A Christmas Miracle

     When something wonderful happens unexpectedly it is always a welcomed event, and yet, many wonderful things happen to people all the time that cannot be considered miracles.

     Miracles are not always unexpected, but they are unexplainable. And, coincidentally, they usually occur when the need is greatest. Perhaps that is why miracles seem to happen more around Christmas, and why Christmas miracles seem a bit more special.

     When my brother and I were very young, our dad was having a rough time. Nothing seemed to be working out right. He lost his job, the bills were piling up, and he was about to lose the car. And, back then, most families only had one car, and it was greatly needed to get from the suburbs into the city where most the jobs were.

     Another thing different back then was the lack of social assistance programs and charities. There were some, but probably only one-tenth the number that are around today.

     In other words, if you did not have a rich relative, belong to a local church, or live in a small community where everyone knew everyone else, there was little chance of anyone taking an interest in your problems.

     If your dad happened to be a very proud man, who worked hard all his life, and would never ask for a helping hand, it compounded the problem: to my knowledge, even family and friends were not told the extent of our need.

     When it progressed to the point that the frig was empty, cupboards bare, and there was nothing for Christmas, it became too much for my dad to bear.

     I overheard my parent's arguing. I could not hear all the words, but it was obvious my dad had made up his mind to do something that my mom was not happy about. In fact, she sounded really scared.

     Her fears transferred to my brother and I as we watched, in stunned silence, as my father walked out the door carrying his only gun.

     "What's Dad going to do, Mom?" we asked, but we got no answer as tears ran down her cheeks.

     "Is there anything we can do?" my brother asked.

     She came to us, gave each of us a long endearing hug, and told us to pray. She then walked back to her room and closed the door. --- We could hear her crying inside.

     My brother and I didn't know what to do or say. Our family had not been to church for a few years. My dad put a stop to the family going after an incident where he felt my mom had been unfairly treated.

     It was a couple of days before Christmas. It was night, cold, and rainy. In fact, it felt like the darkest night of my entire childhood.

     I had no idea what my father had gone out to do, or why he needed the gun. It could not be good or my mom would not be so upset.

     Would there be more trouble to deal with? Would I even see my dad again?

     My brother and I had been asleep for hours before my dad came back home.

     When I awoke it was the middle of the night, and I heard voices in the living room. Upon investigation I saw my parent's quietly conversing.

     As it turned out, not only was my dad proud, he was too honest to do whatever he had felt tempted to do: which lifted some of the worry off my mother. But we were still cold, hungry, and without anything for Christmas.

     So you can imagine what I felt like when I awoke the next day to find my parent's in the kitchen unloading boxes, bags, and baskets that people had dropped off. There was also a Christmas tree with numerous presents underneath.

     Was it a miracle?

     My parent's had not told anyone of our plight, and the people who came bearing food and gifts didn't know each other, and lived miles apart.

     What inspired several unconnected families to take time out on Christmas Eve, and give hundreds of dollars in cash, food, and gifts to someone miles away who had not even mentioned a need for assistance?

     To this day I cannot explain it. --- And the day after Christmas my dad got a new job.

     Have you ever had a Christmas miracle?

     The same God that watches over us watches over you. If you've never met Him, just ask Him into your heart and your life, and allow Him the opportunity to work a miracle within you.