Book Review: The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

4 out of 5 stars

"Whatever the reason, I find that with each passing Christmas the story of the Christmas Box is told less and needed more.  So I record it now for all future generations to accept or dismiss as seems them good.  As for me, I believe.  

And it is, after all, my story."

I usually read at least one Christmas book before the holidays. This year was the first year in a very long time that I had no desire to read, let alone it be a holiday book. 

I found 'The Christmas Box' by Richard Paul Evans at my local library's book sale three weeks before Christmas.  It is a small and short read with just 125 pages with a simple cover.  So why didn't I pick it up and read it? 

No Christmas spirit.  

This was the third most difficult Christmas of my life; the first being 2001 when I had miscarried a baby exactly one week before Christmas.  ( I still have a difficult time singing 'Away In A Manger' without crying.)  The second being the year my husband and I had just gone through some major issues in our marriage.  And this year, well, I really just don't want to talk about any of it. 

So last night, December 28, 2017, I decided at 11:30pm that I was going to read this book.  The writing flowed, the story was interesting and kept you focused on what would happen next.  I read the back cover at the book sale, but really had no idea what the story was about when I picked the book up last night to read it.  

It is a Christian book with a CHRISTmas message, but it definitely is not one of those religious-in-your-face type books.  

Anyone would enjoy this book's message. 

Since it is such a short read and I don't want to give away too much of the story and its plot, I will just say a few words about some take-aways and reminders I had from this simply beautifully written short story. 

Make time for people.  Especially children.

Keep your word.  Don't disappoint them.....they don't forget

and have difficutly forgiving sometimes.

The love of a parent is important.  

The time you put in is NEVER time wasted.  

And last, but certainly not least, 

broken hearts are very difficult to heal.

There is a pre-quel called 'The Timepiece'
which I will probably read next Christmas
(or maybe sooner!)

~Elle~

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Posted at 12:46 PM  |  by Elle

Busy With Party Planning

Hi all!  It is a busy time of year around our house.  My husband and I just had our 14th wedding anniversary.  He bought me a dozen log-stemmed light pink roses.  They were beautiful, but now they are all droopy and headed for the trash.  We haven't had the time to go out to dinner, but hopefully soon.

I am in the midst of helping plan Kaye's Kindergarten Halloween party and her 6th birthday party.  I borrowed this book from the public library "A Halloween Cookbook' by Sarah L. Schuette , because it had an interesting recipe for 'Jack-o'-Lantern Juice  (found at the link above.)  I'm not sure how much kids would/would not like it, but I'd like to try it!  When I got to the back of the book their was this link to a site called FactHound.  ("Facthound offers a safe, fun way to find internet sites related to this book.  All of the sites on FactHound have been researched by our staff.)  Then it tells you to visit the site and type in this code: 9781429676199.  Once you type in the code you get about 3 matching websites and they recommend 4 other books.  Very cool for the kids in your life, so I thought I'd share this with you.

As for the parties, I am looking for non-messy crafts and any type of activity that will get out the kids energy.  This evening I am trying to gather my thoughts and then hopefully sometime this week I will get out to buy favors, order the cake for the party and hopefully find some gifts for my little one.  I'm not quite sure what I'm handing out for trick-or-treat yet, but I really don't want to by candy.  Maybe individually wrapped goldfish crackers, pretzels or popcorn.  So many things running through my mind right now and I'm just hoping it all comes together smoothly.

This evening Em is sleeping over her best friend's house and then tomorrow her friend & her Mom and Em and I are going to do some shopping at an outdoor mall.  The weather has finally turned fall-like (high today  was 54° F and tomorrow is supposed to be around 60° F.)  Anyhow, time to get moving on things.  Hope once all this comes together I will have more time to blog!

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Posted at 8:53 PM  |  by Lisa E.