The first Christmas after my husband and I divorced looked as though it was going to be very hard. I had four children, two teenagers and two little ones aged four and three, and virtually no money for food or gifts. 
We also had no parents or other family relatives to help out. Very few people knew of my predicament, and I hadn't gone to, or notified any charity organization, but I was determined to do what I could for my children.
I priced out and budgeted for a humble Christmas dinner, a chicken to roast, some vegetables and salad greens, and for dessert tinned peaches and icecream. No pies, cake or candy.
Having the dinner menu settled in my mind, I thought of other things. I had no money for a Christmas tree, either real or artificial, but I found a branch that had snapped off a gum( Eucalyptus) tree, it still had all its leaves, so I dragged it into the living room, and the children and I decorated it with what we had, some strings of silver tinsel, a few glass balls, some paper streamers, and the little ones thought it was beautiful.
Still nothing for gifts, but just before Christmas a small cheque arrived in the mail, so I was able to buy each of the children a few small gifts, wrapped in bright paper. The gifts were humble, but I was thankful I was able to give them anything at all.
So Christmas day came, and just as we were finishing lunch there was a knock at the door, and there stood two young men holding large boxes. They smiled brightly and said they had been sent with gifts for us. 'We're Angels!' announced one of them with a smile.
Bemused, I let them in, and they started to unpack the boxes. One had an array of foodstuffs, A Christmas cake, assorted candy and chocolates,Tinned ham, fruit, and even practical things like boxed cereal and bread.
The second box contained several gifts for each for the children, and even a box of chocolates and lavender talcum powder and soap for me! It was all amazing, and when I asked the "Angels' if they would like a cup of coffee or a soft drink they thanked me but said they had further places to go.
I never did find out who had sent those Angels, nor who had told them we were a family in need of a little help.
So, our frugal Christmas day was considerably enriched by the goodness of unknown persons, and I have never forgotten that day.
Ellie from Melbourne, Australia
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One year my Mother found a good sized tree branch laying in our farmyard, and stripped the leaves off, then spray painted it white, then brought it in the house and stuck it in the tree stand, then decorated it as usual. I don't know if she did it because we were more hard up than normal that year or if she was feeling like something different.
Isn't God wonderful? He knew exactly what you were going through and he intervened, brought you exactly what you needed when you needed it, and gave you a wonderful Christmas, I have been there. I was not divorced but had a sickly child, so we had no money, but God was there with his "angels".
Hi, and that act of kindness and charity wasn't just about the material things was it? Knowing other people care about you and what you are going through makes the difference between coping and not coping.
Yes, I also believe in miracles. A few years ago I was desperately hard up and my teenage son REALLY needed to do a computer course to get him into the (free) college he needed to attend. I mentioned nothing to anybody, so I thought, but I was very worried about my son's future. One day, I looked in the letter box and found an envelope addressed to me with no stamp containing EXACTLY the amount of money I needed for this course! I never found out who it was, but from that day, whenever someone comes knocking on the door asking for me to donate for various charities, I ALWAYS give something. Money is still scarce in my home, but whatever I can, I give. If I was helped, then I try to help others too.
That is a truly beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it!
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