Title: A Merry Little
Christmas
Author: Anita Higman
Pages: 256
Year: 2012
Publisher: Summerside
At first glance, this story seemed like I
was walking into a movie that had already begun. It took a couple of pages before getting
hooked. How many Christmas stories have
you read or listened to? What is your
favorite Christmas movie? I can tell you
that I have read many books, but very few Christmas themed novels. My favorite movie is with Jimmy Stewart, It’s a Wonderful Life. The angel’s name in that work of fiction on
screen is Clarence, which also happened to be my father-in-law’s name.
Do you find yourself reminiscing a little
bit during the holidays? Do you make
time to remember all that the Lord has done for you and how He has blessed
you? I know that some people keep
themselves very busy during this time of year because it can be filled with pain
so what better way to avoid it? For
others, Christmas is another day off work, shopping very early in the mornings
or maybe even decorating.
The author places her characters in a
small town in Oklahoma on a farm that is owned and managed by a 30-something
woman who goes by the name of Frannie.
Frannie loves her farm and has been running it since she lost both
parents in an accident. As the holidays
draw near Frannie believes that it will be another season she will spend all
alone. The year of the story begins in
1961, when Civil Rights are beginning to take center stage all over America.
Charlie is the oldest son of a wealthy
widower who is expected to take over the business his father began years
ago. When he reads an advertisement for
a farm for sale, he believes this time he can do it without being a
failure. No matter what he is doing on
the farm, he is there for one purpose and only time will tell if it comes to
fruition.
Through God-ordained events, the past of
both Frannie’s family and Charlie’s comes to light, uncovering the storm that
changed Frannie since she was a young woman, and the hurt as well as fear God
brings out from deep within her heart to bring healing. Then there is Charlie who had grown up
without a mother and a very domineering father, and he goes through a time when
he will either lean on the Lord or not.
Willie, who is Charlie’s younger brother, has gone through some
transformation as well, being able to see why he struggles with depression. He finds freedom in the way all of us
can. Though Willie will have to deal
with his depression for years to come, with the Lord he has identified the
reason he struggles. Now, he too must
decide to go into the future with the strength of God or be forever in bondage.
Well, that isn’t all that is in the
story. In fact, there is a murder that is
solved from the past. Characters have to
choose to love people for who they are the color of their skin or even their
status in life. The author does a
wonderful job encouraging readers to take all of who they are to the Lord whether
it is their fears, pain, past, hopes, dreams, futures, everything and anything.
We need to surrender completely to the
Lord. There is hope and encouragement
when we walk with others as they learn to wrestle not with flesh and blood, but
the real enemy the devil. Looking at
others and seeing them as God sees them isn’t always easy, but it is always a
choice. Great novel!
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
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