve %ot work to do- 2+ll deal with !o# three at the end of the ni%ht>er! %ood sir- Bab#lo#s sir-

1&r5i*k S&n'& Ger&r,

S&n'& Ger&r,

Santa goes bac# to chec#ing up on things and helping elves do their wor#, the three men watching his every move. 1&r5i*k ,ra! tell1 what is that astonishin% contraption1 Santa5 2 do love the colo#rs1 tho#%h red and %reen are a little clichD1 don+t !o# think5

Santa tries to ignore. Nile6 1&r5i*k 'hat workbench is an /cc#pational Health1 Welfare and Safet! ha7ard waitin% to happen1 don+t !o# think Warwick5 <#ite ri%ht1 8#ite ri%ht- 2 do hope there are no accidents-

Santa is getting more and more agitated. Ger&r, 2 do hope these elves are %ettin% paid the award rate- What is the c#rrent %oin% rate1 Santa5

Santa snaps.

S&n'&

/3 that+s it. 2+* %ettin% rid of this st#pid star so !o# can leave *e alone once and for all-- !He goes to ta#e the star out of his poc#et, but it s gone." F*-- !1oo#ing around" 'he star. Where+s the star5 What+s happened to it5. !Sheepishly" 2t *#st+ve fallen o#t *! pocket when 2 was packin% %ift boxes- Except 2 have no idea which box it fell into-- 4nd the!+ve all been taken o#t for despatch with the two *illion others'wo *illion5. We+re doo*ed. !,ll panic#ing" What a travest!.@2t+s a catastrophe.@Epic fail.@What a world. 2+* sorr! lads- 'here+s nothin% we can do- 4nd we won+t allow !o# to ta*per with an! of the boxes- 'he!+re %oin% strai%ht into the ho#ses of bo!s and %irls across the world to*orrow ni%ht1 care of /peration 6#dolph!Thin#ing for a moment" 'hen b! obvio#s concl#sion1 we+ll si*pl! have to acco*pan! !o# on !o#r ;o#rne!Wait-- what5 'here+s no wa! !o#+re co*in% with *e- 'here+s not eno#%h roo* on the slei%h and the reindeers si*pl! wo#ldn+t be able to do their ro#nds in ti*e with all the excess wei%htNonsense. 2t will be done- 'o*orrow eve we will *eet o#r destin! : the starred box will lead #s to the Savio#r. 'he who5 'he essiah- 'he pro*ised one-

Ger&r, S&n'&

Ger&r, N41 S&n'&

Ger&r, S&n'&

Ger&r, S&n'& 1&r5i*k Nile6

'he 3in%. His na*e shall be Wonderf#l (o#nsellor1 i%ht! God1 Everlastin% Bather1 the ,rince of ,eace- He will r#le fro* the throne of his ancestor )avid1 and his kin%do* will never end. !Sarcastically" /h !es. 2 do recall hi* sittin% on *! lap. 0es that+s ri%ht-- his wish was to behead the three stoo%es with f#nn! accents- Gentle*en1 if !o#+ll exc#se *e1 2 have so*e serio#s sheep to co#nt before a lon% da! aheadSanta1 we be% !o#- What ti*e shall we *eet for depart#re to*orrow eve5

S&n'&

Ger&r,

Santa hesitates for a moment, then resigns. S&n'& Ger&r, "e here at 1G p-*- sharp- )o not be late6o%er that sir- See !o# at 'went!9two h#ndred ho#rs H

to*orrow for /peration 6#dolph- I'il then sleep ti%ht and let !e not the bed b#%s biteS&n'& Get lost-

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SCENE # THE MAGIC CAVE CHRISTMAS EVE $usiness is hectic at the department store, with shoppers swarming in and out li#e headless choo#s. The line of children at the Magic Cave is growing longer by the minute. Santa is acting very strangely, running everywhere and spea#ing *uic#ly, frantically rushing through children. S&n'& Girl 2 S&n'& Girl 2 S&n'& Hel(er S&n'& What+s !o#r na*e little %irl5 Well1 it+s-'hat+s a lovel! na*e- 4nd what wo#ld !o# like for (hrist*as this !ear dear5 (o#ld 2 please have a-4 barbie doll : s#re thin% darlin%- 0o# %ot that1 Jo5 !'ushing (irl off his lap" alib# "arbie for the c#te little %irl here- Next. Santa. Slow down a bit. 'he kids have been %ettin% scared-and 2 think that one wet his pants/h nonsense Jo-- kids are alwa!s wettin% their pants and cr!in% abo#t thin%s- 2+* on a ti%ht sched#le-- 2 need to leave ri%ht on nine so 2 can be at the North ,ole for lift9off at nine9 thirt!)idn+t !o# tell the three stoo%es ten o+clock5 0es-- well1 2+ve %ot a ;ob to do and those ;okers are si*pl! %oin% to r#in ever!thin%- 2 can+t afford to *ake that sacrifice4fter all1 (hrist*as is abo#t presents1 not a celestial bod! of hot %ases and peace princes. Good plan1 Santa- !'ushing" Who+s next please5 H#rr! #p. <#ickl!. !0ushing #ids along" Hello Santa. !Still rushing" Hi kid1 what+ll it be5 Jo can we %et dot points onl! fro* now on please5

Hel(er S&n'&

Hel(er Boy 2 S&n'&

Boy 2

2+d like a new heart for *! #ncle Si*on1 who has had three bi% operations and is ver! sick--

Santa spots a girl in an angel outfit and races after her, dropping the boy. S&n'& He! !o# there. He!. 0ep s#re kid-- new /peration "oard %a*e-- no worries-- Gabrielle-- stop. !He reaches the girl only to find it s not (abrielle.) /h- Sorr! abo#t that- 2 tho#%ht !o# were-- never *ind!Horrified, comes over to Santa" Santa. Get a hold of !o#rself. What on earth is wron% with !o#5 !2mbarrassed" Nothin%-- Sorr!0o#+ve %ot a line #p a *ile lon%- Ket+s stick to the pro%ra*1 /35 S#re1 !ep- !,loud" Ho ho ho. err! (hrist*as ever!bod!.

Hel(er S&n'& Hel(er S&n'&

Time goes by, with Santa attending to children one by one. In'er*o+ 4ttention shoppers1 as o#r (hrist*as %ift to !o#1 the shoppin% centre will be extendin% its tradin% ho#rs to 1G p-*this evenin%- 'hank !o# for shoppin% at Westfield toda!1 and we wish !o# all a ver! err! (hrist*asS&n'& Hel(er What5 N/. 'hat+s not ideal-

SCENE 7 THE N-RTH P-2E Santa enters to find the three men sitting in the sleigh carriage, map outstretched, discussing the best route. Ger&r, S&n'& Ger&r, Here co*es Santa (la#s1 at lon% last. Bor so*eone on a ti%ht sched#le !o# are awf#ll! tard! !o# know)on+t start1 GerardNever fear1 the astrolo%ers are here. We+ve *apped o#t a s#pre*e fli%ht plan1 startin% with Greenland and finishin% in 'as*ania- We don+t expect there to be an! inhabitants in the 4ntarctic so this see*s like the *ost convenient ro#te4nd to preserve ti*e 2+ll take the *ilk and Niles will take the cookies2+* lactose intolerant so 2+ll onl! eat the so! ones-

1&r5i*k Nile6

1G

S&n'& Ger&r,

Hold !o#r horses1 what+s %oin% on here5 Who said !o# co#ld take over *! operation5 With all d#e respect Santa1 we are astrolo%ers and as s#ch we have the *ost knowled%e abo#t inter%alactic aerona#tical conditions2 don+t care who !o# are1 2+* the captain here and 2 sa! %et off. 4ll of !o#. /ff.

S&n'&

They step out and Santa steps in, the elves handing him the necessary e*uipment and doing the final touches before lift off. Ger&r, Nile6 1&r5i*k S&n'& !Dramatically" "#t Santa. ,lease don+t leave #s behind. 'his is o#r life destin! and callin%. /#r ver! reason for livin%. ,lease don+t kill #s Santa. ,lease don+t let #s die. /3 that+s eno#%h- Kook1 this slei%h won+t hold two *illion presents and the fo#r of #s- 2+* onl! prepared to take one of !o#- 2t+s either that or nothin%- 0o# choose!Conferring with others, then stepping out dramatically" >er! well sir- & will step #p to the proverbial plate. 2 will do what has to be done. 2 will %o where no *an has %one before1 save this extraordinar! and noble captainSh#t #p and %et inWoohoo. !8umps aboard" Hold on ti%ht1 this is one sweet ride- Go )asher1 %o )ancer1 %o ,rancer and >ixen. Go (o*et1 %o (#pid1 %o )onna and "lit7en. Go 6#dolph1 %o.

Ger&r,

S&n'& Ger&r, S&n'&

SCENE 8 -PERATI-N R.$-2PH T9 M+S&C: Santa and (erard fly through the night, visiting homes and delivering presents. (erard is a novice and ma#es clumsy mista#es, #noc#ing things over and nearly wa#ing children. ,t the end of the night all the presents have been delivered and no sign of the so-called Saviour. (N-"- 'his scene co#ld be a video scene if chosen)

SCENE 9 THE N-RTH P-2E ,n exhausted Santa and (erard return to where ;iles, /arwic# and

11

Helper are waiting anxiously. They rush to meet them. Nile6 1&r5i*k Ger&r, Nile6 Ger&r, 1&r5i*k Ger&r, S&n'& Hel(er Ger&r, S&n'& Ger&r, Gerard. Where did the star lead !o#5 )id !o# *eet the Savio#r5 What happened5 What did he look like5 What did !o# sa!5 )o tell. Sorr! *en- Balse alar*- None of the boxes led #s to the Savio#rWhat5 See*s we were *istaken abo#t the star after all"#t-- we can+t be. We were so s#re- So *an! *onths of research and travel2+* sorr! Warwick- 2t+s ti*e to %o ho*e now!To Helper" Jo1 the reindeer are callin% it a ni%ht- (an !o# send the* off to their #s#al spot for a rest5 (ertainl! sir- !2xits" ! sincerest apolo%ies have ca#sedr (la#s for the inconvenience we

)on+t worr! abo#t it GerardWe wish !o# all the ver! best for !o#r f#t#re endeavo#rs(o*e *en1 we *#st ret#rn to o#r Eastern ho*e-

The Helper rushes bac# with a gift box. Hel(er Ger&r, Santa. 2 was ;#st abo#t to fl! the reindeer off when 2 fo#nd this : it *#st+ve fallen behind the seat or so*ethin%'he star. Hoorah.

The three men cheer. S&n'& Hel(er S&n'& Nile6 S&n'& Ger&r, What na*e does it have on it5 !1oo#ing" 'he Savio#r1 Jes#s (hrist!To the men" Ever!one in. "#t where are we %oin%5 Jo was abo#t to send the* off to their favo#rite restin% spot in "ethlehe*- What do !o# know abo#t that5 L2n "ethlehe* of J#dah1 !o# are not ;#st a lowl! villa%e of J#dah1 for a r#ler will co*e fro* !o# who will be the shepherd 12

for *! people 2srael-M Ket #s %o henceforth and worship hi*. S&n'& 2+* drivin%-

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SCENE : BETH2EHEM The group arrives in $ethlehem, but it s nothing li#e what they expected. &t s *uiet, dusty and smelly. Nile6 1&r5i*k S&n'& Ger&r, S&n'& Ger&r, S&n'& 2t certainl! is 8#iet aro#nd here2sn+t there a cens#s happenin% here5 4h !es1 b#t it+s the ni%ht before (hrist*as1 when all thro#%h the ho#se not a creat#re is stirrin%1 not even a *o#seWhere are we s#pposed to %o precisel!5 Not reall! s#re1 Jo #s#all! does this ;ob4nd !o# didn+t consider it worthwhile to ask hi* for directions5 2 for%ot1 /3-

, baby s cry is heard in the distance. Ger&r, 'his wa!1 follow *e. !They all exit."

SCENE ; STAB2E The three men enter an animal stable and loo# around. They see two teenagers and a baby, wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. Ger&r, !<uietly" Kook. 'he vir%in will conceive a child. She will %ive birth to a son1 and the! will call hi* 2**an#el1 which *eans IGod is with #s+-M

The men open the gift box to find the star, as well as gold, fran#incense and myrrh. They present the gifts to 8oseph and bow before the baby 8esus. 1&r5i*k Jes#s1 kin% of the Jews- We worship !o# and bow before !o#-

Santa is pee#ing in, trying not to be seen. The reverent moment is soon bro#en by a hoard

1$

of shepherds, who bust in, bringing Santa in with them. He tries to hide behind people and animals. She(her, 1 "li*e!1 here he is. We *ade it1 fellas.

She(her, 2 Strewth. Sorr! to b#st in like this ever!bod!- 'his *#st be the special little tackerM&ry 0es this is Jes#s1 o#r son- God+s sonShe(her, # /h he+s %or%eo#s- "o! do we have a stor! to tell.

She(her, 1 Ket *e tell it- 2t happened ;#st toni%ht when we were o#t in the paddock ro#ndin% #p the J#*b#cks- 'here we were1 *indin% o#r ,s and <s1 !o# know how it is- 'hen all of a s#dden1 ca7a*. 'his bi% white sheila co*e o#t of nowhere. She(her, 2 She(her, 1 She(her, 2 She was an an%el1 eh2+* tellin% the stor!. 4h sh#t !er cakehole-

She(her, 1 4n!wa! this an%el was bri%ht like the s#n1 scared #s half to death1 it was a corker. She said L)on+t be afraid. 2 brin% !o# %ood news of %reat ;o! for ever!one. 'he Savio#r : !es1 the essiah1 the Kord : has been born toni%ht in "ethlehe*1 the cit! of )avid. 4nd this is how !o# will reco%nise hi*& 0o# will find a bab! wrapped in cloths and l!in% in a *an%er-M She(her, # 'hen s#ddenl!1 the an%el was ;oined b! a whole crew1 like the ar*ies of heaven- 'he! were all praisin% God1 sa!in% LGlor! to God in the hi%hest heaven1 and peace on earth to those with who* he is pleased-M She(her, 1 So 2 was like1 Lstrewth.M

She(her, 2 We decided to co*e to "ethlehe* to see this a*a7in% thin% that the Kord had told #s abo#t-- and here !o# areShe(her, 1 What sho#ld we call !o#-- sir1 !o#r hi%hness1 !o#r *a;est!-<o6e(h His na*e is Jes#sJes#s : what an hono#r-

She(her, 1

The shepherds bow, exposing Santa who is trying to hide. <o6e(h S&n'& 0o# there-- what are !o# doin% behind there5 Who-- *e5 F*1 2 was ;#st--

1=

<o6e(h

No need to be sh!1 co*e o#t-

Santa stands up and comes closer. S&n'& <o6e(h S&n'& <o6e(h S&n'& Hi there-- Santa+s the na*e- !Sha#es 8oseph s hand" Joseph- 4nd this is *! wife ar!-

How do !o# do *a+a*- Sorr! 2 best be %oin%-- 2+* not reall! in the ri%ht placeNot at all- ,lease sta!Well1 act#all!1 *! ;ob is done for the ni%ht- 2+* a %ift9%iver1 !o# see1 and 2 believe (hrist*as is all abo#t %ifts- 0es 2 spend *an! ho#rs1 *an! da!s1 and *an! *onths *akin%1 sortin% and deliverin% %ifts to people all over the world- 2t+s reall! a ver! b#s! ;ob1 one that needs *e to be on task and alert twent!9fo#r ho#rs a da!- So with that in *ind1 2 reall! *#st be off--

Mary approaches him with the baby 8esus. M&ry S&n'& err! (hrist*as- !She hands the baby to him, before he has a chance to ob.ect" F*-- 2-- what are !o# doin%5 !He loo#s into the baby s eyes" Hello-- Jes#s- !0ause" 0o# have ver! nice e!es- )o !o# see what 2 see5 !He loo#s around" 2 see reverent *en on their knees in worship- !He pauses, then #neels with the baby in his arms" 2 hear !o# are the Savio#r of the world- !0ause, then whispers" (an !o# save *e5 !The others free6e"

N #sicO

SCENE = $EPARTMENT ST-RE In'er*o+ 4ttention shoppers1 as o#r (hrist*as %ift to !o#1 the shoppin% centre will be extendin% its tradin% ho#rs to 1G p-*this evenin%- 'hank !o# for shoppin% at Westfield toda!1 and we wish !o# all a ver! err! (hrist*asSanta is #neeling with the baby 8esus in his hands. He is in the centre of the shopping centre ;ativity Scene, with busy shoppers all around. Santa is bro#en out of the free6e by a familiar voice. G&)rielle Santa5 4re !o# /35 S&n'& !0lacing baby in manger and standing up" Hello Gabrielle- 0o# 1?

%ot !o#r wishG&)rielle 2 knowSanta steps out of the ;ativity Scene and sits down next to (abrielle. S&n'& 2 *et so*eone- So*eone ver! special- 4nd 2 realised that (hrist*as is not abo#t %ivin%- 2t+s abo#t the Gift- 4nd 2+ve been too b#s! %ivin% to stop and receive it for *!self- "#t now 2 will- 4nd 2+* %oin% to help others do the sa*e- !He stands up and addresses the shoppers" err! (hrist*as ever!one. No %ift lists toda!1 2+* %oin% to tell !o# abo#t the best %ift !o#+ll ever %et- His na*e is Jes#s (hrist and He is the Savio#r of the world. !2xits"

FA$E -.T/

P 3errie ,olkin%horne1 all ri%hts reserved- 'he script *a! not be reprod#ced1 translated or copied in an! *edi#*1 incl#din% books1 ()s and on the internet witho#t written per*ission fro* the a#thor'he pla! *a! be perfor*ed free of char%e1 on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in an! *edi#*1 nor an! entrance fee char%ed- 2n exchan%e for free perfor*ance1 the a#thor wo#ld appreciate bein% notified of when and for what p#rpose the pla! is perfor*ed- She *a! be contacted at kpolkin%horneQ%*ail-co*

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