Free A Treasury of Christmas Miracles by Karen Kingsbury

were trying to figure out what was wrong with Noel.
    “Eventually I had the kitten checked by a veterinarian, and she told us the poor little thing was deaf,” Mary told them.
    Susie petted the kitten and then got Noel’s attention. Her hands moving, she said, “See, Noel. She’s perfect and beautiful
     and special, just like the other kittens. The only difference is she can’t hear.”
    Noel smiled, snuggling her face up close to the kitten’s. Then she looked at her mother and with her free hand said, “Let’s
     take her home, Mommy.”
    Over the next few weeks there was no separating Noel and her tiny deaf kitten. Every afternoon she would set the kitten in
     front of her on her bed and use sign language to talk to her. One day Susie watched, trying to understand what Noel was telling
     the kitten.
    “It’s okay, Kitty,” Noel said, her little hands moving slowly so her kitten could understand. “You don’t have to be afraid
     or lonely anymore because now there’s two deaf people in our family. You’re the best Christmas present ever. We’ll be best
     friends for always.”
    Susie walked into the room slowly and sat down next to Noel.
    “You love her, don’t you, Noel?” she signed to her daughter.
    “Yes, Mommy. She and I are both special because we’re both deaf.” Noel looked at her kitten, whose soft white face was tilted
     curiously as she watched Noel’s fingers move. Noel looked back at her mother. “She doesn’t understand sign language yet, but
     when she gets older she will. And then it will be easier for her to talk to me.”
    Noel reached for the kitten and held her close. “Thank you for praying, Mommy. God heard your prayers,” she signed. “He gave
     me a friend who was born deaf just like me. And at Christmastime, too!”
    “Yes, Noel.” Susie smiled. “I was just thinking that. God definitely heard our prayers. Your kitty is the best Christmas present
     of all.”

The First Day
of Christmas
    C ara Wilcox was anxious to get out of the house for a while. It was December 12— the first day of Christmas—and already the
     air was freezing cold outside. Life had been difficult for the Wilcox family lately and Cara had no idea how she’d afford
     Christmas. Times like that cool winter night, Cara knew the only way to get her mind off her worries was to get outside—even
     in their crowded neighborhood—and get some fresh air.
    “Who wants to take a walk?” she asked as she climbed into her coat. It was very dark outside, and Cara’s secure. And that
     evening she planned to walk no more than once around the block.
    Cara looked into the faces of her four children and saw that none of the older three was excited about the idea of a walk.
     Sarah, five, and Joey, seven, shook their heads.
    “We want to watch TV, Mom,” they said.
    Cara looked at her oldest son, Colin, fifteen, and the boy shrugged. “Not tonight, Mom. Okay?”
    “Sure,” she said. “But you watch Joey and Sarah, all right? I’ll take Laura.”
    Her three-year-old daughter had a lot of energy, and Cara found her riding toy. Even though it was cold, the child could ride
     alongside her for one block without it bothering her. It would be good for both of them. She took the child’s hand and together
     they left the apartment.
    Once outside Cara and Laura had not traveled far when the child no longer wanted her riding toy. Cara sighed and picked up
     the toy. As she did, she glanced behind her. She was only about half a block from home, and suddenly she saw Joey and Sarah
     walking up the street. They were acting sneaky, darting in and out of the shadows as if they were trying to catch up to their
     mother and surprise her, so Cara decided to play along.
    Turning back toward the direction she’d been walking in, she and Laura continued down the street. When they reached the intersection,
     Cara turned around and looked for them again. This time she didn’t see them.
    “Hmm,” she said out loud, and