A family of four women lived all together in a tiny apartment in Lagos. Their mother who was a widow of fifteen years and a regular primary school teacher was the head of the family. The eldest daughter just recently finished from the university and was still trying to find her footing in life, and her two youngest siblings were still in secondary school. Their lives were simple and they were a close knitted family. December had started and it was the Christmas season but they had little or no food at home as they wondered how in the world they would manage to celebrate joyously, but their mother had so much faith that it would be their best Christmas yet. She was such a strong woman, fearless, attentive, caring and loving towards her daughters. As much as she earned so little she tried her very best to provide for them. Bringing them up with good morals and instilling Christian faith in each of them.

Before the death of their father, Christmas Day was always filled with lots of food, joy and laughter and those memories were instilled deeply in their heart even after his demise.

This time it was different, the house was empty and there wasn’t money anywhere but they all went on with faith hoping for a Christmas miracle.

A week to Christmas, their mother came home from work dropping her bag down as she sat on the couch calling her daughters to speak to them.

“Mummy welcome back.” The eldest daughter greeted as she handed her a cup of water.

“Imoh, I just finished speaking with the tailor. You and your sisters should go and pick out a material so that she can start sewing your Christmas clothes” she said going straight to the point.

Of course she was confused, there currently wasn’t any money in the house so how exactly did her mum want to pay for it.

She thought feeling very confused and later on voicing out her thoughts. “What clothes? Mummy how do you want to pay her? We’re currently broke” she replied negatively giving her mother confused expressions.

Immediately her mum waved it off giving her a scolding look “I’ve spoken to the woman, I’ll pay her once money gets into my hand. Just be positive and take your sisters for your dress measurements”

Deciding to stop arguing with her mum blindly she hesitantly obeyed as she took her sisters and they walked to the shop together. On getting there, she noticed the woman’s face in a deep frown as she noticed their presence and she deeply wondered what the problem was. The tailor hurriedly took their measurements “Tell your mum that her money is twenty thousand naira” she said harshly as they left her shop to go back home.

Twenty thousand was a lot of money, how exactly was her mum going to raise that much just to pay for their Christmas clothes. As much as it seemed nice, imoh deeply worried that it was too much and they were slowly going into debt just so they can have the perfect Christmas but she let the thought stay in the deepest parts of her mind wanting to stay hopeful.

It didn’t stop there, their mum also took them to get new shoes and make their hairdo in preparation for Christmas but all of it was in debt and this started bothering imoh deeply. She begged her mother not to worry, it didn’t matter how they looked on Christmas or what they wore or ate as long as they were all together alive and happy.

Christmas wasn’t about the flashy presents or the delicious food, it was a celebration of happiness and joy and togetherness. She told this to her mother countless times, but her mum only smiled positively and told her to be calm.

“Everything will be fine my daughter, God doesn’t leave his children to suffer” her mum would say to her.

But how could she be calm when they were currently in a lot of debt.

Finally, it was Christmas and everyone of them looked beautiful in their clothes and shoes. The house decorated beautifully emanating the joy of the season. They all sat still confused on what to do since there was currently nothing to eat, even the neighbors didn’t seem to join in on the festivities.

Almost immediately, the youngest daughter smiled as she got up and hugged her sisters.

“Merry christmas mummy, you look beautiful today” she said with a smile.

“Merry Christmas dear, thank you”

“let’s sing carols..today’s the day Jesus was born. It’s a special day and we’re together.” The younger daughter said in excitement and started singing Christmas carols.

Soon enough, the house was filled with songs and laughs as they were Merry and played with each other forgetting about their problems and how there wasn’t any food to eat as they enjoyed each other’s company when suddenly there was a harsh knock on the door stopping their merriment. The eldest went to see who it was that wouldn’t stop knocking only to be met with a surprise.

Standing right outside their door was a neighbor that never interacted with their family before and right in his hands was a white envelope with a small bag of rice by his side.

“Merry Christmas sir” she greeted happily as she wondered what he was doing right in front of their house.

”Merry Christmas dear, please give this to your mother and take this small token from me.” He said nicely handing the items over to her as she held unto them feeling confused.

“Okay sir, thank you. Won’t you come in to celebrate with us?” She asked politely.

“No it’s okay, I have somewhere to be. Just wanted to drop this before I left” he said quickly before leaving in a rush.

She closed the door as she took the items into the living room where her mum and sisters sat still happily singing Christmas carols.

“Mummy, it was mr Dayo at the door. He said to give this to you”

Her mum immediately collected the small bag of rice from her and the white envelope in surprise opening it up to see a large bundle of one thousand naira bills. She immediately screamed in happiness and danced around the living room praising God as her daughters smiled at her reactions. Immediately she sat down and counted the money and she couldn’t believe her eyes. Mr Dayo blessed her with a hundred and fifty thousand naira.

Imoh couldn’t believe what she was seeing, it was enough to pay off their debts and even prepare a nice meal for them to eat that day. Almost immediately their mum’s phone beeped showing she just got an alert of two hundred thousand naira.

Their eyes widened in shock as they showed it to their mother who just wouldn’t stop dancing in happiness.

“Imoh, didn’t i tell you not to worry? God never lets his children suffer.” Her mum said with happiness as she hugged her daughters to her sides.

It was indeed a Christmas Miracle that would never be forgotten.