The Christmas Tree Miracle
By Sheila Martinez

The year 1981 was a time of seemingly endless struggle – struggle for work, struggle for the commitment in my marriage, the struggle for life itself.

It was an awesome time I would not trade for gold now, because it taught me to look deeper and to expect answers when I ask for understanding.

As the Christmas season drew near, my family’s financial outlook was not conducive to that holly, jolly feeling. One day, as I was driving, I began to talk to God. There was no money that year for a Christmas tree. And to me, more than anything Christmas wasn’t Christmas without a tree.

I prayed, “Lord, I know that this will not help the world or show anyone a great truth, but if I am asking for my desire, it would be a Christmas tree. Would you please provide a Christmas tree for us this year? Presents don’t matter, but it just won’t be Christmas without a tree.”

Days went by. I continued on, trying not to let the depression that so often accompanies the holiday season become my companion. Each passing day made the prospect of putting up a tree less likely.

The night came for our church’s holiday pageant. My husband and I traveled home with the warm spirit that permeated the entire presentation. The smiles of the children, the songs of caring, and the hope that the holidays hold had brought a new glow about us.

Glancing over to the side of the freeway, I noticed two bundles ahead of us alongside the barrier. As we approached the shapes, I realized what they were -- two Christmas trees still wrapped in netting for shipping.

"Stop!" I shouted. "Stop, back up! It's my Christmas tree! That's my Christmas tree back there!" My husband slammed on the brakes and quickly backed up, all the while shaking his head.

We quickly got out of the car, and then loaded the trees into our Volkswagen Beetle (a feat in itself) and took them home, marveling at the find. After unwrapping them, the trees turned out to be not only perfect, but my favorite type of evergreen. I was overwhelmed by the caring and loving answer I had received to my prayer.

"But what are we going to do with the other tree?" my husband asked. I immediately thought of a friend in the neighborhood and hurried inside to call her.

I had no idea another miracle was about to take place.

My friend's house was in turmoil because of a few wrong choices made by her teenage son. As I talked to her on the phone, she said she was not able to invite us over, with all the pressure and emotions that were surrounding her. Instead I asked if we could drop something off for her, and she agreed.

My husband and I managed to place the unfurled tree back into the Beetle's front trunk. What a sight we were driving down the street! The windshield was of no use with the tree branches covering the whole width. We were hanging out of the windows as we made our way through the neighborhood, calling out directions to each other as we drove past the houses and parked cars, laughing into the cold wind, excited and full of joy.

Imagine the look on my friend's face as we pulled up in front of her house, with a Christmas tree seemingly growing our of our car!

"What in the world are you up to?" she asked, with tired eyes showing traces of the tears she had shed. As I got out of the car, a smile was just beginning to touch her face.

I gave her a quick hug and a brief explanation, trying not to overwhelm her with my excitement. I managed to end with, "…so we brought the other tree to you!"

With a real smile and a hug, she helped us carry the tree into the house. Her children came running to the front room and looked at the tree and then back to their mother, as if asking for permission to be excited. As we walked back out, I saw the youngest child standing next to the tree with a look of wonder only a child can possess.

The next day my friend called to tell me what happened after we left. With the tree laying in the floor the first thing they did was to find the tree stand, since they had to make room to walk through the room. Then, one box at a time, out came the Christmas decorations. The history of the family was being laid out in front of them - stockings, a wreath, lights - the memories of a family together. As they decorated the tree, the stress began to fall away and the events of the last few days began to come into perspective. Before going to bed that night, a glistening Christmas tree stood in their living room. The simple act of decorating the tree had drawn the family together in an act of love.

Christmas is an event created by love, and for love. That particular year, not only did the love come to me in an answered prayer, but it reached through me to others who were standing in pain and loss.

As my children grew up, I have told them this story many times; it is one of their favorite holiday stories. Their eyes would gleam, as with each retelling they considered anew the unseen and allowed faith and hope to arise in their little hearts. I received the blessing of the miracle all over again, as I watched my son and daughter began to embrace life with the eyes of faith.

After hearing the story over again, at the age of about 8, my son lifted his wise little face up to me and said, "Mom, I just know that there were angels on top of that truck that was carrying those trees. They were looking back the whole time watching. They were waiting for you! As they watched, one said, 'Here she comes! Throw the trees off here. She can't help but see them.'"

Life has a joy for those who will not accept less. There is a gift of love and hope, and there is a place where miracles can happen.

May the miraculous find the pathway into your life, and may peace and the wondrous love be your portion this holiday season as it was for me and mine that year of the Christmas tree miracle.


If you would like to comment on this article, please send an email to:sheila@vine3.org.