Therese says she did not deserve the graces she received Christmas Day, 1886. She was cured that day of her "almost unbearable sensitivities". "By becoming little and weak for love of me [that first Christmas], He made me strong and full of courage." Therese overheard her father tell her sister Celine somewhat cross manner that he hoped this would be the last Christmas that Therese immaturely desired Christmas presents in her shoes. Anticipating Therese’s reaction, Celine told her not to go downstairs to open her gifts, for she would surely cry. Therese went down anyway, and joyfully opened her gifts. "That night...charity took possession of my heart, making me forget myself, and I have been happy ever since."

Therese recounts a Sunday Mass when a picture of the Crucifixion slipped partially from her Missal, showing just Jesus' hand and the blood flowing from it. She was struck by a "strange new thrill" and she thought to stay spiritually at the foot of the Cross catching his sacred blood and sharing it with others. His words "I thirst" echoed in her mind and His thirst to save souls became her thirst as well.