Home For ChristmasEvery year, the Snowman Trail booklet has a wonderful Christmas tale to tell. This year we hear how important it is to help others.
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It was a few days before Christmas and Jayne held her toy teddy bear inside her coat to keep him warm as the cold wind blew and a flake or two of snow fell. It was the sort of cold grey day when even teddies were cold, but Jayne loved her old teddy. It was battered, with one eye missing and an arm that had been sewn on many times, but to young Jayne it was everything she had in this world. Her mother had left her alone in a children’s home as she could not cope with a baby.
She was adopted by a young couple who could not have children and they loved her as their own. She had other toys, but nothing could ever take the place of that one teddy bear. It went everywhere with Jayne and for a young girl of four, it meant everything to her.
As she walked with her mother, the teddy was put in the shopping bag along with foster mother Joan’s mobile phone, purse, and a few other items most of which had been bought that day. As they walked into South Street a group of about six mixed aged kids blocked their way.
“What’s in the bag? “ asked one spotty faced youth. “Nothing for you, now leave us alone,” said a nervous Joan.
The group pushed and shoved and finally ran off with the bag and its contents. “No, no, thieves stop, please stop we have little enough, please,” Joan shouted.
Her response was met with a mouthful of abuse. Into the distance ran the youths. Joan grabbed Jayne who was in total shock and broke down on the pavement.
“Someone please help me, please”. shouted a distraught Joan.
A small group of people came to look and offer help, but everyone knew that in this part of town you would be lucky to find a policeman or any real help. Two boys, one a boy about fifteen and another slightly younger, pushed past and quickened their walk, but no-one seemed to care. It was as if this happened every day, and realistically it did.
A woman of possibly African descent took her hand and that of the little girl and said, “There’s a café across the road, let’s go and get a drink. You will feel much better, we British always say when times are bad a cup of tea always helps.”
“They took my money, some goods I had bought for Christmas, my purse, mobile phone and even an old teddy bear which means everything to my daughter,” said a tearful Joan.
“Don’t worry I am sure we can muster up enough for a cuppa and even a cake or two. What are your names? “added the lady.
“I am Joan, and this is my daughter, Jayne. We were doing a bit of shopping with the last of our money for Christmas. Getting some socks and a few sweets for my husband, and a small gift for Jayne, when these boys mugged us. My husband is hard working, but he can only work part time due to his illness and we just about manage. What makes kids do that? What sort of a world do we live in?” asked Joan.
“My name is Martha, I was born in England and always see this as my home. My mother was white, and my father was black, but I am lucky as I have a good husband who is white and I attend the ‘Holy House of Jesus Christ Church. Both my parents died very young, my mother in childbirth and my father was a fireman who saved a child in a house fire, went back to save the dog, and the roof collapsed. He was killed, but the dog got out alive. Don’t worry about Christmas our Church does a family Christmas Day in the Church Hall and I know Pastor Michael will extend the hand of friendship to you, your little girl and your husband. Do you want tea of coffee?” asked Martha.
After taking tea and cake together, both Martha and Joan agreed to meet again tomorrow, same time and same place. Martha took Joan and Jayne home in her car, commenting, “I believe in miracles, this car is one. It keeps going but only God knows how.” she added.
Martha pulled up a few minutes later in a poor rundown area of the city. It was clear to Martha that, they must come and share Christmas together in the Holy House of Jesus Christ Church. Martha arranged to pick them both up the next day at 11.00am for tea and cake again, but she knew she would have to contact Pastor Michael by phone straight away and see if they could attend the Christmas Day celebrations in the Church Hall as Christmas was only a couple of days away.
Pastor Michael listened to Martha’s story, and she knew what he would say. “I love my food and Christmas is a time for sharing. We always have plenty to go around, I can arrange some presents for them, and I would gladly welcome them. Please can you give them details, times etc. They are more than welcome to the Church service, but if they don’t want to attend then I will understand, but the House of God is always welcoming not just at Christmas but at all times, and especially at times of need”.
Pastor Michael put the phone down and was glad he was able to help. He was about to make a cup of tea when there was a knock at the door. Before him stood two boys he knew from Church. One about fifteen was Sam Brown and the other about thirteen was his brother, John Brown. They told the Pastor what had happened, the mugging, the tears and everything. The Pastor was a very wise man, he had a couple of Community Support Officers who attended the Church, and he knew the best course of action. He also had a good idea of the gang of criminals, if you could call young idiots that! He knew he could sort that out. The young boys left what they had brought with them.
The next day the three of them returned to the café and Martha reported the news that Pastor Michael wished them all to attend the Christmas Day meal and the party. They were most welcome to come along to the service, which Joan thought would be a good idea as it was many years since they had attended a Church Service at Christmas or for that matter any other time. Joan knew her husband would go along with the plan to attend.
Christmas Day arrived, and the church was full. In fact, it was an eye opener as there were people of every colour in the congregation. The Christmas story was told, and the pastor blessed everyone. He pointed out that this Church had probably more different members of the Community than any other. There were Christian people from India, Pakistan, Israel, West Indians, Africa, Great Britain, etc, etc. This was a real House of God where everyone was welcome, not just at Christmas but always.
After the service they all went into the adjoining Church Hall, which was beautifully decorated with Christmas streamers, balloons, lights, and one of the biggest Christmas Trees that Joan, her husband and Jayne had ever seen. There was a proper Christmas Dinner with crackers, a children’s entertainer, Sonic Boom Road Show Mobile Disco and a D.J. Everyone was happy and presents were passed around. Joan was overcome with emotion and in tears. The family had never had a day like this. Everyone welcomes everyone like long lost friends. Even Jayne was able to raise a smile and had almost forgotten what had happened days before.
Pastor Michael put the phone down and was glad he was able to help. He was about to make a cup of tea when there was a knock at the door. Before him stood two boys he knew from Church. One about fifteen was Sam Brown and the other about thirteen was his brother, John Brown. They told the Pastor what had happened, the mugging, the tears and everything. The Pastor was a very wise man, he had a couple of Community Support Officers who attended the Church, and he knew the best course of action. He also had a good idea of the gang of criminals, if you could call young idiots that! He knew he could sort that out. The young boys left what they had brought with them.
The next day the three of them returned to the café and Martha reported the news that Pastor Michael wished them all to attend the Christmas Day meal and the party. They were most welcome to come along to the service, which Joan thought would be a good idea as it was many years since they had attended a Church Service at Christmas or for that matter any other time. Joan knew her husband would go along with the plan to attend.
Christmas Day arrived, and the church was full. In fact, it was an eye opener as there were people of every colour in the congregation. The Christmas story was told, and the pastor blessed everyone. He pointed out that this Church had probably more different members of the Community than any other. There were Christian people from India, Pakistan, Israel, West Indians, Africa, Great Britain, etc, etc. This was a real House of God where everyone was welcome, not just at Christmas but always.
After the service they all went into the adjoining Church Hall, which was beautifully decorated with Christmas streamers, balloons, lights, and one of the biggest Christmas Trees that Joan, her husband and Jayne had ever seen. There was a proper Christmas Dinner with crackers, a children’s entertainer, Sonic Boom Road Show Mobile Disco and a D.J. Everyone was happy and presents were passed around. Joan was overcome with emotion and in tears. The family had never had a day like this. Everyone welcomes everyone like long lost friends. Even Jayne was able to raise a smile and had almost forgotten what had happened days before.
Santa Claus arrived and handed out presents to everyone who was there. Could the day get any better? Pastor Michael thanked everyone for coming and all the helpers that had helped on that day. He reminded everyone that they were invited to the Boxing Day leftovers and present exchange, which was where you could swap or trade any unwanted presents or donate one if you had two of the same present to charity.
Finally, Pastor Michael said there were two things left to do. First, he told the story of the mugging of Joan and Jayne. How he, on behalf of the Church had welcomed them to the Christmas Day celebrations and the gifts. He hoped they would come along again to the church, and they would be welcome anytime. He asked them to stand, and the crowd applauded them. He then invited the Community Police Officers on to the stage along with the six young thugs. They were shocked as the people shouted, ‘shame on you’, ‘what made you do it’, etc. The oldest one apologised and said they were sorry. They thought it was a bit of fun and rather than face the courts they had agreed, along with the Officers to do some community work in the Church Hall, the local parks and even decorate some old people’s houses. The Officers summed it up by saying, “They hoped they would all now work together in their local area to improve the outlook for the Community”.
Just before the event finished, Pastor Michael had one last thing to do and that was to ask everyone to look at the star on the top of the Christmas Tree. Everyone looked as a light lit up the top of the tree where an old Teddy Bear with one eye and an arm that had been sewn on many times, hung there looking as pleased as punch!
Finally, Pastor Michael said there were two things left to do. First, he told the story of the mugging of Joan and Jayne. How he, on behalf of the Church had welcomed them to the Christmas Day celebrations and the gifts. He hoped they would come along again to the church, and they would be welcome anytime. He asked them to stand, and the crowd applauded them. He then invited the Community Police Officers on to the stage along with the six young thugs. They were shocked as the people shouted, ‘shame on you’, ‘what made you do it’, etc. The oldest one apologised and said they were sorry. They thought it was a bit of fun and rather than face the courts they had agreed, along with the Officers to do some community work in the Church Hall, the local parks and even decorate some old people’s houses. The Officers summed it up by saying, “They hoped they would all now work together in their local area to improve the outlook for the Community”.
Just before the event finished, Pastor Michael had one last thing to do and that was to ask everyone to look at the star on the top of the Christmas Tree. Everyone looked as a light lit up the top of the tree where an old Teddy Bear with one eye and an arm that had been sewn on many times, hung there looking as pleased as punch!
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