The story is about a family with three children who often get into arguments with their grumpy neighbor, Mr. Jenkins. During a snowball fight, one of the children accidentally bumps into Mr. Jenkins, who yells at them. The children complain to their mother about Mr. Jenkins' rude behavior. Their mother tells them a story about how her family used to dislike their old neighbor Mr. Matthews, until he unexpectedly gave them Christmas gifts when they were in need, which changed their view of him. She suggests they invite Mr. Jenkins to their Christmas dinner to show him kindness and see if it improves his mood, as being lonely may be the cause of his grumpiness. The children agree it's the right thing

1. Merry Christmas, Mr. Jenkins!
Opening Song: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas?
Written by: Cassidy G., Shae R., Madelyn M., Kaci A., Sydni S. and Miss Martyn
Lights up on living room set. MOTHER & FATHER sitting by fireplace. MOTHER is
knitting, or doing something else mother-like. Perhaps she is wearing an apron,
because her Christmas cookies are in the oven. Father is reading the newspaper, or
some other thing that dads do in Christmas cards. The three children are on the other
side of the stage as if outside and are throwing snowballs at each other. Mr. Jenkins is
shovelling his sidewalk.
EMMA
(throwing a snowball at one of the children) “You can run, but you can’t hide!)
LIZZIE
(ducks from snowball) Nice try, but I am way too fast for you! (Yelling at other child)
Hey! Heads up! Fire in the hole!”
TOMMY
(runs away but doesn’t look where he is going) No way! You can’t get…. OOF!
(bumps into Mr. Jenkins).
TOMMY
Oh, Mr. Jenkins, I am so, so……
Mr. Jenkins
(interrupting and yelling) Now what did I tell you blasted kids about playing on my
property!
EMMA
(stammering) But, but, Mr. Jenkins we weren’t on your property! We were just…
Mr. Jenkins
Well, you were close enough to knock me down weren’t you? I could have broken
something! You funny-looking kids have no respect and I wish your silly parents had
never moved into this neighborhood! NOW BEAT IT AND I’D BETTER NOT SEE YOU
OUT HERE AGAIN!

2. (enter CHILDREN from “outside”)
TOMMY
I can’t believe he did it again!
LIZZIE
(crying) Why does he have to be so awful?
MOTHER
Children! What ever is the matter?
EMMA
Mr. Jenkins
TOMMY
I hate him!
MOTHER
Now, hate is a strong word.
LIZZIE
I don’t care! It’s true. I hate him, too.
FATHER
Now, children, your mother is right. Hate is a very strong word. We shouldn’t hate
anybody. What did our old neighbour do now?
LIZZIE
We were just having some fun in the snow and got a little carried away. We just
bumped into him a bit but he didn’t even get hurt. Then he called us ugly and said he
wished we had never moved into this neighborhood!
EMMA
And before that, we were building a snowman in the front yard, to guard our snow fort –
TOMMY
And then we ran into the garage to grab some old mittens and scarves to decorate him

3. EMMA
And when we came back out, we saw Mr. Jenkins walking away with Trixie.
FATHER
I don’t understand. What’s wrong with him walking his dog?
TOMMY
The front of the snowman was all melted and yellow! That’s what’s wrong!
MOTHER
That wasn’t very nice, but that’s no reason to hate the poor old man.
EMMA
But it’s not like that’s the first time he’s ever done anything.
LIZZIE
That’s right! Remember when he yelled at us for playing Cops and Robbers in front of
his house?
TOMMY
Or when he called us lazy for playing in the leaves instead of raking them?
EMMA
Or when he laughed at me when I slipped on the ice last week?
CHILDREN
He’s MEAN!!
MOTHER
We should invite him for Christmas dinner!
CHILDREN
What?!
FATHER
Wonderful idea, dear.
CHILDREN
What?!

4. MOTHER
He must be so lonely, all alone in that big house.
EMMA
Yeah, ‘cause he’s old and mean and cranky…
TOMMY
…and grumpy and stinky and eats raisins…
FATHER
And that’s enough. You kids need some Christmas spirit.
LIZZIE
We have plenty of Christmas spirit! Last Saturday we helped
serve breakfast at the homeless shelter! All those poor people,
they don’t deserve to be cold and hungry at Christmas.
EMMA
Yeah, and we bought those Christmas presents for families
who can’t afford to buy their kids presents!
FATHER
That’s all well and good, but the Christmas spirit isn’t just about giving.
It’s about giving even to people who don’t deserve the gifts.
MOTHER
Sit down, children. I’m going to tell you about my most special Christmas memory.
1. Christmas Poem
(Katie, Demitri and Lyla laughing and playing)
KATIE
It’s so fun to play in the snow!
DEMITRI
Let’s build a snowman next!
LYLA
Yeah, I just hope that Mean Mr. Matthews doesn’t notice us!

5. (MR. MATTHEWS approaches)
KATIE
Ack! You jinxed us!
MR. MATTHEWS
What are you kids doing? You’re making too much noise! I thought I told you to stay
away from my house!
DEMITRI
Oh! Sorry, Mea-, um, uh, Mr. Matthews!
(Mr. Matthews grunts, and exits)
KATIE
He’s finally lost it! I wouldn’t be surprised if he just turned green and became the
Grinch! (stomps off)
2. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
(Kids enter the house, and take off boots and jackets. MOM and DAD come to see the
kids)
DAD
Hey, kids! Did you have fun?
MOM
Kids, we have something to tell you.
And… it’s not very good. Come, sit by the fire.
DAD
Business hasn’t been very good this year.
MOM
We don’t have enough money to support the farm and our family.
DEMITRI
But, but…

6. KATIE
Does that mean we have to sell the farm?
DAD
Yes, sweetie. Yes, it does.
(Hugging and tears)
LYLA
I can’t believe that this is happening right before Christmas!
MOM
It will be alright. You’ll see. Go to bed now.
(Children exit)
DAD
Why did we have to tell them, Sue?
MOM
Jerry… they deserve to know.
(Exit)
3. Where Are You Christmas?
NARRATOR 2
Everything was normal for the next two days. The kids played pranks on Mr. Matthews
and built snowmen. On Christmas Eve, they went to sleep like normal kids.
But Christmas morning was anything but normal…
(knock on the door)
KATIE
I’ll get it!
(KATIE opens the door to reveal a box)
KATIE
Guys! Come see!
DEMITRI
See what?

7. LYLA
What’s there?
MOM
Why, it’s a box!
DAD
Sue! Look! (pulls out 5 Christmas cards)
LYLA
Stuffies!
DEMITRI
A toy truck! Wow!
MOM
That’s wonderful, but where did the box come from?
KIDS:
Must be Santa!!
4. Must Be Santa Claus
KATIE
A pretty doll! Just what I wanted! Thanks, Santa! I guess he knew we needed some
serious holiday cheer after our bad news.
LYLA:
Yes, but if it was Santa, why did he leave the box by the front door instead of under the
tree?
DAD
Sue! Kids! In the back here…
(FATHER pulls out a piece of paper)
LYLA
What? What is it?
DAD

8. It’s a cheque for a thousand dollars! That’s enough to save the farm!
DEMITRI
We can stay now! Yippee!
KATIE
Wait! Who’s the box from?
LYLA
Duh! Santa Clause
MOM
An angel.
(FAMILY exits)
(MOTHER, FATHER, CHILD 1 & CHILD 2 are around the fireplace again)
MOTHER
Do you know who gave us that box?
EMMA
You mean it wasn’t Santa?
MOTHER
(laughs) No, it was Mr. Matthews.
TOMMY
What? But wasn’t he the mean one?
MOTHER
He had been grumpy ever since his daughter had passed away. He thought that
everyone’s Christmas should be as sad as his was. Until he found out that our farm was
going to be sold. Then something clicked.
LIZZIE
Yeah, but nothing like that would ever “click” with Mr. Jenkins.
MOTHER
I am certain that if we had been nicer to Mr. Matthews, his life wouldn’t have been as
sad.

9. TOMMY
Pfft. Yeah right.
MOTHER
The point is, Mr. Matthews gave us gifts when we had been mean to him and didn’t
deserve it.
FATHER
And maybe Mr. Jenkins is just grumpy because he had experienced a loss, too.
LIZZIE
I guess if I lost something important, I might be grumpy, too.
EMMA
Me, too.
5. May You Find Love This Christmas
FATHER
Do you want to hear another story?
CHILDREN
Yes!
FATHER
This is also a true story. But it happened a long, long time ago.
NARRATOR 3
Mary and Joseph had to travel all the way to Bethlehem when Jesus was just about to
be born because King Herod wanted to take a census.
NARRATOR 4
They were exhausted from the journey. Can you imagine taking a road trip on a donkey
when you’re nine months pregnant?
So Joseph began to look for a place for them to rest.
(MARY AND JOSEPH come to an inn)
JOSEPH

10. Sir, do you have any room for my wife and me?
INNKEEPER 1
Sorry, there is no room for you and your wife.
JOSEPH
Are you sure? She’s preg – (INNKEEPER 1 shuts door in JOSEPH’s face)
(MARY and JOSEPH come to another inn)
JOSEPH
Sir, do you have any room for my wife and me?
INNKEEPER 2
I’m sorry sir, but there is no room for you and your wife.
JOSEPH
But – (door shuts)
(MARY and JOSEPH come to another inn.)
JOSEPH
My kind man, do you suppose that you have any room to left for my wife and me?
We’ve travelled very far, and she is very tired.
As you can see, our child is due any day now.
INNKEEPER 3
I am so sorry, but I have no room left. (Pause, look down) Wait! If you would like, I could
let you stay in my stable with the barn animals.
JOSEPH
Thank you my kind man. My wife and I will sleep in your stable.
(MARY and JOSEPH go to the stable)
6. Away In a Manger
NARRATOR 1
So Mary and Joseph went to stay in the stable,

11. because there was no room anywhere else.
But, the stable wasn’t exactly empty either.
DONKEY
Hey! Hey! Wake up!
COW
What? I’m sleeping over here!
DONKEY
It’s important! Wake up!
SHEEP
What’s so important, Donkey?
DONKEY
A baby was born tonight.
CAMEL
I know. It’s sleeping in my manger. How am I supposed to eat now?
COW
Just pick it up and take it out of your manger. Then you can eat.
DONKEY
No! It’s a special baby!
CAMEL
Just because it’s mom rode into town on your back doesn’t make it important.
DOVE
No, the donkey is right. This is a very special baby.
COW
Really?
DOVE
Maybe the most important baby that’s ever been born.
That baby is going to save the world.

12. DONKEY
That’s right! An angel told my masters so.
DOVE
We should be honoured to have him sleeping in our stable.
CAMEL
Wow
7. The Friendly Beasts
NARRATOR 4
While the animals in the stable were amazed by the baby Jesus, the people in
Bethlehem had no idea what had happened.
NARRATOR 3
The shepherds tending their flocks on the nearby hills were particularly clueless.
(SHEPHERDS 1, 2, 3, and FRED are on the hill tending to sheep)
SHEPHERD 1
…I’m telling you, angels need wings to get around up there!
SHEPHERD 2
And I’m telling you, that you angels don’t need wings! They just move their arms like
they’re swimming! Otherwise they’d molt. Like birds.
SHEPHERD 1
You’re wrong.
SHEPHERD 2
No, you’re wrong. Why don’t we ask an impartial third party. Fred?
SHEPHERD 1
Yeah! Fred? What do you think? Wings or no wings?
FRED
Ummm… guys…. (pointing in direction of ANGELS)
SHEPHERD 3
Come on, Fred, just settle it. I don’t want to hear them argue about this anymore.

13. FRED
But, guys….
SHEPHERD 3
Every night it’s the same thing. Wings or no wings. If I have to hear this one mo –
FRED
LOOK! There!
(ANGELS enter to announce the birth of Jesus)
ANGEL 1
Do not be afraid. We bring you good news for everybody.
ANGEL 2
Tonight, a Savior has been born. His name is Jesus Christ.
ANGEL 1
You will find him in the village.
Shepherds, go to Bethlehem, enter the stable, and see Jesus Christ our savior.
SHEPHERD 1
Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem!
SHEPHERD 2
Already ahead of you.
FRED
Coming.
SHEPHERD 1
And I told you angels have wings!
(SHEPHERDS run off stage)
8. Angels We Have Heard On High

14. (Back in the stable, MARY and JOSEPH around the manger, and the ANGELS are
standing around the stable)
MARY
He’s so beautiful. I can’t believe God gave him to us.
JOSEPH
I’ve never done anything to deserve such a precious gift.
(enter SHEPHERDS)
FRED
Excuse me…I hate to bother you ma’am…but…
SHEPHERD 2
We heard that the Savior was born tonight, and that we would be able to find him lying
in a manger. (gasps) Is that him?
(MARY nods)
SHEPHERD 1
(kneeling) So. This is God. He’s come to be with us. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything to
deserve the gift of meeting him.
MARY
I think that’s the point. None of us will ever be deserving of such a wonderful gift, yet it’s
been given to us anyway. So we just have to accept the gift, and continue to give to
others in the same way.
(Lights up on the FAMILY)
FATHER
Do you kids understand what we’re trying to tell you?
LIZZIE
Umm…that Christmas is about giving things to people who don’t deserve them?
TOMMY
Just like what Jesus did for us?

15. FATHER
Exactly. So, do you have any opinions about who we should invite for Christmas
dinner? I was thinking that we should invite Grandma and Grandpa, of course…
MOTHER
Aunt Lyla and Uncle Steve…
FATHER
…anyone else?
EMMA
Mr. Jenkins?
TOMMY
Yeah. Even if he’s mean. No one should be alone on Christmas.
FATHER
I thought you might say that.
9. Put a Little Love In Your Heart
CURTAIN CALL
Songs
1. Christmas (arrange) – Gr. 1
2. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Gr. 2
3. Where Are You Christmas (after kids are told about losing the farm) – Gr.
3/4
4. Must Be Santa Claus!- Kindergarten
5. May You Find Love This Christmas (arrange) - Parents
6. Away In a Manger – Gr. 5
7. Friendly Beasts – Pre-K
8. Angels We Have Heard On High (handbells) Gr. 3/4
9. Put a Little Love In Your Heart
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbQjL5NKnP0 (karaoke)
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3J_3mcOwdQ