This story is a part of Martin & Sylvia's Twelve Days of Christmas Story Collection.

In these stories, Martin and Sylvia explore what it means to celebrate the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas," inspired by twelve delightful tales from 18th century Maine. Each story contains a "story-within-the-story" - about the colonial town of Tullyport as the founding families create Christmas traditions and celebrations that are unique, delightful and rich with community connection.

This story is Day Five: The Star in the Apple.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Momma, Martin and Sylvia bring Laura some healing tea and good cheer while Daddy stays home with his own Christmas cold. Though Momma is hesitant to impose, brother and sister are sure that a visit from friends is exactly what Laura needs.

From “Twelve Tales of a Tullyport Christmas”: “The Star in the Apple”

Marie Tully, wife of Francis Tully, has a gift for healing. In coming to America, she has left all of the native plants behind her, not to mention her mother and aunts, all of whom mentored her in the ways of medicinal herbs. And now she is expecting her third child. In a beautiful and surprising moment, she encounters Mikeh, an elder in the Wabenaki tribe, who offers to guide her and give her what she needs for the birth. Mikweh and his Wabenaki family give gifts to the Tullys that will sustain them for years to come.

This story values the gift of elders.