and in time, all of our prayers were answered, and my mom pulled through. to this day, that remains our miracle. and each christmas we put up that artificial tree because to us, it's a symbol of that enduring hope, of the love and the faith of the guardian angels around us, of the love and faith that family and chosen family extend toward one another, especially during this season, and also of answered prayers for her. although finding just the right balance between his catholic and jewish heritage was a struggle during childhood, december's. but the rivera family eventually decided on a christmas cut compromise chrismukkah.