We hope you will join us for this year's Children's Christmas Program on Sunday, December 17th, 2023 @ 6 pm.

Caribbean Christmas

Chorus:

It’s a Caribbean Christmas. Singing carols in the island sun.

A Caribbean Christmas. Fun for each and every one.

Verse 1:

If you’re tired of “de” winter snow,

“dere’s” a place where we all can go.

Far away from “de” cold and ice. 

Catch some rays, now wouldn’t “dat” be nice.

Chorus:

Verse 2:

Let’s all go to “de” islands “mon”.

Celebrate God’s only Son.

Giving gifts out beside “de” shore.

Lift our hands as we praise “de” Lord.

Chorus:

Verse 3:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, a Caribbean Christmas. Fun for each and every one!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, a Caribbean Christmas. Fun for each and every one!

Chorus:

Chorus:

Ending:

Fun for each and every one. Fun for each and every one.

Merry Christmas!!!

Scene 1:

Laura: Ahoy, Damian, What cha got?

Damian: It’s a map of buried treasure.

Laura: Oh, let me see. Hmmm. You’re right. It is a map. It looks like the buried treasure is right here on this island. Where did you find it?

Damian: My dad gave me this old box from my great, great grandpa. This map and this message were on the inside.

Laura: What’s it say?

Damian: It says, “Freely, you have received.” Pretty cool, huh? I get free treasure. 

Laura: Hmmm. You mean if you can find it.

Damian: I asked my mom if I could search for it. She said sure. Anything to get me out of the house today.

Laura: My mom said the same thing. She’s making coconut candy for the Junkanoo festival. I think she’s made enough to feed the entire island.

Damian: Hey let’s see if everybody wants to search.

Laura: OK. Hey everybody, Damian found a map of buried treasure. Who wants in on the search?

 (Kids say… “Me”)

Damian: Who’s with me?

(Justin, Beth, Dante, Verruca & Emily enter. Verruca is trying to hit bugs with a fly swatter)

Dante: I am with you! Please stop that Verruca. You’re not gonna hit anything.

Verruca: You don’t know that Dante! Leave me alone or I’ll tell mom.

Dante: What are we doing?

Laura: Looking for buried treasure.

Dante: Cool!!!!

Laura: Are you two going to introduce us to your friend or just keep arguing?

Dante: Oh, sorry. This is Emily. She just moved here today with her mom and dad. They are missis... missis...

Justin: Missionaries.

Dante: Yeah that’s it. They’re building a new church next to the coconut hut. Mmmyyyyy favorite restaurant.

Damian: Welcome to the Caribbean islands. This is Laura and this is Justin.

Emily: Hi!!

Justin: Welcome!!

Dante: Ahoy!! Can I see your map?

Damian: Yes. We just started the search for buried treasure. Arrrggg!!! You with me?

Dante: You bet!!!

Damian: Arrrggg!!! You with me? (Pointing his sword at Verruca)

Verruca: Get that nasty thing away from me!!! And no!!! I don’t want to play treasure hunt with you.

Damian: Arrrggg!!! Are you with me… arrr do you walk the gang plank with Verruca?

Emily: Thanks.. (Said in a nervously, sad voice) But no I have to get back home and unpack my room.

Verruca: I’ll help you. Anywhere but here. Playing in germ filled dirt is not my idea of a good time. (Verruca and Emily leave the stage.)

Damian: What’s with Emily?

Dante: Ahhh, she’s just sad. Her family had to move here quickly and this is her first Christmas away from home.

Laura: Oh, that is sad. I can’t imagine Christmas without my entire family.

Justin: Or my friends.

Beth: Or the food!!

Laura: I think it’s up to us to make this her best Christmas ever. Arrrrggg!!! Who’s with me?!?!

The Best Christmas Ever

Verse 1:

We may not have snow in the islands. 

There’s no winter chill in the air. But we’ve got each other and

we’re here together let’s make this the best Christmas ever.

Chorus:

Old friends and new friends let’s help out our blue friend and make this the Christmas they’ve always dreamed of.

As we get to know them we’ll certainly show them the best Christmas ever is all about love.

Verse 2:

Let’s show them the island traditions. We celebrate different down here. We’ve plenty of food and the most awesome weather to make this the best Christmas ever.

Chorus:

Old friends and new friends let’s help out our blue friend and make this the Christmas they’ve always dreamed of.

As we get to know them we’ll certainly show them the best Christmas ever is all about love.

Chorus:

Old friends and new friends let’s help out our blue friend and make this the Christmas they’ve always dreamed of.

As we get to know them we’ll certainly show them the best Christmas ever is all about love.

Ending:

The best Christmas ever is all about love.

Scene 2:

Laura: Shhhh… Here they come. Now everyone remember to show her some real island hospitality.

Dante: Say Emily, if you’re a missis, missis…

Justin: Missionary

Dante: Yeah, You’ll love it here. All of our islands have Biblical names.

Emily: Ok… (Questioning in her voice) Like what Biblical names?

Dante: Well, there’s the island of St. James on the west and St. Joseph on the east. And then the island of St. Peter where Santa Clause lives. 

(Everyone laughs)

Emily: What?!?! Are you sure?!?

Dante: Well of course he does. I saw it myself. It said the Abby of St. Nicholas.

(Everyone Laughs)

Verruca: You’ll have to get used to my brother. A coconut fell on his head when he was three and he’s never been the same.

(Everyone Laughs)

Dante: Oh yeah… Well mom said that Santa Clause must be a saint to bring you all those toys.

Verruca: Oh yeah… Well she also said that if you didn’t start acting more like a saint, then you’d have nothing but sand in your stocking.

(Everyone Laughs)

Dante: Oh yeah… Well at least I don’t run from every little bug on this island or scream at the sight of dirt.

(Everyone Laughs)

Laura: Enough!!! Jamaican me crazy!!!! You two are not helping. I know you’ll just love it here. You got here at the perfect time. This weekend is Junkanoo. It’s the greatest Christmas festival in the world. There’s food and fireworks and games. We make masks and hang out with all of our friends.

Justin: Junkanoo is awesome!!! My mask this year is of a wise mon. (Said in a Jamaican accent).

Beth: Mine is of an angel.

Dante: Oh Emily, you’ve never had so much fun. So many people, so much music, so much food. I can’t wait!!!

Emily: I don’t want to go. I don’t want to sing or dance or search for buried treasure. I just want to go home and be with my own friends. (Walks off stage upset.)

Verruca: (Puts on hand sanitizer) Well… that didn’t go very well.

Laura: She really needs our help. Come on Verruca. Let’s go talk to her. You know where she lives.

Damian: Forget about them!!! Who’s still on for finding this treasure?

(Everyone says, “Me!!!”) (They pretend to start looking and digging with toy shovels for the treasure.)

Dig (Underscore)

Scene 3:

Justin: Hey!!! We found something.

Beth: Over here.

Damian: Blimey, don’t drop it! Gently, gently.

Justin: Oh it’s really heavy.

Damian: Look real gold! We did it! We found the treasure.

(Everyone cheers) (Laura & Emily Enter)

Laura: Wow, you found it!!

Verruca: It doesn’t look like theirs enough to go around. How are you going to divide this with everyone?

Dante: Everyone? Not you, you didn’t help, you don’t deserve it!

Justin: I found it!

Beth: I helped!

Damian: Aarg! It was my map. Until we figure out what to do, I’ll keep it.

Verruca: Oh, now that’s a brilliant idea!

Justin: My dad owns this land!

Beth: This is not fair, we all looked for it!!!

Laura: Wait, what is this?

Damian: Who cares?? All we need is the gold.

(Everyone agrees)

Laura: No look, I think it goes with the other paper you showed me. Hold your piece up.

Verruca: They fit together like a puzzle.

Beth: What do they say?

Damian: “Freely you have received….”

Laura: Freely give. I think it’s from the Bible.

Justin: It is! Remember we learned it in Sunday School?

Verruca: Yes, we talked about how it’s better to give than to receive.

Beth: And here we are fighting over money when we have so much. We all have homes, food, and even presents under the tree for Christmas.

Damian: And there are so many people on this island that don’t even have that.

Dante: Maybe we should think about how we can start giving this Christmas.

Give A Little Love

Chorus:

Give a little love, give a little joy, give a little Christmas this Christmas. Give a little hope, give a little peace, give a little Christmas this Christmas.

Chorus:

Verse 1:

Don't go scrooging, you're way through the season, it's all about sharing you see. You would be a wiser, not to be a miser, go a little crazy with your generosity.

Chorus:

Verse 2:

Someone you know might need a little lift, and you may have just the perfect gift. So open up and give a little, go ahead and live a little, give a little Christmas this Christmas.

Verse 3:

Maybe you don't have a dime in your pocket, you think you've got nothing to share.

Unless you're born greater, just be a donator of your time or your talent, to show that you care.

Verse 4:

God gave us a gift in a manger, His only Son Jesus who came as a stranger.

To bring life eternal and a reason to live, now it's our turn to give, give.

Chorus (2x’s):

Verse 2:

Ending:

So open up and give a little, go ahead and live a little, give a little Christmas this Christmas. (2x’s)

Scene 3 Continued:

Verruca: I really wish we could find a way to make Emily feel better.

Damian: Maybe they could use the treasure.

Dante: Emily’s mom and dad are trying to build a new church. I bet they could use it.

Verruca: Dante, what a smart and sweet thing to say. (Verruca and Dante hug) 

Dante: See… we don’t always argue.

Beth: And Emily’s family left everything to come here. Damian, do you think you could part with your great, great grandpa’s gift?

Damian: Well… I do think it would make my great, great grandpa proud.

Justin: Hey, I have a great idea. My mom helps with Junkanoo. We could give the treasure to Emily’s family on Saturday night. Arrrrggg, who’s with me?

(Everyone agrees)

Beth: Ok… Verruca, you and Laura make sure that Emily’s family is at Junkanoo this Saturday.

Justin: I’ll take care of everything else.

Verruca: Why don’t we make a mask for Emily?

Laura: That’s a great idea!!! Let’s go!!!

Dante: See everyone Saturday!!

(Music starts as the kids leave the stage, then they make their way back on with masks and they start doing a conga line and then do with balloons and beach balls flying in the audience.)

Junkanoo

Verse 1:

In the island sun, when Christmas comes around, there’s a festival, in the streets of town. Like a big parade with costumes oh so bright. And music plays to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Chorus:

Oh!!! Junkanoo, Junkanoo, Junkanoo is here.

Everybody celebrate with lots of Christmas cheer.

Oh!!! Junkanoo, Junkanoo, Junkanoo is here.

Everybody celebrate with lots of Christmas cheer.

Verse 2:

See the manger scene. Come hear that conga drums.

Marching bands will play. Fun for everyone.

Taste the Christmas treats. Blow the whistles loud.

We all love to laugh and sing when Christmas comes around.

Chorus:

Chorus:

Ending:

Everybody celebrate with lots of Christmas cheer.

Everybody celebrate with lots of Christmas cheer.

Junkanoo!!!!

Scene 4:

Justin’s Mom: Ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank everyone for participating in this year’s festival. The nativity scene was perfect and the band played beautifully. I think this was our best year ever. (Everyone Cheers)

But before we end tonight’s celebration I would like to introduce my son and his friends who have a special presentation. I would also like to invite our new friends, the Lewis family, to the stage. Let’s give them a big Caribbean island welcome!

(Everyone Cheers)

Damian: My dad gave me an old box that my great, great grandpa left for me that had a treasure map inside. This week, a bunch of us started digging and found the treasure.

(Everyone says, “Oooooo”)

Laura: Emily, we all decided to give it to you and your family to help build the new church.

(Everyone says, “Oooooo”)

Emily’s Dad: Thank you!!!

Emily’s Mom: Oh kids, what a wonderful, wonderful gift. May God bless you all and merry Christmas.

(Everyone: Merry Christmas)

Emily: Thanks friends. I’m sorry that I was hard to get along with this week. I just really miss my family and friends. But all of you have taught me about true friendship. Thank you for not giving up on me and thank you for showing me that Christmas is Christmas wherever you are. (The girls all hug each other.)

Christmas Is Christmas (Wherever You Are)

Chorus:

Christmas is Christmas wherever you are. The season will find you no matter how far. The spirit of love is down deep in your heart. And Christmas is Christmas wherever you are.

Chorus:

Verse 1:

Sing out the carols and beat on the drums.

Tell all the world that our Savior has come.

For Jesus this baby asleep on the straw,

will soon bring redemption for one and for all.

Chorus 2:

So light every candle and trim every tree.

Let’s make the yuletide the way it should be.

The whole world is singing of angels and stars.

And Christmas is Christmas wherever you are.

Ending:

Christmas is Christmas wherever you are.

Scene 4 Continued:

Laura: Emily, we made this for you. (Hands her the mask.)

Emily: Ahhh, it’s so beautiful, thank you. I really think I’m gonna like it here.

Justin’s Mom: I can’t think of a better way to end this evening.

Justin: I can. Why don’t we strike up the band and sing my favorite Christmas carol… island style. Arrrggg’s who’s with me?

(Everyone Cheers)

An Island Christmas Finale

Verse 1:

Joy to the world. The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room. And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Verse 2:

He rules the world with truth and grace. And makes the nations prove. The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.

And wonders of His love and wonders and wonders of His love.

Chorus:

Hallelujah, hallelujah, everybody praise the Lord.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, everybody praise the Lord.

Chorus 2:

Hallelujah, hallelujah, everybody praise the Lord.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, everybody praise the Lord.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, everybody praise the Lord.

Tag:

And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Ending:

Joy to the world!!!