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Clare was really
sad. Her family
didn’t have a
lot of money to
pay for their
home expenses.
Christmas was
coming closer
and she was
afraid she
wouldn’t even
get a small
present.
Clare knew her
dad was not able
to spend money
on presents. She
felt anxious as
her sister Lucie,
who was smaller
than her, didn’t
know how
difficult it was
for them. Lucie
was expecting to
get presents
this Christmas.
Clare was
worried since
she is a very
generous girl.
She was thought
and thought and
thought... and
came up with an
idea. She was 10
years old, but
could find work.
She decided to
offer to work
doing small jobs
at people’s
houses. She
would then be
able to buy a
little present
for Lucie. She
could perhaps
even get one for
mummy and
daddy!
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She then went on
the next day out
to find work.
After school,
she searched for
jobs and was
able to find a
lady who needed
someone to clean
her garden. The
same lady also
needed a nanny
to look after
her child. Clare
then took the
jobs with so
much happiness!
She also got
together all
newspapers,
magazines and
bottles
available at her
spare time to
sell them. She
worked really
hard and managed
to get some
coins. She saved
them all and
thanked
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Jesus
for the
help she
was
getting. |
She saved as
much as
possible. When
she saved enough
to buy the
presents, she
took the box
with the money
and went out to
buy the
presents.
Christmas was
approaching and
she was in a
hurry.
She walked in a
very busy
street...
Suddenly,
someone got
closer to her
and took the box
from under her
arm. It was an
eleven year old
child. He stole
her money and
then went
running really
quickly... Clare
got so sad and
cried a lot. She
then thought to
herself that the
boy must be in
more need then
her:
— This will be
his Christmas
present.
She then got
back to the
place where she
was working and
told the lady
what happened.
The lady got
very angry and
then asked:
— What are you
going to do now,
Clare? You
worked so hard
to get the
presents for
your family!
— I don’t know
yet —, she said
— but God will
help me
somehow.
The lady got
quite emotional
with Clare’s
response and
decided to help
her. It was
Christmas’ Eve.
The little girl
then was about
to get out of
the house and
wish her Merry
Christmas... The
lady came up to
her and gave a
package with
food to the
child.
Clare accepted
happily. She
went home with
hope in her
heart.
Therefore, she
was still unsure
how she would
manage to get
presents for her
family, but she
trusted Jesus.
Everyone around
Clare liked her.
She knew
everyone in the
neighbourhood.
When she passed
by a house
someone called:
— Clare! Clare!
Please come
over. I have got
this dress that
doesn’t fit me
anymore. It
would be perfect
for your mother.
Would you like
to take it?
— Yes, please!
Thank you,
Madam.
Clare thanked
her again and
walked towards
her house. On
the way, a young
woman called
her:
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— Clare, why
don’t you take
this doll to
your sister? I
am quite grown
up now to have
dolls, don’t you
think?
The girl was
quite surprised
by the offer,
and accepted it
with a big
smile. She kept
walking and was
stopped by a
nice gentleman
who gave her a
beautiful shirt
which would suit
her
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dad. |
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She then was
about to arrive
home but was
called by a next
door neighbour
who said:
— Clare, my dog
gave birth to
beautiful
puppies today. I
know you love
animals and I
wanted to give
you one. Would
you like a
puppy?
— Yes, please!
Thank you!!!!
She cried so
much when she
got the tiny
puppy. She then
got home
smiling, holding
all the packages
and the puppy.
— Mom, you are
not going to
believe what
happened to me
today!
She then told
her mom
everything. She
started by
talking about
the theft until
the happiness of
getting all
these things
from different
people.
— I can’t
believe this
happened to me,
mom. Why has
this happened?
Her mom then
hugged her and
said, with
kindness:
— You are a very
good person, my
daughter. This
happened to you
because you are
always thinking
about doing good
things to
people. The more
we give, the
more we receive.
Jesus will never
leave us alone.
Her mom got
quite emotional
with all this,
and said:
— My daughter,
you don’t need
to worry about
presents.
Nothing is
missing her for
us! We are
healthy, happy
and loving to
one another. The
important is
that we are
together!
At night, they
prayed around
the table to
celebrate Jesus
birth. They all
felt peace and
harmony,
thankful to the
Master for the
gifts received.
Aunt Celia
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