Don't Judge

A Christmas Medley - 5th December

... He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;

The rest of the readings, never mind the sermon, were lost on Sam. All she could think about were those two verses.

She knew that she was being unfair on Matt. And if she were to follow Jesus, then she needed to accept everyone around her just as they were, not judging them by her own senses. She needed to consider what Jesus thought of them - and she knew the answer to that one.

She sighed inwardly. Ok. So she knew she was being horrible. But how could she put things right? She had absolutely no idea.

Bible passages from Isaiah 11:3b NRSV

Contemplation

A Christmas Medley - 4th December

.... Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!

The rain lashed the windows as they relaxed in the lounge. Too bored to watch TV, they were both lying on the floor doodling on a scrap of paper Sam had found, while working their way through an album of Christmas carols. Mom had taken Billy out to visit a play mate for the afternoon, and Dad was down at the church, so they had the house to themselves.

'So you had to walk with Matt last night?' Judy asked Sam, glancing sideways at her.

Sam rolled her eyes. 'Yes ... I didn't have a choice. It was either walking with him, or not be in the play. I had to be there.'

Judy smiled, 'It was good to have you there. I'm really glad that you came. And you're an angel!'

'I feel so inadequate to be an angel, though. Judy, you should have seen them! They were ... indescribable!'

'You don't have to be the same as them. You never can be. But you can just be yourself. That counts more.' Judy said, understanding Sam's problem.

'I know, I know. I still feel really disoriented. I'm me, but I feel ... sort of ... different.'

'So ... What do you think of Matt, now that you've spent some more time with him?' Judy grinned.

'Judy! I probably know him better than any other person in school! He just ... annoys me! He's so ... gangly ... and ... '

'Sam, are you so sure you know him?' Judy reached over to hold her hand. 'I think there are a few things about him I know that you don't, and one thing is that he's crazy about you.'

'Ew! Thanks for letting me know!'

Sam felt rather embarrassed at her reaction. This dream she had had was sure making her change the way she thought about people. But Matt? No way! But then there was that man who had been in her dream. Somehow she knew she needed to do better. But how?

Song extract from "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Heartsink

A Christmas Medley - 3rd December

'Mom, can I go down to the church hall tonight?' Sam called from the lounge.

'What's happening there?' her Mom replied, 'And come through here to the kitchen - there's no need to shout.'

Sam got off the couch and went through to the kitchen, a spring in her step. She scooped her little brother Billy out of his chair, cooing at him. 'They're having a practice for the Nativity play, and I want to be in it. Judy told me that I can go along this week if I still want to be in it. Please can I go?'

'How are you going to get there? You know I can't drop you off or fetch you, and Dad's away.'

Sam felt her heart sinking. 'Can't I just walk there? It only takes twenty minutes, and it's well lit all the way.'

'I'd rather you didn't. Why don't you phone Matthew? I know he's in it, and I'd be happier if you were with him. He's such a nice boy.'

... He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease ...

Sam's heart dropped to her shoes. She couldn't stand Matt. He just annoyed her. It didn't help that he lived just two houses down, or that her Mom was best friends with his. She thought about saying she wouldn't bother going, but then she remembered her dream. She hugged little Billy to her.

'Ok. I'll give him a ring and see if I can walk down with him. Thanks Mum!' She kissed Billy on the cheek, and handed him back to Mom. She still wasn't too happy at asking Matt to walk her, but if it meant her being in the play .....

... I wish I had a river
I could skate away on.

Extracts from River, by Joni Mitchell

Memories

A Christmas Medley - 2nd December

'Hey Judy,' Sam greeted her friend as she found her sitting in the cafeteria at lunch time. 'How's your day going?'

'Oh, mine's ok,' Judy answered, clearing the table of her books so that Sam could join her. 'And yours'?

'Ok,' Sam shrugged as she sat down with her food, dropping her bag on the chair alongside. 'Actually, really weird.'

'Huh? How's that?'

'Well, you see, I had this dream last night. Actually, I'm not sure that it was a dream, really. You're going to think I'm mad,' Sam looked at Judy.

'Try me,' Judy answered, opening her hands in a welcoming gesture.

'Hmmm. I'm not sure I should even tell you,' Sam looked at her food, worrying over whether or not this dream was for her alone, or for her to share. She shook her head. 'Well, basically, I dreamt that I was with the shepherds in the Bible when the angels came to tell them about Jesus' birth. It was really strange, and really ... Judy, I think I was really there!'

Judy watched her friend. She had seen something different about Sam today. She seemed to be more at peace today than Judy had sensed for a long time. Whatever had happened last night, it was good.

... O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.

The words came unbidden to her mind, an old poem that she had read years ago. And with them, peace.

Extract from 'A Christmas Carol' by Chesterton

A Mountain Breeze

A Christmas Medley - 1st December

Day left as sleep claimed her heavy eyelids, drawing her into the world of the unconscious. It had been a long day, but ended with the satisfaction of a well-decorated house and Christmas tree.

........

She shivered as the cold mountain breeze flowed over her bare arms.

'Here, hold this around you,' a kindly man's voice said, and she felt a rough blanket being draped over her shoulders.

'Thank you,' she responded automatically, trying to gather her bearings. 'Where are we? And who are you?'

'So many questions?' the man next to her asked in return, smiling at her.

She took a good look at him. He had long hair, a long moustache and a long beard. All of his hair was grey, but he did not look as old as she would have thought he was, having grey hair. He was tall, well-built, with a weathered but kind, open face.

'Let's just say that I am a friend. This isn't the first time you've met me, and it won't be the last. But we digress. Watch.' And so saying, he gestured towards the valley in front of them.

As Sam turned towards the valley, the sky began to light up. As she watched, the diffuse light eventually coalesced into forms recognisable as humanoid. A sense of immeasurable peace flowed through her. One of the beings spoke, seemingly to a group of shepherds who were seated around their campfire just along the hillside from them. The being's voice thundered over the valley:

'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

As the angel finished speaking, a countless number of angels joined those already present. Together they sang. These are the gist of the words that Sam heard that night:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.

With a sigh of contentment, Sam turned to her companion, to find him gone. As she looked back toward the valley, everything faded into blackness ....

Bible passages from Luke 2:10-12,14 NIV