A Christmas Play: The Unconquerable Light
Characters:
- Angel: The herald of Christmas, dressed in bright robes.
- Shepherds (2): Common folk who are the first to hear the good news.
- Three Kings: Wise men from the East, symbolizing knowledge, faith, and unity.
- Herod Magnate: Not a king, but a modern business oligarch. Greedy, cunning, and dressed in an expensive but tacky suit.
- Imp: Herod’s assistant, the embodiment of petty mischief and lies.
- Death: A cold, indifferent figure with a scythe.
- A Female Volunteer: A young woman with a determined gaze, holding a donation box.
- A Soldier: The personification of courage and protection, weary but unbroken.
- A Little Girl with a Lantern: A symbol of the future, hope, and childlike faith.
(The setting is a nativity puppet theater or an improvised stage. In the background is an image of a stable with the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus in a manger.)
SCENE 1
(The Shepherds enter, yawning and wrapping themselves in their coats.)
Shepherd 1:
What a night! Dark as can be.
Not a star in the sky, not a fire to see.
Just the wind whistling like a wild beast,
Chilling me right to the bone, to say the least.
Shepherd 2:
And my heart feels heavy, there’s a strange unease,
Like some great sorrow is riding the breeze.
The news from all over is grim and cold…
When will this sorrowful story get old?
(Suddenly, the Angel appears, illuminating the stage with a soft light.)
Angel:
Fear not, good people! Peace be unto you!
I bring you tidings of a joy that’s new!
Today in Bethlehem, in a humble place,
A Savior has been born for the whole human race, and for Ukraine’s grace!
Shepherd 1:
A Savior? In a manger? How can that be?
A king should be born in gold for all to see!
Angel:
His glory is not in power, but in love and truth!
He will bring light to a world of lies and ruth.
Go now and bow to the Lord’s holy child,
And gather His light, so pure and so mild!
(The Angel disappears. The Shepherds look at each other in astonishment.)
Shepherd 2:
Did you hear? A new hope is given!
Let’s hurry now, before the night has risen!
(The Shepherds go to the nativity scene and bow before the manger. From the other side of the stage, the Three Kings appear, led by a bright star.)
King 1:
From the East we travel, with wisdom our guide,
To greet the new Ruler, with nothing to hide.
I have brought gold—a symbol of His reign,
May His righteous power forever remain.
King 2:
I bring Him frankincense—a symbol of prayer,
For the triumph of faith and a spirit so rare.
May the spirit of the people be as strong as steel,
And may their will for freedom be ever so real.
King 3:
And my gift is myrrh. A sign of the pain,
And a memory of those who endured the strain.
Who suffered so much but never surrendered,
Until a new goodness to the world was rendered.
(The Kings also bow. A quiet carol, like “Silent Night,” begins to play softly.)
SCENE 2
(The atmosphere changes. Herod Magnate enters, speaking nervously into his smartphone. The Imp scurries behind him.)
Herod:
What?! A new King? Some new competitor?
Is this some new disruptive entrepreneur?
I’m the only boss here, the brand, the icon!
My capital is the only law to rely on!
Imp, go find out what this is all about!
Find me this child, and take him out!
Imp:
My lord, my boss, my corporate god!
I’ve already scouted the whole squad.
A little child was born in a cave,
And all the poor people have started to rave.
They say He brings love, hope, and faith…
He’ll destroy your bottom line, like a wraith!
Herod:
Love? Hope? Ha! How primitive!
That was a marketing angle I tried to give
last year! That trend is old! But… it scares me a bit…
Because my entire business model is built on deceit!
If everyone starts loving and trusting each other,
Who will be left for me to command and to smother?
(Herod notices the audience.)
Herod:
And what are you all gathered here for? Hoping for a miracle?
Waiting for some sign that’s biblical?
There are no miracles! Only discounts and BOGOs!
A clearance sale on dreams for all you bozos!
I’ll sell you happiness, a better fate!
But this child… I will obliterate!
(Death approaches Herod.)
Death:
Hold on, Herod. Your time has not yet passed.
But I can feel your end approaching fast.
You’ve sown too much evil, too much greed.
And your whole business plan is a worthless screed.
Herod (trembling):
Who are you?! Security! Lawyers! Get over here!
I’ll pay you off! Silver? Gold? Let me be clear!
Death:
You cannot buy everything, you foolish man.
And when the time comes, I’ll complete my plan.
(Death steps back into the shadows. Herod and the Imp recoil in fear.)
SCENE 3
(The Female Volunteer with a donation box and the weary but resolute Soldier enter.)
Volunteer:
I’m here again, looking for support.
The boys and girls at the front need supplies of every sort.
Every dollar is like a single brick,
Building the walls of our future, strong and quick.
Soldier:
I stand guard in the fields, under constant fire,
And in the sky, I see not fireworks, but burning pyres.
But in my heart, I hold something that hasn’t burned away—
A love for my home that gets me through the day.
Sometimes, my strength nearly disappears,
And darkness gnaws at my soul, feeding my fears…
Then I remember my family and all I hold dear,
And I know I must stand my ground and stay right here!
(The Imp runs up to them.)
Imp:
Hey you two, why suffer so much?
Come with me to Herod, he’s got the magic touch!
He’ll give you a warm office, weekends off, a great salary!
Why do you need this terrible war and gallantry?
Volunteer:
Get out of here, you fiend! Truth is our might!
We don’t sell our souls or our will to fight!
(The Imp runs away, tail between his legs. The Soldier and the Volunteer notice a Little Girl carrying a lit lantern.)
Little Girl:
Good evening… I heard that hope was born here.
So I brought my little light to bring it cheer.
My mommy told me that when you have lots of light,
The darkness disappears forever from your sight.
(She approaches the nativity scene and places her lantern near the manger. The light from it grows brighter and floods the entire stage.)
Soldier (in awe):
Look… from this small light… I feel… better.
The anxiety in my heart has broken its fetter.
Volunteer:
And I feel strength surging through me again!
This must be the power of Good reigning over men!
(The Angel appears.)
Angel:
Yes! The light born today is not in a palace,
But in the heart of every single common person!
It’s in the faith of the volunteer and the soldier, so callous
To fear! It’s in a tear of gratitude, and a child’s pure imagination!
Herod (shouting from offstage):
No! I won’t give up! I still have special offers!
Black Friday forever!
Death (walks across the stage, dragging Herod and the Imp):
Let’s go, businessman. Your sale has ended.
We have some special discounts in hell just for you intended.
(All the heroes (except the villains) gather by the nativity scene.)
Shepherd 1:
Christ is Born!
All Together:
Let us glorify Him!
Soldier:
May the light of Christmas illuminate every home!
May peace finally come, and never roam!
Volunteer:
May everyone find the strength to carry on,
To build a happy future from dusk till dawn!
Little Girl:
May all the Herods and all evil disappear!
And may our country, Ukraine, flourish year after year!
(All together, they sing a final Christmas carol, like “Joy to the World.” They encourage the audience to sing along, wishing everyone happy holidays, peace, and victory.)
- A wonderful Christmas play script.
- An excellent script for a Nativity play.
