Being generally a lover of read aloud Christmas stories, this one was a disappointment. I feel a little bad giving it 2 stars when it has been rated overwhelmingly high and since I guess it's a harmless tale and an uplifting read for some. I think the idea could have been presented much more believably, but instead was contrived. I guess the idea behind the miracle since there was no explanation was that Jesus filled the shoes to prepare this family for missionaries. As much as I love my religion, the story doesn't impress me. I appreciate true stories and believable fiction, but I think this type of fiction manipulates people's feelings.