“Mom, What Does Santa Claus and Reindeer Have To Do With Christmas?” (Copyright materials)

“Mom, What Does Santa Claus and Reindeer Have to Do With Christmas?”

A Children’s Storybook Script

Written by DemetriaShontae

Characters

Mother: Middle aged woman dressed nicely in wool trench coat with fur trim, and knee high black boots

Young Teen Daughter: Hair pulled in high pony-tail to the side in small black leather jacket, jeans, and biker boots

Santa Claus: Dressed in old-world suit

Three Wise Men: Dressed in dignified robes and cloaks with head turban

Mary

Joseph

Baby Jesus

Little Children and Extras

Props Needed

Barn/Stable

Snow Covered trees

Lambs

Reindeer

Three Horses or Camels

Christmas Trees with frost and lights

Large Shining Star atop tree

Gifts

Mistletoe

Cookies on Plate

Raisins, Carrots, Figs

Setting 1:  Main Town Square covered with holiday decorations the night before Christmas.  Wintertime with snow, lights on lamp post, people walking briskly past each other in a hurry to get last minute gifts before shopkeepers close.  There’s Santa Claus and reindeer in the middle of town near the gazebo with a few children trying to take a picture with him.

Setting 2: A manger in a barn or horse stable with small lamb.  Rugged looking in a desert like surroundings.  An Eastern Star sits high in the sky.  Cold weather.  Everyone is wrapped up.

Setting 1 – Mother and daughter walking down Main Street.

Mother:  Honey, I know you have a few years left in high school but I certainly hope when you go off to college that you continue going to church as I have raised you to do.

Daughter (frustrated):  Mom,  I’m not sure I want to continue with church.  Besides, I don’t even  know what Santa Claus and reindeer have to do with the birth of Christ.  I mean, what does all of the reindeer and Christmas trees have to do with anything religious?

(As they pass the gazebo where Santa is taking photos with children, the daughter pets the reindeer)

Daughter:  See, this doesn’t make any sense. It did when I was little and loved getting presents but not anymore.  What does any of this have to do with Christmas and church?

Mother:  Well let me explain it this way.

(Mother as narrator for Setting 2)

Mother:  The reindeer that carry Santa today represent the camel that the three wise men rode on to find baby Jesus.

(The three wise men enter riding camel, dismounting as they look up toward the Eastern star.  They walk toward Mary and Joseph who are in a horse stable.)

Joseph (looking toward the wise men):  This is the only place that they had because the inn is full and we only have swaddling cloth to cover our new born baby.

(The wise men kneel in a very slow, respectfully, and reverent manner toward the baby lying in the manger with lamb around.  They reach inside their traveling bags hoisted around them and each extend a gift to the baby.)

Magi 1 Melchior (gold cloak with turban):  I come bearing gold to praise the King of Kings.

Magi 2 Gaspar (green cloak with turban):  I come bearing frankincense to worship the Prince of Peace.

Magi 3 Balthazar (purple cloak with turban):  I come bearing myrrh for the sacrifice of the Son of God.

Three Wise Men:  We have come to praise and worship Jesus the Christ.

(Blackout)

Setting 1:  Main Town Square

Mother:  See, my child, we use a lot of symbols so that children can understand the story of the birth of Christ.  Santa Claus is all dressed up in a red suit, hat, and long beard to represent the Wise Men dressed in beautiful and colorful cloaks and wearing crowns and turbans.  And since they were older men, I’m sure that traditionally they had long white beards.  Santa’s reindeer represent the horses or camels that the Wise Men rode from east of Jerusalem to find Jesus.  So this is why we exchange gifts on Christmas and especially give presents to children.  To let them know that they are valuable and worthy, and that they are a child of the most high God.

Daughter:  Well then, what about all of the lights, trees, and decorations?  I mean, like, what does all of that have to do with Christmas and the birth of Christ?

Mother:  Since Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable, I pretty sure they were near the woods where they kept the horses and other animals.  The trees in the woods were covered in snow since he was born in Winter and I’m also pretty sure that fireflies and lightning bugs were flying all around lighting up the sky.  So, here you have it.  We use Christmas trees to represent the trees surrounding Jesus and the manger, and we put garland and frost and lights to recreate what the outdoors must have looked like.  Most importantly, many top the tree using a bright star to symbolize the East Star that God did to let the world know his Son was born.

Daughter (excitedly):  Wow!!! I never thought of it like that.  I bet just as little children sit on Santa’s lap and tell him their wishes, we can pray to Jesus for what we wish for.  Santa has a list that he’s checking twice to see who naughty or nice and Jesus has a list of names in the Book of Life.  Maybe Rudolph’s red nose lights the way for Santa Claus just as Christ is a light for us.  But most importantly, kids hang their stockings on the fireplace for treats just as we hang our hopes on the Spirit of expectation.  We have expectation for favors from the Lord.

Mother (agreeing):  Yes, all of those little Christmas elves signify the hearkening Angels announcing the birth of the newborn King. And small things like leaving cookies for Santa and snacks for the reindeer, well I’m sure the innkeeper baked something for them all to eat and provided raisins, figs, or carrots for the horses that the Wise Men rode on.  But most importantly, we use the mistletoe to ward off the evil that King Herod intended for Jesus.  Instead, the mistletoe is for good.  To extend a kiss of peace, love, and friendship to those we are near.

Mother:  So you see Sweetie, the way we celebrate Christmas today is indeed a reflection of the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We just do it in a childlike manner for all to enjoy and understand.

Daughter:  Okay, it all makes sense now….. So how about we take a quick picture with Santa and his reindeer and then grab a few more gifts before the shopkeepers close up early for Christmas Eve.

Mother:  Sound nice,  let’s do it!!!

(Blackout – The End)