"Christmas Eve at the homeless shelter looks the same as any other night: Kids running around. Volunteers serving coffee and Kool-Aid. People looking for a warm place to spend the night. Then something magical happens"--

"Of what use is one ugly little tree?" Atop a windswept hill, a crooked little tree stands alone . . . until one Christmas Eve, when an old woman labors up the hill with a box of ornaments, and tells the tree that he is special. He is to be the official Christmas tree for all of the homeless people in the city below! Year after year, colored balls and garland adorn the tree at Christmastime, but one year, the woman does not come. Will there be a Christmas for homeless? This story is based on actual events about a funny-looking mimosa tree that sits above a busy freeway in Fort Worth, Texas. A formerly homeless woman decorated the tree, year after year, so that the homeless would have a Christmas tree. When she died, neighbors took over the custom and now decorate it for Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. It can be seen on the north side of Interstate 30 near the Oakland exit.

The story of John Day Lucks has been a part of my life for many, many years. The character of John was born one magical Christmas season in a bedtime story I created for my two beautiful daughters. As usual, while tucking my girls into bed at night, they would ask to hear a story. Call it Christmas Magic. Call it love. Call it a combination of both. Suddenly in my head blossomed the idea for a story of a young boy with a heart of gold, who lived a difficult life through no fault of his own, and who deserved something better. With it being the holiday season, what better backdrop for the tale than Christmas Eve. A Homeless Christmas is a story of hope and love, abandonment and salvation. And a true Christmas Miracle.

A homeless boy's rescue of a scrawny Christmas tree sparks a glimmer of hope that has far-reaching effects.

An inspiring story of friendship and survival between two unlikely people--a homeless, disabled vet and a mother with two young children.

A homeless family's luck changes after they help an old woman who has even less than they do at Christmas.

A young African American boy reflects on the spirit of Christmas and thinks of ways he can behave in more caring ways and share what he has with others.