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ICE BREAKER
It wasn't your typical Christmas party. The invitation read, "You are invited to share an evening of elegance..."
I hadn't attended a formal dinner party in years. It had been even longer since I had worn a formal. But here I was surrounded by sixteen other women -- ornately adorned in evening gowns, sparkling jewels and heavy perfumes.
The tables were frosted with china, crystal, silver, gold, linen, Battenberg lace, tapers, candelabras, holly, ivy and poinsettias. Southern Living magazine would have died for the photo op.
And the food -- stuffed mushrooms, crab bisque, artichoke hearts, crepes and the mouth watering list continued. The dessert tray was a dieter's nightmare.
There was not one thing left undone. Even the ice breaker was unique.
Our hostess planned a delightful ice breaker to stimulate conversations and avoid awkward silences. Everyone had to tell their favorite true personal Christmas memory. Then each table would vote on the best story.
After dinner, before the gift exchange, the winners from each table would present their story and the entire group would vote on the best story.
The winner would receive a spectacular prize!
The tables hummed as each treasure chest of Christmas memories was opened. Some stories were of abundance, some of generosity received, and others of public humiliation. But the winning story was a true Christmas miracle.
Laura's family owned a Golden Labrador Retriever named Sandy. It was the only pet her youngest son, Steven, had ever known. The two were inseparable.
That summer, a neighbor decided to build an addition to their home. A construction crew began the work. Every day Steven and Sandy would sit in the yard and watch the laborers transform the house. Several of the crew admired Sandy and would share lunch scraps with her.
Near the completion of the job, Laura realized Sandy was missing. She searched the entire neighborhood. No one had seen the dog. When she asked the construction crew, they became very vague about the dog's disappearance. Laura realized that Sandy had probably been stolen by one of the crewmen and would never be seen again.
That night, Laura had to break the news to Steven. He was devastated.
The inconsolable sobs of a nine year old boy filled the house.
Weeks went by. Christmas season arrived. Laura asked Steven what he wanted for Christmas.
"I want Sandy back," was his reply. And that was his
response all season whenever anyone asked.
Laura was heartbroken. She didn't know what to do. Another dog wouldn't be the right solution. She felt helpless.
Christmas Eve the family attended the traditional midnight Mass. On the way home, Steven asked Laura if she believed God answered prayers and if He still did miracles.
"Of course," she assured him, wondering why he had asked.
"Good!" he smiled and then ran off to bed.
Christmas day arrived. Steven was the first one up. He raced to the front door because he had heard a noise.
There on the doorstep was Sandy -- wearing a new collar, wagging her tail and ecstatic to be home!
Laura called the number on the dog collar and this is what she learned:
Apparently one of the construction crewmen had stolen Sandy. She must have escaped and wound up in an animal shelter 60 miles away. A family had adopted her.
That fall, the family purchased a new home and moved during Christmas week. Their new home was only two blocks over from Laura's house. When Sandy found herself in familiar surroundings, she did what all beloved pets do -- she headed for home!
Sandy's new owners understood and insisted Steven keep his long lost best friend. Laura's family graciously obtained another dog for their new neighbors and soon Sandy and Steven both had new friends.
Needless to say, Laura's story won hands down! I don't even remember any of the other stories.
Her Christmas miracle warmed everyone's heart and reminded each of us that God still answers prayers, and miracles are awaiting us behind every opened door
by Lissa M. Lee
"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other"
Burton Hills
Modern day astronomers say that the famous star of Bethlehem wasn't a
star at all, more than likely, it was either a comet or an astronomical phenomenon caused by the conjunction of several planets at once.
