Victoria's Miraculous Christmas Scarf and the Birth of Her Brother

At the Winter Quarters pioneer settlement in 1846, young Victoria, who was poor and living in a tent, prayed for a Christmas gift. Father DeSmet, a missionary, suggested she hang her stocking outside on the wagon. On Christmas morning, Victoria found a silken scarf in her stocking, and her mother, who had been sad, presented her with a newborn baby brother, whom Victoria considered her own Christmas gift to share.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Victoria pinned her stocking to the canvas flap of the wagon, kissed her mother and crept away to bed. She was just falling asleep when her mother awakened her, saying, 'Get up Victoria, and dress yourself and run as quickly as you can to Mrs. Greely’s house and tell her to come to me at once. I must see her right away. You are to stay with her children till I send for you. Hurry dear!' ... 'Hurry home Victoria! I think Santa Claus has been to visit you.' ... Victoria skipped over the glittering snowdrift, her heart thumping with expectation. Sure enough, there was her stocking swinging in the brisk wind and there was something in it! ... She removed the paper covering, and revealed a wonderful silken scarf, which shimmered and glowed in the morning sun, and was soft as a cobweb to touch. ... She looked around and saw her mother lying on the bed. She was no longer sad, but was smiling tenderly and said, 'Come here Victoria. See what I have received for a Christmas present.' ... Victoria drew near and looking down saw a very new little baby cuddled against her mother’s breast.