A Tiny Miracle

Each year around Christmas I would write a Christmas story that I would pass out to family and friends. I have just recently gotten back into this tradition. I would like to share with you the second Christmas story I ever wrote. While not the best, it still holds importance of the season in my heart...I hope you enjoy...

Four-year-old Sally Marie waited patiently for the snow to come. The smell of gingerbread filled every cranny of that festive little house on the corner of Weston Street. Mamma placed the last gooey batch of gingerbread men into the oven and tiptoed quietly into the den to see if that inquisitive and brilliant little girl of hers had seen any Christmas flakes fall.

The den was trimmed in tinsel and white lights. A comfortable fire burned in the fireplace, and a highly over-decorated tree stood proudly in the right corner of the room. In the opposite corner sat the most beautiful girl ever. Massive auburn ringlets covered every inch of her head. Freckles kissed her face, while her deep green eyes leaped with youthfulness. Red overalls and a clean white shirt, and matching tennis shoes adorned this God made ornament.

“Any snow yet,” Mamma said softly being sure not to startle her daughter. “No Mamma, but it will be here soon I can feel it in my fingers and toes,” exclaimed Sally Marie never allowing her eyes to stray from the window. The tiniest most unique snowflake slowly fell from the gray puffy sky. “IT’S SNOWING! IT’S SNOWING!” little Sally Marie dashed to the front door, flung it open, and ran out into the front yard. “Sally get back in this house and put a coat on,” said Mamma as she ran outside, coat in hand, and placed it around the jubilant shoulders of her excited child.

The snow fell all through the night, clinging to everything it touched. Sally ate three gingerbread men and fell fast asleep in her bed, which as she put it, was filled with angel feathers. “The best darn bed ever, God made it special for me,” Sally Marie would say. Mamma stayed up for Pappa, watching the snow play the ground like a grand piano. The door flew open and in stepped Pappa. The Christmas lights danced in the tiny melted snowflakes on his jacket. “Any news,” Mamma asked sweetly.
“No dear nothing new. Everyone always says the same thing we just can’t use you right now.”
“Something will show up soon. The Lord will take care of us,” Mamma said cheerfully as she placed Pappa’s faded coat and worn out boots in the closet. “Things will look better in the morning.”

This small little family on the corner of Weston Street had love and not much else. Pappa lost his job a little over seven months ago, and had been searching for work ever since. Now it was Christmas and still no income. It didn’t look like they were going to have a Christmas at all. Still there was very little complaining in that family. Everyone was grateful for what they had. Mamma was grateful that she had a ham to prepare, the little house of there’s, and most important Pappa and Sally Marie. Pappa was thankful that they still had a roof over their heads, and that his family stood by him. Little Sally Marie was most proud of her bed to sleep on, and the little doll that her great grandmother gave her. You never would know that this family was in need, but they were and in a very bad way. Pappa didn’t know how much longer they would be able to keep that roof over their heads.
The days came and went and soon it was Christmas Eve. Mamma sat on the corner of her bed crying. Sally Marie slowly turned the knob with her chubby little fingers, and walked in to console her hurt Mamma. “Don’t cry Mamma, don’t cry,” she said placing those little fingers on Mamma’s back. “Oh my sweet Sally Marie I will be okay, thank you for checking up on me.” What Mamma hadn’t told her little girl or Pappa is that she was pregnant. How could this have happened when there wasn’t enough food or money to take care of three people much less a hungry growing baby?

Pappa came home late that night, and Mamma waited up to tell him the news. Through their tears they vowed to work something out, and this would be a joyous time. Then Pappa pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper from his pocket. He gently unwrapped the small object with his large hands so Mamma could see what he got their daughter for Christmas. It was a crystal star ornament that shimmered in the brilliant firelight. “She’ll love it,” Mamma said with a sigh. They knew that they had each other and that was all. With the bills pilling up it was very likely that they soon would find themselves homeless with no where to go.

Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door. At first Pappa thought it was the wind, but it came again a small ‘rap-tap-tap’. He went to the door and there were a group of carolers singing ‘Silent Night’. Pappa and Mamma thanked them, and asked if they would like to come in out of the cold. They gladly obliged. “How did you find this place,” Pappa said knowing that the corner of Weston Street was far from town, and way out of the carolers’ way. “She said that we had very important business here, and what we needed to do.” At that moment he pulled out a small package and asked Mamma to peak inside. “Sugar,” she exclaimed. “Thank you sir so much.” One by one the others began taking their treasure out of their bags and coats, potatoes, cured meat, bread, milk, cheese, water and the list goes on and on. Tears were streaming down Mamma’s face as her and Pappa thanked each one. “Tonight you will be greeted by several people led by God to bless your Christmas and give them something that have been missing in theirs for a long time,” the leader of the choir said as he shook Pappa’s hand. “Good night and God bless.”

Sure enough many visits followed. People brought clothes for Mamma, Pappa, Sally Marie, and the new baby, which no one could have known about in town. They also brought new shoes and warm blankets. One man brought enough money to pay for the bills that had been pilling up. Mamma and Pappa could not believe their eyes as people gave all through the night.

As the sun began to break with its splendor that Christmas morn a small still voice began to sing, “Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm all is bright.” “Sally Marie,” Mamma said with delight, “is that you come and see what the Lord has brought.” Mamma looked about her. She found the blankets, the clothes for her, Pappa and the new baby, but where in the world were Sally Marie’s things. She looked on the tree to see if the star was still there. She sat down with a fright as she saw the tiny star shine with the brilliance of the sun. “Pappa wake up,” Mamma said pushing on Pappa’s shoulder. “What is it?” Pappa said with a yawn. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. “Look at the tree,” Mamma said. “I think you might want to look at our daughter first,” Pappa exclaimed. “Sally Marie, what on earth…” Mamma never got her word out. Sally Marie stood in front of her parents shining brighter than the sun or the star ornament. “Sally?” Pappa questioned. “Yes,” Sally said most pleased with the reaction. “What’s going on?” Mamma said tears welling up in her eyes. “I am an angel,” Sally Marie said.
“No you are not, you are our daughter!”
“No, I’m and angel sent to guide those to you during this difficult time, and to help prepare for the blessing that God has given you.”

Pappa found Sally Marie abandoned in the old shed past the river on Christmas Eve four years ago. When Pappa brought the little bundle home Mamma leaped with joy and knew that this was the best gift ever. From that moment they raised her as their own, loving and adoring her. It amazed both Pappa and Mamma at how smart their little girl was, and they knew that she was going to grow into a fine young woman one day.

“It was all planned,” Sally said with those big green eyes gleaming. “I was placed in the shed for a reason. I watched over you and guided you just as you guided me.”
“This can’t be true,” Mamma said. “I want my little girl back.”
“I will always consider you my Mamma, and you my Pappa. If I could have had parents you would be the ones I would have hoped for, but now I have a more important task at hand. Hold out your hand.”
Mamma did as the angel she once called her beloved daughter asked. Sally Marie placed a tiny box in her Mamma’s hand. Then she leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You are to have a son and his name will be called James. When James turns four year old let him open this box with love from the Lord up above, me, and you and Pappa.” With that Sally Marie gave both her parents a kiss. “I will watch over you, but most important remember the Savior born on this day is watching you and guiding you. Pappa ask Mr. Nelson again, this time he will say yes.” In an instant the girl they had called their own was gone. Both cried and held each other tight.

The months passed and Pappa had been working for Mr. Nelson for a while when he got a call that Mamma was having her baby. James Nathaniel was born and all of Heaven rejoiced. As he grew he became the apple of his parent’s eye and to the Lord up above.


Gingerbread once again filled every cranny of that festive little house on the corner of Weston Street. Mamma asked James if he had seen any Christmas flakes yet. “No Mamma, but it will be here soon I can feel it in my fingers and my toes.” James’s face was plastered to the window. “Fingers and toes,” Mamma thought. That night as Pappa read a story to James, Mamma went into the den and said, “James I have a present for you.” “On Christmas Eve,” James said with delight.” “Yes dear.” Pappa and Mamma watched carefully as their beautiful son opened the tiny box, inside was a tiny snow globe. Inside the snow globe was that cozy little house on the corner of Weston Street. Hovering over the top of the house was the most gorgeous angel you have ever seen. James shook the tiny globe and a snowstorm appeared. In the bottom of the box was a note.

‘To James:
All my love,
your angel Sally Marie
and your Savior, Jesus.’

“This is the best gift ever,” James said. Tears flowing, Mamma told James to get his coat on. “Why?” James asked with confusion. “Well, if you want to play in the snow you have to put on a coat first.” James jumped to his feet and ran to the window. Sheets of snow were bunching up in piles all about the ground. “IT’S SNOWING! IT’S SNOWING!” James screamed with delight.

Pappa and Mamma smiled at their son playing in the snow. In the distance came a chorus of familiar voices singing ‘Silent Night’. The carolers that came that first Christmas Eve had been coming every Christmas since. “She was the most beautiful little angel ever, with auburn ringlets stuck out all over her head,” the leader of the choir would say thinking fondly on that night a miracle happened.


Many years later that same snow globe given to a young boy sat at the desk of a faithful and loving Pastor who shepherded his flock with the love of Jesus in his heart.