It was December 23rd and up in the usually peaceful place of Heaven all hell was breaking loose. Rumour had it that, Amy, the angel had pulled one trick too many and was really "in for it'' now.

"I can't help it that some people just don't have a good sense of humor,'' whined Amy.

"I don't think putting hair remover in the choir master's shampoo was very funny!' shouted John - he was the head of all the angels in Amy's sector.

"His hair will grow back, sometime,'' giggled Amy, "it's not like he had that much to begin with.'' "I don't think you're taking this very seriously Amy, you've gone too far this time. I looked the other way when you put a frog in Gabriel's bed and I let it slide when you were caught skipping choir practice, but this time I'm going to have to punish you!'' growled John. Amy was secretly one of John's favourite angels, but he'd never let her know that, though. He liked her fiery personality and talent for creating bedlam. He knew that deep down she had a heart of gold.

"Fine. Punish me, I can take it!'' Amy stated bravely.

"All right, come over here,'' John commanded, "because of your crime you have been banished from Heaven!'' "Well that depends on you now, doesn't it?'' replied John.

"What do I have to do to get back in?'' Amy asked nervously.

"Look into the Earth Window and you will see a man that needs your help,'' stated John.

Amy stared into the swirling pool of clouds and when it cleared she saw a man lying on the floor of a dirty room. The man's hair was soaked with sweat and he was surrounded by a pool of alcohol. His clothes were dirty and it looked like he hadn't had a bath in weeks. His eyes were closed and he was very still.

"Is he even alive?'' Amy asked.

"Oh yes! He is very much alive,'' answered John, "but right now he feels he would be better off dead.'' "What do I have to do for him?'' Amy wanted to know.

"Save his Christmas,'' John stated simply. "If you can save his Christmas by midnight on Christmas Even then you will be allowed back into Heaven. If not, then you will have to wait on earth until next Christmas.'' "I have until midnight on Christmas Eve to save his Christmas.'' repeated Amy.

"That's right, so you'd better get a move on!'' John said hurriedly.

"I'm on my way,'' Amy said as she moved towards the door of John's office.

"Oh, and Amy!'' shouted John, "good luck.'' But she was already gone.

Meanwhile down on earth. Matthew Smith held an ice pack to his head and downed his fourth headache pill of the morning. This procedure was a regular occurrence for Matthew. It seemed that every morning he had a hangover, but he didn't care - nothing mattered anymore.

Matthew is a postman or at least he was before he was laid off. The government had to make cutbacks and he just wasn't vital enough to keep his position. He had tried to find another job, but he didn't seem to have the right qualifications, for anything. So he turned to alcohol. It doesn't care how qualified you are, it treats everybody the same. Matthew's wife, Mary, left him when he started spending more time at Rum Runner's than at home with her and their little girl, Rachel. Things just went from bad to worse.

Just as the feeding of nausea and the throbbing in Matthew's head had died down, he saw a very bright light. Suddenly there was a figure standing in front of him. As his eyes began to focus, he could see a woman with long red hair dressed all in white. He though he could make out wings on her back and some sort of halo-like object above her head.

"I knew I shouldn't have had that last Dark and Stormy,'' Matthew told himself, "I must be still full hot.'' "No, no you're quite sober,'' answered the woman. "Oh I'm sorry, I'm Amy, and I really hope your Matthew Smith or else I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere around Flatts.'' "Yes I'm Matthew Smith, but why are you here?'' asked Matthew with a very puzzled look on his face.

"It's a very long story and I haven't got a lot of time, but basically I'm and angel and I'm here to save your Christmas; so if you wouldn't mind I'd like to get started,'' Amy said all in one breath.

"Now I know I'm full hot,'' laughed Matthew. "An angel, how can you be an angel?'' "Look sparky,'' Amy said angrily. "I've got wings, a halo and I'm dressed all in white. What more do you want?'' "That could just be a costume,'' Matthew retorted, "prove to me that you really are an angel.'' "Okay look at this,'' Amy said, as she flew up over Matthew's head.

Matthew's eyes widened as Amy flew around the room with the greatest of ease.

"Watch out!'' yelled Matthew, but he was too late. Amy crashed into the wall and fell to the ground.

"Ouch! My head,'' groaned Amy.

"Are you okay?'' asked Matthew, his voice full of concern.

"Yes I'm fine. I meant to do that!'' snapped Amy.

"You really must be an angel. No ordinary person could have survived that fall without even a single bruise. You even landed on your head,'' "Matthew stated.

"Now do you believe me?'' Amy questioned.

"Yes I guess I do.'' "Good!'' "You said something before about saving my Christmas,'' Matthew remembered.

"Well don't bother. There are lots of other needy people in the world that could use you help and I'm not even worth the trouble.'' "How can you say that, Matthew? You are worth the trouble! Think of all the good things you've accomplished in your life,'' said Amy.

"Yeh like what?'' Matthew retorted.

"You got the Postman of the Year Award four years in a row,'' Amy answered.

"Ooo big deal,'' Matthew said sarcastically.

"When you were a postman it didn't matter what the weather was like you always got your mail delivered. That's important to people. You also have a beautiful little girl, isn't that a pretty big accomplishment?'' Amy asked.

"How do you know about Rachel'' snapped Matthew.

"I know all about you, Matthew, and I also know that right now Rachel wants her daddy home for Christmas,'' Amy told Matthew.

"I miss her so much.'' Matthew said sadly. "I haven't seen her or her mum in about six months now.'' "Then go see them!'' exclaimed Amy "I'm sure they miss you.'' "No I don't think so,'' Matthew mumbled, "besides I'm a mess, look at me.'' "Hey, you forget who you're talking to, I'm an angel remember. I can do anything,'' Amy said with a smile, "are you willing to at least go see her?'' "Oh, I don't know. It's Christmas Eve. She probably won't even be home,'' Matthew sighed.

"Is it Christmas Eve already? Hurry, I'm running out of time! Let's get you ready! Come on!'' Amy said excitedly.

An hour later Matthew stood in front of a large cedar door that belonged to Mary Smith's small pink cottage. He looked like a new man. He was washed, shaved, dressed and even had a few Christmas presents in his arms.

"Go on, knock on the door,'' urged Amy.

"Okay, okay don't pressure me,'' whispered Matthew. `I'm so nervous.'' Matthew tapped lightly on the door.

"Oh, looks like no one's home. Let's go,'' Matthew said quickly.

"Knock louder and hurry up about it I've only got ten minutes left!'' Amy pushed.

Matthew knocked again only louder this time. Inside Mary Smith wondered who could be at the door. She picked up her daughter, Rachel, and went to answer it. As she opened the door a look of total shock spread over her face.

"Matthew!'' she exclaimed. "It's been so long. We've missed you.'' "I know, I know I'm so sorry. Please can you forgive me? I've changed now,'' Matthew pleaded.

"Of course I can, but why did you decide to come back? Why now?'' Mary questioned.

"Well you see this ang...,'' Matthew faltered as he turned around to find Amy, but she had disappeared. "The friend really helped me get back on my feet. She reminded me of all the great things I had accomplished and made me good about myself again. I guess I owe her a lot.'' Later when Mary and Rachel were opening the presents Matthew had given them Mary asked, "where did you get this angel ornament dear, it's beautiful?'' Matthew looked down at the ornament. The angel had long red hair and was dressed all in white. She had wings on her back and a halo on her head for a second he though he almost saw it wink.

"From a friend, dear, a very good friend.'' UNDER-18 WINNER -- Kathleen Ardis.