Archive | November 2021

Ships, Sleighs And Christmas Lights by Colleen Brice

Beautiful And Educating

Ships, Sleighs And Christmas Lights by Colleen Brice is a charming book about the origins of St Nicholas. It is perfect for children aged five years and older.

The book opens with Christmas scenes before delving into the real life Nikolaos who was born in the fourth century in Asia Minor which is modern Turkey. We hear about his connections to the life of Jesus before returning to present day Christmas and also learning about life in Lycia.

The whole book is simply written enabling young children to understand. The text is backed up with beautiful illustrations. Each page is a starting point for discussion or you can read the story straight through in one go.

I loved the parallels between Nikolaos and Jesus – when caught in a storm, Nikolaos knows if he prays to Jesus, He will calm the storm inside him.

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A Cosy Christmas At Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown

Warm And Witty

A Cosy Christmas At Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown is a wonderful contemporary festive offering that will warm your heart. It is the fourth book in the Carrington’s series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is a study in love, grief and new beginnings. We witness a family recovering from the loss of a father and a home as they return to the seaside town of the mother’s childhood. Here they get a warm welcome as they meet friends old and new.

Grief brings many feelings including that of guilt for being alive and beginning to live again. A young child has a beautiful attitude to the loss of her father which will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your lips.

There is much love within the community. There is kindness too as neighbours look out for each other.

New ventures are greeted enthusiastically as a need is met within the town.

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Talking To Calippa Cumberland by Chick Yuill

Heart Warming

Talking To Calippa Cumberland by Chick Yuill is the most heart warming and delightful Christian novel that will soothe your soul.

The novel opens on Christmas Eve in 1976. The following chapters are all set on various Christmas Eves as we dip in and out of a life. This is not just a novel for Christmas. This is a novel for life.

I loved the inclusion each year of the Christmas number one. Music evokes memories within the reader.

We hear of characters who are lost. “I’ve always felt a little bit lost” declares lead character Lori Bloom aged 24 years old. I think we can all relate to feeling lost until we are found by Jesus. “We both know that we are lost.” In the Bible we hear the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. The good news is – if we are lost, Jesus is looking for us. It is no coincidence that the lead character’s surname is Bloom. Jesus wants us to bloom under His care.

Over the years we lose those we love – either through life moving on or through death, the ultimate journey. To be human is to face loss.

Everyone needs to have a safe place. For Lori aged nine and three quarters, it is home. “Number 17 Morley Road is a place of safety and shelter, within those walls I’m sure that no bad thing can reach me or harm me.” As Christians, our safe place is not found in bricks and mortar but resting in the arms and heart of Jesus.

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Spirit Of The Season by Fern Michaels

Absolutely Delightful

Spirit Of The Season by Fern Michaels is a most charming contemporary Christmas story that will leave you smiling.

The novel really is Christmas in a book as a small town celebrates the festive season. The community all come together for annual events such as the gingerbread house competition, Christmas lights, decorations and trees. With a warmth to her descriptions, Fern Michaels paints a picture of Christmas with her words.

There is much kindness and generosity of spirit as those with money help to spread the festive cheer to those with nothing.

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