Love Came Down
God Rest Ye Merry by Scott R Rezer is an absolutely charming dual timeline Christmas Christian novel that I loved. I never wanted it to end. It is the sixth book in A Festival Of Carols series but can be read as a stand-alone. I know that whenever I pick up a festive novel by the author, I am going to be delighted and experience a wonderful read.
The action is set in modern-day America and in Dicken’s Victorian London. The link between the two periods is Meg, who is passionate about all things to do with Charles Dickens.
In modern-day America we also meet Pastor Sean who is having a crisis of faith. “I need You [God]… I’m not even sure how or what to pray. I feel so lost.” In his lostness, Sam still recognises his need for a Saviour but says “there was nothing worse than a pastor who had forgotten how to connect with God.” Sean decides on a short sabbatical in order to sort himself out.
We see that guilt weighs heavy. It was a burden that Sean was never meant to carry for he had done nothing wrong but, in his grief, he misremembered events.
In Dickens’ London we see the plight of the poor. They were the subject of many of his stories as he wanted to raise awareness. There were a few philanthropists who believed, “these wee ones shouldn’t suffer on account of their births or low class.”
Children were the innocent victims in their poverty. Both Dickens, and a young woman called Merry, tried to make a difference. “She kept all their names… in a small book.” Merry wanted to remember all those she helped. She did not want a single child to go unseen. “You are not a nobody… You are someone.” This reminds the reader that God knows us all individually and has our names written on the palm of His hands.
Faith can move mountains. We must believe that God is good even when circumstances are bad.
“They wore their faith on their sleeve for all to see.” We are called to not only hear the Word but to be doers of the Word. We should live out our faith every day.
Prayer is important. “It’s not about aligning God’s will to our prayers… He is in control. Our peace… comes through prayer.” We see that “the power of prayer was the natural enemy of anger and doubt.” Prayer and faith can give us a peace despite the world raging around us.
We can connect with God wherever we are. “Her faith was bound to God, not a building.” Wherever we go, God goes with us.
Each one of us receives a unique gift from God. “A gift to help others…they’re lost… I do as God leads me.” Merry has a heart and life in tune with God.
Life can knock the stuffing out of us. In present day America we see the importance of a shelter for the homeless and for veterans. “This place is more than a shelter… It’s a war zone with victories and losses, and an enemy that refuses to quit. Substance abuse, mental health, PTSD, poverty… But God makes the difference. He offers hope and faith.”
In Dickens’ London we see how he came to write A Christmas Carol. Scott R Rezer has perfectly captured the atmosphere and words of the original story within his tale. We recognise where Dickens got his inspiration from for some of his characters.
This is a unique tale as it is a story within a story. A Christmas Carol is so well known that the whole book has a very homely and familiar feel to it.
God Rest Ye Merry is beautifully written. It is a heartfelt tale. I am sorry that it has ended.
I will leave you with a powerful quote: “He needed to let go of the past if he wanted to have a future.”
JULIA WILSON
