Submitted Photo From left, Scot Pedersen, Kim Bartsch, Shirly Rynestad, Meghan Bierman, Colton Bourquin and Tasha Giroux bake cookies in preparation for the Miracle of Christmas.

A family Christmas event titled Miracle of Christmas is coming to Minot Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 4-7 p.m. at The Sleep Inn.

The purpose is to provide families with limited resources a Christmas buffet meal of ham and mashed potatoes, no-cost Christmas shopping and free gift wrapping. Santa will be present to see the children, and there will be an impromptu children’s Christmas pageant for any children in attendance who would like to participate.

Bonnie Oaks, coordinator of Miracle of Christmas, says this is the first year it will be taking place on this level. Last year the event offered soups and sandwiches at Vincent United Methodist Church, with a number of people in attendance.

“We did it on a smaller scale last year, and the response was overwhelming. We quickly ran out of space. We needed a larger space, and the Sleep Inn graciously offered us their rooms,” Oaks said. “I had a couple people come up to me in 2022 and say they really missed having a Christmas meal and wondered why we don’t do that anymore. I got together with my team and thought about what we could do to take it up a notch.”

Oaks said it’s miraculous the way the community has stepped up to support this event. She hopes it can bring the spirit of Christmas to families in need and that the community can truly understand the meaning of Christmas.

Mark Ehrmantraut, pastor at Vincent United Methodist Church, said he continues to be amazed by the way people love God and their neighbor and hopes this event will make a difference in the community.

“Last year, people in Minot wrapped around and embraced this event. It pulled people together across the church. I’m honored to be a part of it,” he said.