The Christmas Tree Miracle

Read on December 21

Story provided by Sharon

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” —Proverbs 11:25

Sharon spent Christmas of 1960 on Adak, Alaska, a small island almost at the end of the Aleutian Islands. Most supplies had to be carried in on Navy ships. Her dad was a career Navy man, and they had been stationed there for three years.

A few weeks before Christmas, Sharon’s dad informed the family that the ship bringing the Christmas trees had taken on water.

What would Christmas be without a tree?

On Christmas Eve, the family heard a commotion outside and music. The kids ran to the door and saw a Navy flatbed truck festooned with Christmas lights coming slowly down the road. The truck soon stopped, and a young serviceman knocked on their door. Sharon’s mom opened the door, and the man handed her a small, three-foot tree, calling out, “Merry Christmas!” 

Somehow, the Navy had sent trees to them in time for Christmas Day. It was the scrawniest tree Sharon had ever seen, but as kids they were elated. Their prayers had been answered. Once decorated, they thought it was the best tree they’d ever had. 

Sharon is now seventy years old and still considers that Christmas her most memorable.

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are often referred to as the gifts in the Christmas story. But the wise men didn’t arrive until later. Those are actually the gifts of the “Flight to Egypt” story. However, the biblical Christmas story does include gifts.

Mary and Joseph were gifted with a quiet, private place where she could give birth to her child. The innkeeper didn’t have to send his animals away, but he did.

Mary and Joseph were gifted with a visit from the shepherds. Their presence was further encouragement to the young couple that the baby Jesus was the Son of God. Scripture says, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

The simple gifts of Christmas are often measured by the kindness of others. They are the memories that we “ponder” years later and “treasure in our hearts.” For Sharon, it was a three-foot Christmas tree that arrived on Christmas Eve. 

What memory comes to your mind?

More importantly, what memory can you help provide that someone else will treasure?