It is Christmas eve and the house is alive with excitement. Maria and Georg have been busy all day decorating the tree in the living room. Sarah laughs as she sees the children walk by the door . They stop and try to listen. Frau Schmidt shoos them away.
Sarah in the privacy of her room celebrates her own holiday. She told Maria about the holiday of Hannakuh. How she celebrates for eight days. Maria has been giving her little things everyday. One day some scented soaps the next day a bottle of perfume. She hears a knock on her door and goes to answer it. She smiles when she sees Maria and Samuel.
" I think he wants to see you. I was getting him dressed and he was looking around the room. He pointed to the door and made a sound which sounded like mama" Maria says as she hands Samuel to her.
Sarah hugs her son to her and he squeals with delight when she tickles him.
" I have something for you" Maria says as she hands Sarah a box wrapped in silver paper.
" Maria another gift. You don't have to give me anything more. You have given me or should I say us so much" she says kissing Samuel on the head.
" You told me on the last day of Hannukah is when you would give a special present. I made this my self I hope you like it" Maria says urging Sarah to open the box.
Sarah hands Samuel to Maria and carefully opens the present. She pulls out the most beautiful dress she has ever seen. The material is blue and white with small embroided flowers at the hem. The neckline is rounded with a small bit of lace surrounding it.
" Oh Maria it is beautiful. Thank you so much. I can never thank you enough for everything .You and Georg have made me feel like part of your family. I only wish" she stops as tears fill her eyes. Maria puts her hand on Sarahs shoulder.
" I know you miss your family. I pray every night you will all be reunited" Maria says as she squeezes her shoulder.
" I pray for this too. Maybe they too escaped and are in Switzerland" Sarah says.
" Mother, Father says he is ready" the children shout from downstairs.
" I better get down there before poor Georg is run over by stampeding children" Maria says as she takes Samuel from Sarah.
" I will bring him downstairs while you put your new dress on" Maria says as she opens the door.
" Yes, I will be right down" Sarah says as she begins to get undressed.
Maria laughs at the scene before her. All seven children stand ready to run once the door to the living room is opened.
" Children you need to stand back I don't think your father wants to be run over".
Maria walks to the door and calls to Georg
"Are you ready? She asks waiting for him to answer. She waits and is about to ask again when she hears him ask her to open the door. The children slowly watch as Maria opens the doors. The childrens oohs and ahhs are abundant. Maria smiles as she watches them slowly enter the room. The tree is twelve feet tall. Candles on every tree illuminate the darkened room. The ornaments are bright and colorful. Each child looks to see their special ornament hung on the tree. Each one was made by their mother Agathe for their first Christmas. They also see the ones that they made with Maria. They look under the tree to see what the Christ child has brought them.
Sarah enters the living room and is awestruck at the tree. Even though she does not celebrate Christmas she still sees the sheer beauty of the tree. The children pick out their presents and sit down. Sarah sits on the couch with Samuel. Gretl brings over three presents for Samuel and Maria walks over with two more for Sarah. Sarah smiles and says thank you. They laugh as Samuel tears at the paper. Inside is a brown teddy bear. Maria walks over and takes Samuel so Srah can open her present. She unwraps it and it is ornament that the children have made. Sarah smiles and thanks the children. Everyone opens their gifts.
Maria opens hers last. She gets tears in her eyes when she opens her first present. Inside is a hand knitted baby sweater and hat. The other presents are all hand made baby gifts. The last one is a beautiful shawl.
" We have one more" Georg says.
Friedrich goes to the corner of the room and pulls out a hand made cradle. Maria gasps and starts to cry. She hugs Friedrich and then the rest of the children. It is close to midnight when they all leave for church. Sarah offers to stay with Samuel as Georg has given Frau Schmidt and Franz the next two days off. It also gives her a reason to not go to church as she is Jewish and doesn't go to church. They leave but before Maria leaves she hugs Sarah and wishes her a Happy Hannakuh. Sarah smiles and wishes them Merry Christmas.