By Penelope Carlevato
The Thanksgiving weekend had barely wrapped up when the Christmas season came rushing in with its familiar flurry of plans, traditions, and to-do lists.
My friends and I were looking forward to one of our favorite events: the annual Holiday Homes Tour and Tea. This event was our Christmas delight—a charming afternoon tea served from gleaming silver teapots inside a breathtaking 32-room Italian villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
After tea, guests toured exquisitely decorated homes in the upscale neighborhood. It was magical and a fun way to celebrate our friendship.
The Garage Sale That Changed Everything
Just days before the event, our plans took a sudden turn when one of our most organized friends sent out an S.O.S., an urgent plea for help. In a burst of early holiday energy, she had carried out a full-on “winter cleaning” and gathered up many “unused” items for a very successful garage sale, or so she thought.
Only after everything was sold did she realize she had parted with something precious—a wooden rocking horse that had been in her family for generations. Her five-year-old daughter was heartbroken. Although the horse had stood hardly used in a quiet corner of a bedroom, the child had not forgotten it.
Our friend quickly contacted the neighbor who had purchased the horse, but it was too late. The rocking horse had been whisked away as an early Christmas present for the neighbor’s grandson—a little boy being raised by a single mom with limited means. He had instantly fallen in love with it; and the grandparents, knowing the joy it brought him, could not bring themselves to take it away.
Feeling embarrassed, regretful and desperate to fix her mistake, our friend called and asked if we would pray, and more importantly, if we might be willing to give up our cherished Holiday Home Tour and Tea to go with her on Saturday to comb garage sales and thrift stores in search of a similar horse.
A Day of Empty Hands and Full Hearts
Before sunrise on Saturday morning, we climbed into her car, armed with coffee and determination.
Before we left, we prayed Luke 11:9. Then off we went. We searched garage sales, scanned online listings, and even visited the local Toys-R-Us, only to discover that rocking horses had long since been replaced with molded plastic.
For the entire day, we had looked, prayed and hoped. But, by late afternoon we were empty-handed.
Yet, strangely we were peaceful about this situation. Christmas is, after all, God’s season of miracles.
We had done our part, now we had to trust Him to do what only He could do.
The Miracle on the Front Porch
A phone call arrived just after dawn. Our friend stepped outside to find the original rocking horse sitting on her front porch—polished wood gleaming, reins tied with a big red ribbon, and a simple note tucked beneath the bow: “Merry Christmas.”
Later that morning, the story unfolded. The neighbors— the ones who had bought the horse—had sat down with their grandson and explained what had happened. They prayed as a family. Together, they decided that the little girl who had lost her rocking horse needed it back more than they did.
Their grandson, a child being raised with little, reached a tender maturity beyond his years. He agreed to give the rocking horse back. That little boy gave up something precious so another child’s sorrow could turn to joy.
It reminded me of the gift Jesus gave us all—not from scarcity, but from abundance; not reluctantly, but freely.
When God Restores What Was Lost
This was Christmas—not the glittering trees or perfect plans, but Christmas found in a little boy who understood generosity, in grandparents who chose compassion, and in God’s orchestration of hearts.
That weekend, we discovered a truth more beautiful than any home tour. Yet God restored that joy too—the organizers exchanged our tickets for the next afternoon. A reminder that when we place His kingdom first, He takes care of every detail.
A simple wooden rocking horse became a symbol of the quiet miraculous ways God brings lost things home.
One of the delightful treats we enjoyed at the Holiday Home Tour and Tea was these delicious Mini Mince Pies. They are something my English mum made every Christmas. If you don’t want to make them, World Market does sell them during the Christmas season, but they are much better homemade.
Mini Mince Tarts
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2–3 Tbsp iced water
- 1 jar mincemeat filling
- Mini muffin tins
Instructions:
• Grease the muffin tins well. Preheat the oven to 400º F.
• Combine the flour, salt, and sugar with a fork.
• Add the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add the water slowly until the dough just holds together when pinched. If necessary, add more water.
• Put the dough onto a floured surface and pat into a ball. Divide the ball in half and form two balls. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper until about ⅛ inch thick.
• Cut into rounds that are slightly larger than the muffin tins.
• Place the rounds into the muffin tins and form to fit the pan.
• Place one teaspoon or more of filling into each doughfilled tin, about 2/3 full.
• Top with a pastry star that you have cut from the dough. Pinch the edges of the star gently into the top of the dough in the muffin tins.
• Brush the tops with egg wash (1 beaten egg with a couple teaspoons of water) and sprinkle the surface with sugar.
• Bake at 400º F for 13 to 15 minutes until lightly browned.
• Cool on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
• Makes 24 2-inch tarts. They freeze well.
Find more of Penelope’s recipes at leadinghearts.com.
