The Case of The Missing Christmas Baby Jesus

The Case of the Missing Baby Jesus
a David & Dee Dee Christian Mystery Dinner Theatre Play
by Dee Stewart
Luke 2: 10-14
And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling, lying in a manger (vs 12)
Dee Stewart ● http://www.christianfiction.blogspot.com ●deegospelpr@gmail.com

2
Stewart/Christmas Baby Jesus 3
CHARACTERS
DAVID STEPHENS: between 8 and 10 years old, boy.
DEE DEE STEPHENS (DD): between 8 and 10 years old, girl (note: she is David’s twin.)
MS. JEWEL: older female: teens
MOM: older female: teens
DAD: older male: teen
JOSHUA/JOSEPH: young boy
MELISSA/MARY: young girl
KING HEROD: young boy
WISE MEN 1: young boy
SHEPHERD 1:young boy
SHEPHERD 2 young boy
SHEPHERD 3: young boy
SHEPHERD 4: young boy
ANGEL: girl or boy
DEACON JENKINS: older male
NARRATOR 1: girl or boy
GUARD: boy
SETTING
David & Dee’s Clubhouse. Looks like a little house made of cardboard or a plastic playhouse.
David & DD’s Living Room. Room with Christmas tree setting and fireplace or dining room
Ms. Tyler’s Sunday School Class
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
ACT 1
Scene 1 ...............David & Dee’s Club House.......................Afternoon
Scene 2 .............. Ms. Jewel’s Sunday School Class............The Next Day
ACT 2
Scene 1 ...............DD & David’s Living Room.....................That night
Scene 2 ...............Same as above............................ ...............That night
INTERMISSION
ACT 3
Scene 1 ...............Ms. Jewel’s Sunday School Class.............Two Days Before Christmas
Scene 2 ...............Church Sanctuary/Nativity.........................Christmas Day
ACT I
SCENE ONE
(A table with two chairs on one side a
chair and a bean bag chair on the other
side. Christmas gifts on table with
wrapping paper, Cash box or shoe box
under the table. DAVID sits at the
table, DD enters.)
DAVID
What’s taking you so long, DD? We have a lot to do before
Christmas like wrap our gifts for our friends and buy
gifts. Our allowance money isn’t enough. We need more money
or we’ll have to ask mom and Dad, and you know what that
means...more chores.
DD
(Speaks from offstage.)
That’s why I’m late. We have a new client.
DAVID
(Stands up.)
We do?
DD
(She peaks out.)
Yes.
(Then she walks in holding Ms. Jewel’s
hands.)
It’s Cousin Jewel.
MS. JEWEL
(Waves at David.)
Hi, David.
DAVID
(Waves back.)
Hi, Cousin Jewel, I haven’t seen you in a while.
MS. JEWEL
I’m sorry I haven’t visited you guys since you moved. I
hope to change that, but right now I need your help.
DAVID
You need our help? But we don’t help adults. Our clients
are kids.
DD
But this is a special case, David. (Directs Ms. Jewel to
have a seat.) Right Cousin, Jewel?
MS. JEWEL:
(Walks between both seats and asks the audience
without speaking which seat she should take, she takes
the seat with the most applause.) Indeed. You see. I’m
searching for a doll. Actually I’m searching for a
particular doll, the Christmas Baby Jesus.
DAVID
(Opens his notepad. DD sits beside him.)
A Christmas Baby Jesus?
MS. JEWEL
Yes, have you forgotten so soon? The Baby Jesus at
Christmas Services?
DD
(nods.)
We haven’t forgotten.
(Then nudges David.)
DAVID
(frowns at DD.)
I forgot a little, so tell me more, Cousin Jewel.
MS. JEWEL
As you know every year the children’s church—I mean—the
kid’s church hosts the Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve
Night—
DD
Which is four days away? Write that down, David.
(She points at his pad.)
DAVID
(Looks up at DD.)
Stop being so bossy.
DD
(Rolls her eyes)
The Christmas Pageant is in four days. Keep going Cousin
Jewel.
MS. JEWEL
Anywhoo...Deacon Jones loans his prize winning Nativity
Scene to us every year. The dear man built the wooden frame
and the manger by hand, and his late wife, May created the
Black Baby Jesus doll. She wanted the kids to feel
connected to Baby Jesus, so she made him look like us. It
would break his heart, if he knew that doll was lost.
DAVID
When was the last time you saw the doll?
MS. JEWEL
Two days ago. At first I thought that the doll was returned
to the wrong place after practice, but after searching all
over the church I realized the doll was missing.
DD
Are you sure it’s not in the church?
MS. JEWEL
(nods)
The baby’s swaddling is gone, along with a toy baby bottle
in the nursery and some diapers.
DAVID
So you think it was stolen?
MS. JEWEL
(shakes her head)
I don’t want to think that, and I don’t want any child
punished for taking the doll. I just want them to return
it.
DD
Why do you think a kid took it?
MS. JEWEL
Who else would want the doll?
DAVID
That’s what we will find out for a nominal fee of course.
DD
(Pulls out the cash box)
Sorry, Cousin Jewel. In this economy there are no freebies.
Family has to pay, too.
(opens her palm wide.)
MS. JEWEL
(hands DD some money)
When can you get started?
DAVID
Tomorrow. We’ll meet you at the church before rehearsal.
DD
David, do you think we can solve this case in time?
DAVID
With a little help from you(he points at the audience,) I
think we can.
End Scene.
Scene Two
(SONG: Away in the Manger)
(Setting. Ms. Jewel’s classroom. Table,

chairs, chalkboard, Nativity props.
White box. Opening Scene: Ms. Jewel
sitting at desk. Pastor Valentine
standing beside her. They are talking
and giggling at each other when DAVID
and DD walk in.)
DD
(Carries a purse. She puts her purse down on
an empty chair seat, then whispers.)
Hello
DAVID
(Clears his throat.)
Hello?
MS. JEWEL
(blushes, then stands up.)
Hi, guys.
DAVID AND DD:

(Waves)
Hi.
MS. JEWEL
(walks around the table.)
Forgive me. I forgot. You two, haven’t met Pastor
Valentine. He’s our new youth pastor.
(She walks toward DD).
DD this is Pastor Valentine and Pastor Valentine this is my
little cousin DD Stephens.
PASTOR VALENTINE
(steps forward and extends his hand to DD.)
Hello, Miss D D.
DD
(shakes Pastor Valentine’s hand.)
Hello, Pastor Valentine.
MS. JEWEL
(walks over to David.)

And this is her twin brother, David.
PASTOR VALENTINE
(straightens himself up then shakes David
hand with a stronger hand.)
Good day, Master David, nice to meet you.
DAVID
(slides his hands out of Pastor Valentine’s
grasp, then rings it.)
Nice to meet you, too.
MS. JEWEL
I invited them here to help us find the doll, because they
are kid detectives.
PASTOR VALENTINE
You don’t say? I’m curious what do Kid Detectives do?
DD
We solve kid mysteries.
PASTOR VALENTINE
(Chuckles.)
Of course, you do. What was I thinking?
DAVID
(Pulls his notebook and pen from his back
pocket).
You were thinking like an adult, but that’s okay. That’s
why we’re here.
DD
(sat down in her chair.)
So when can we get started?
MS. JEWEL
Now. The Main Nativity Cast is here. I think it would be a
good idea if you talk to them, while we fit the rest of the
class for their costumes.
DAVID
(nodded.)
Let’s do this.
MS. JEWEL
Good we’ll send them in one by one starting with Joshua.

He’s Joseph in the play.
MS. JEWEL AND PASTOR VALENTINE

(walk out smiling at each other.)
DD
(looks to the audience)
Do you think Cousin Jewel and the Pastor like each other?
(SHE WAITS FOR THE AUDIENCE, THEN NODS AND GIGGLES.)
JOSHUA
(walks in.)
Hey, David and DD. What are y’all doing here?
DAVID
Cousin Jewel asked us to come down to help find you all
find Baby Jesus in time for the play. You know how adults
are. They can’t find anything.
JOSHUA
(nodded his head.)
I had to find my dad’s car keys today. He always looses
them.
DD
You and me both.
DAVID
So when was the last time you saw Baby Jesus?
JOSHUA
Two days ago.
DD
What do you remember?
JOSHUA
Mary—uh—Melissa had it in practice, like she always does,
but then she got sick during practice and had to leave.
DAVID
What happened to the doll after she left?
JOSHUA
She put the doll back in the special box in Ms. Jewel’s
office. I think.
DD
But you’re not sure.
JOSHUA
I’m pretty sure. Melissa never let the doll out of her
sight. She wouldn’t let me touch it. Said I would break
it, but I wouldn’t do that. I would take care of the doll.
DD
Why would she think that?
JOSHUA
Because I broke her bike last Christmas by accident, but
I’ve changed now.
DD
Good for you, Joshua.
DAVID
Thanks, Man. Can you send Melissa in?
JOSHUA
Yep.
(He walks out.)
DD
(Mumbles.)
Can we speed this up?
DAVID
(shrugs.)
Let’s see you do better.
DD
(stands up.)
Watch and learn.
MELISSA
(enters.)
DD
Hey, girl. Have a seat by me. We need your help.
MELISSA
(sits down by DD.)
Help how?
DD
As you know Baby Jesus is missing and from it seems that
you are the last person in the class who had him.
MELISSA
But I gave returned him to Ms. Jewel before I left.
DD
You handed it to her?
MELISSA
(nodded, then shook her head)
Not actually...I didn’t feel good and I was afraid I my
ruin the Baby Jesus, so I went to Miss Jewel’s office. But
she wasn’t there. I really wasn’t feeling good by now, so I
put it in the baby nursery. It was closest to her office. I
wrote a note to tell Miss Jewel where it was. When I bent
down to slip the note under her office door I got sick on
her floor and had to go home.
DAVID
(pinches his nose and whispers.)
Gross
DD
(writes something down on her notebook)
Where does Baby Jesus usually live?
MELISSA
In a special box in Miss Jewel’s Office
DD
(looks up)
When you put the doll in the nursery did anyone else see
you?
MELISSA
(shrugged.)
I don’t know.
DD
Thanks, Melissa. We’ll take it from there.
MELISSA
(stands up)
I promise I didn’t take Baby Jesus.
DAVID
We believe you.
MELISSA
walks out.
DAVID
(turns to DD)
Do you think she took the doll?
DD
(Turns to the audience)
What do you think?
Asks a child to answer. Give the child a
gift for answering.
MISS STEPHENS
(returns)
Kids I need to get you home for dinner. Did you find out
anything?
DD
We think we found a clue, but we’re not sure.
DAVID
We can’t think on an empty stomach.
MISS STEPHENS
I agree. We’ll talk more later.
(They walk out together.)
NARRATOR 1:
Let’s take a dinner break like DD and David. When we
return we will see if ____(child) is right. Narrator turns
to child. ____(child) Because you answered you have won
first dibs, meaning the first person in line for our
Mystery Dinner and ______(some prize your church
determines. Suggestion a gift under your church Christmas
Gift.)
End Scene/End ACT One

ACT TWO
Scene 2:
SONG: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
(Still in the dining room as

background. A nativity is too the far
left front of the stage)
MOM
The Three Wise Men followed the Eastern Star until it found the
Christ child. They rejoiced and brought him gifts of prosperity,
protection, & strength.
DAD
Before they returned to King Herod an Angel of God stopped them.
ANGEL
Do not go back to the King. He has a plan to hurt the baby.
KING 3
See. I knew something was up with that king.
KING 2
We can’t let him know where we are.
KING 1
We have to warn Mary and Joseph.
ANGEL
They are on the way to Egypt. And will be taken care of. We’ll
show you another way to your homes, so that you won’t confront
King Herod.
ANGEL and KINGS walk off stage)
DAD
(TURNS TO DAVID AND DD)
Now, you guys have to get some rest.
DD
I don’t know how, because now I think I know where Baby Jesus is,
and it’s in the manger.
DAVID
(FOLDS HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST AND
HUFFS)
Oh brother...
MOM
(Chuckles)
You mean, Oh, sister. Why don’t you present both findings to
Cousin Jewel tomorrow? Who knows you both could be right.
DAD
And both pray to God for guidance.
DD and DAVID
OK
DAVID
(nudges DD)
Tell me where you think it is before we go to sleep.
DD
(whispers something to David)
DAVID
(his eyes light up.)
Scene 2:
(SONG: your choice)
(MISS JEWEL, PASTOR VALENTINE AND

DEACON JENKINS ARE SEATED WHEN DD AND
DAVID ENTERS.)
DAVID
Good Morning.
DD
We have good news and we’re glad you are all here.
MISS JEWEL
Do you know where Baby Jesus is?
DAVID and DD
(nod)
Yes
DAVID
At first we thought that Melissa had misplaced the doll in the
nursery.
DD
(walks toward where Melissa sits)
Since she couldn’t find you. With Baby Jesus being in the
nursery anyone could have taken mistaken the doll for one of the
member’s toys.
DAVID
But then we remembered what Joshua said about Melissa not
trusting him with the doll. He wanted to prove himself worthy.
DD
(walks toward Joshua)
That’s why he moved the doll from the nursery and put him in the
manger. Like Joseph he wanted to protect Mary and the Baby.
MISS JEWEL
But he’s not in the manger.
DD
(walk towards Deacon Jenkins)
Walks toward Deacon Jenkins. Exactly.
DAVID
Then Mom and Dad told us about the three kings and how they
wanted to protect the Baby Jesus after they learned he was in
danger. The Angel told them that baby had been taken out of the
city and would be safe.
DD
So we thought about where could Baby Jesus go and be safe?
(SHE LOOKS AT DEACON JENKINS)
Baby Jesus must be with you.
Deacon Jenkins
Claps and laughs. You got me. I have the Baby Jesus. I saw
Joshua place the doll in the manger. After he left I took the
doll out. I went to Miss Jewel’s office to put it back in the
box, but she was caring for Melissa. Since everything was so
busy, I took the baby home. I forgot to leave a note that I was
returning it in time for rehearsal.
(He presents the doll.)
DD
(frowns)
So you didn’t need us, after all.
MISS JEWEL
Oh yes. We needed you. We learned that Melissa and Joshua took
their roles as Mary and Joseph very seriously. They did their
best to take care of Baby Jesus.
MOM
And you learned that Baby Jesus is special for many reasons.
DAD
And you, too learned how to work together for good.
DEACON JENKINS
I think you all are so good. I may have a case for you to crack.
DAVID
For a nominal fee of course!
DD
That’s great news.
PASTOR VALENTINE
We have good news, too. I wanted to wait until Christmas to

share with you all. MISS JEWELS and I are getting married.
SONG: Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Sheet Music
Away in a Manger
Lyrics Martin Luther
Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,

I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children

In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
Away in a Manger – Christmas Carol Music and lyrics

What Child Is This?

Version 1
Words: William Chatterton Dix, 1865.

These modified stanzas are from Dix' poem The Manger Throne.
There is also a Dix carol called The Manger Throne (Alternate Title: Like Silver Lamps In
A Distant Shrine)
Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody

Arranged by Sir John Stainer
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Meter: 8 7 8 7
Source: Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer, Christmas Carols New and Old, First
Series (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1871), Carol #14
1. What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
WE THREE KINGS
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is
the One who has been born king of the Jews?’
Words & Music: John H. Hopkins, Jr., 1857 (MIDI, score). Hopkins wrote this carol for a Christ-
mas pageant at the General Theological Seminary in New York City.
We three kings of Orient are;

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain
O star of wonder, star of light,

Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;

Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

The Case of The Missing Christmas Baby Jesus

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The Case of The Missing Christmas Baby Jesus

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The Case of the Missing Baby Jesus

a David & Dee Dee Christian Mystery Dinner Theatre Play

Dee Stewart ● http://www.christianfiction.blogspot.com ●deegospelpr@gmail.com

DAVID STEPHENS: between 8 and 10 years old, boy.

MS. JEWEL: older female: teens

MOM: older female: teens

DAD: older male: teen

JOSHUA/JOSEPH: young boy

MELISSA/MARY: young girl

KING HEROD: young boy

WISE MEN 1: young boy

WISE MEN 2: young boy

WISE MEN 3: young boy

SHEPHERD 1:young boy

SHEPHERD 2 young boy

SHEPHERD 3: young boy

SHEPHERD 4: young boy

ANGEL: girl or boy

DEACON JENKINS: older male

NARRATOR 1: girl or boy

Ms. Tyler’s Sunday School Class

(Setting. Ms. Jewel’s classroom. Table,

DAVID AND DD:

(walks over to David.)

Good we’ll send them in one by one starting with Joshua.

MS. JEWEL AND PASTOR VALENTINE

End Scene/End ACT One

SONG: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”

(Still in the dining room as

ANGEL and KINGS walk off stage)

(MISS JEWEL, PASTOR VALENTINE AND

We have good news, too. I wanted to wait until Christmas to

SONG: Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Lyrics Martin Luther

The stars in the bright sky

The cattle are lowing

I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Be near me, Lord Jesus,

Bless all the dear children

Away in a Manger – Christmas Carol Music and lyrics

What Child Is This?

Words: William Chatterton Dix, 1865.

Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest

This, this is Christ the King,

2. Why lies He in such mean estate,

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Raise, raise a song on high,

We three kings of Orient are;

O star of wonder, star of light,

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Frankincense to offer have I;

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Glorious now behold Him arise;

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