(They have just come in, but the room is soon cluttered with all of their stuff, making the room a mess. They plop down on the couch and chairs in the room.)

Maggie: You got that right, and I can’t wait! I hope I’m getting that mp3 player, that red one I marked in the catalog…

Bekah: And in the sale paper…and the note on the refrigerator…

Jared: And on Mom’s computer. I think she even wrote it on the toilet paper so everyone could see it…

Maggie: (Throws pillow at him.) I did not, you geek! (all laughing) I need a new MP3 player! Mine only holds about 50 songs and no videos at all. Who ever heard of that? You think you’ll get that new cell phone, Bekah?

Bekah: I hope so. I really need it. My other one is so outdated. You can’t even text on it. I guess have left a lot of hints too.

Jared: Hints? I don’t think sitting at the dinner table and saying, (mocking her)“For Christmas this year, I want a new cell phone, Revolution 6110 with dual sliding keypads for texting, always internet connected, camera - 18x zoom - 22.4 mega pixels, cruise control, auto-pilot, automatic transmission…

Bekah: You’re loopy! I didn’t do that!

Maggie: Well, Sis, I think he is right! Maybe not about the cruise control, but everything else sounded about right!

Jared: And you want a phone for texting? Who would you be texting? Your friends are always here! Well, for whatever reason you want it, the look on Mom and Dad’s face at the dinner table was priceless!

Bekah: That was about the time Mom excused herself from the table and we didn’t see her again all evening.

Maggie: Yeah, she was a little quiet, a little strange that night. Dad said she just wasn’t feeling well.

Maggie: Hey guys, who am I?

Bekah: What are you doing?

Jared: I think we’re playing charades. Let’s see. Cap pulled down - can barely see your eyes…

Bekah: You’re cold, freezing…

Maggie: Oh, I forgot something. Watch this…(Stands up in front of couch, Pretends to push shopping cart. Stops after a few steps, stoops down and pretends to pick something up off ground. )

Bekah: Pushing something…

Jared: Picks something off the ground….eating…eating?? I know!! I know - you’re a homeless person! Pushing a shopping cart!

Maggie: (shaking head to say he’s right)

Bekah: Crazy Gloria! Crazy Gloria! Did I get it?!

Maggie: (shaking head yes, all laughing)

Mom: Don't "calm down Mom" to me! I am very disappointed in you kids tonight.

Bekah: What I'm trying to say is its just ol’ Gloria down by the railroad tracks. She’s an old homeless lady. We call her Crazy coz she talks to herself all the time.

Mom: Does that mean she doesn’t have feelings? That she is not a person who deserves respect?

Jared: Respect? For someone who sleeps on the street and eats out of garbage cans? How can you respect someone like that?

Dad: Listen kids. Many people are a whole lot less fortunate than we are, but they don’t deserve to be treated badly because of it.

Mom: Well, since you all enjoy making fun of someone who doesn’t have food to eat or a place to sleep, maybe you should live in her shoes for a little while.

Bekah: (laughs) I could never wear her shoes. They are air conditioned. Her big toe sticks out on the left one…

Mom: Bekah, that’s enough!

Bekah: Oh Mom, lighten up!

Mom: That’s enough of your smart mouth, young lady! You are on the verge of being grounded! (looks toward Dad) Yes, Daniel, I think its time they consider how other people live.

Maggie: Oh, Mommy, please don’t make me live in a cardboard box! I need my comforter and my...

Maggie: Was listening to that whole lecture and making us worry about Mom our punishment? It worked, coz I’m not making fun of people anymore - not even that boy at school with the mohawk haircut - and I feel really bad now. Almost sick to my stomach. Isn’t that what punishment is supposed to do for you? Change your ways and make you sick?

Dad: No, that wasn’t your punishment. That is coming now. (Mom walks in.) Hey honey, I thought you were going to take a nap.

Mom: I tried but all I could do was toss and turn. How far have we gotten with the punishment lecture?

Dad: We've been talking about other things. We're just getting started actually. Would you like to tell them the consequences of their actions yesterday?

Mom: Okay, all we have heard for the past 2 months are the toys, gadgets, or things you want for Christmas. Things you can’t live without. Things all your friends have. Jared, will you get the Bible over there and read Acts 20:35, please.

Jared: Sure Mom. Let’s see…here it is: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Mom: It is clearly evident to us that “I want, I want, I want” is all you think about at Christmas. We have decided that since all you kids think about is what you are going to get - or as the good book calls it - receiving - we are going to teach you how to give so you will be so much more blessed.

All children: HUH?

Dad: You will not be getting anything from your parents this year for Christmas.

Jared: No presents?

Maggie: (to Bekah) I knew after they got by with starving us yesterday it would get worse today!

Bekah: I just don’t understand. How can you celebrate Christmas and not give any gifts?!

Mom: No honey, that’s not what I said. I said we weren’t going to buy you children any gifts - we’re giving you all $150.00 each…

Kids: (cheering yeah, way to go, etc.)

Mom: Yes, $150 to do something nice for someone else…

Kids: (shocked) What?? (not all at the same time)

Bekah: Thanks Laura, that makes me feel so much better.

Makayla: Next time, if you hate to say something, then don’t say it!

Ashlee: Do you think if our parents talked to your parents and explained that they think this is cruel and unusual punishment, they might lighten up?

Makayla: No, no, no, no, no way!

Bekah: Why?

Makayla: I know my parents, and they will think this is a great idea and then they’ll do the same thing to me! Uh uh! No Way!.

Laura: She’s got a point there. I’m sorry you’re in this mess Bekah, but bringing our parents in won’t help a bit. I can see it next Christmas. They’ll be having a big county - no - statewide meeting called PAACPFTC -Parents Association Against Christmas Presents For Their Children!

Bekah: You guys are crazy.

Jared: Hey guys, we’re gonna set up a video camera to see who keeps steeling baby Jesus.

Makayla: Good idea, but why don’t you just have whoever is running the camera stand there and wait for the thief? You don’t even need a camera for that!

Jared: We’re going to miss the nativity - we’re going to miss Christmas Day altogether - if its gonna take everybody this long!

Dad: Jared, hush up. Go ahead Maggie, we’re listening.

Maggie: Mary Beth said her Daddy got laid off - she told me that meant he didn’t have a job anymore - laid off from the plant - that’s a factory….

Jared: (groans as if he is aggravating. Dad lightly smacks him on head!)

Maggie: Anyway, they didn’t have any money to buy Christmas presents.

Mom: And what did you do?

Maggie: Remember a couple of days ago when I was late getting home? Mary Beth and I walked over to the mall and bought all her brothers and sisters - there are five of them - some presents - and a pair of gloves for her mom and dad - and had them all gift wrapped. She was so happy! And then we started looking at clothes for ourselves and I noticed that she had a big tear in the side of her jacket, and it looked old and ...well...sort of dirty. I said, “Why don’t you try this on?” as I held up a cool purple jacket. She tried it on and it fit like a glove! She tried to get me not to buy it, but I did anyway. We even had it gift wrapped so she would have a present to unwrap tomorrow morning, too.