The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne
Huist Smith is the personal memoir of the author. She tells the story
of her and her three children and the Christmas they experienced after
their husband and father passed away unexpectedly. The were barely
plodding along, surviving only when one evening they received an
anonymous gift on their front porch. That gift led to 12 days of gifts,
to go along with the famous song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
At
first irritated, offended, and even angry by the gifts, they soon begin
to change the family. They begin to be open to the idea of celebrating
Christmas. They realize that they can indeed be happy again, and that
they are grateful to be alive, to have each other. The gifts are very
simple, yet deeply profound in their intention. The author shares, "The
power of the gifts lies in the understanding that joy and sorrow can
coexist comfortably and without guilt."
The 12 gifts are a
friend's way of helping them through their pain, of reminding them that
there are people in the world who are kind and caring, that others are
thinking of them and praying for them. The 13th gift, however, is not
tangible. It's not something that could be wrapped and left on the
front porch. It is something that is magical and mysterious. It's
something that you will need to read the book yourself to understand.
I
think you'll find this book a pleasurable Christmas read, as I did.
It's inspiring and heartwarming, yet it's also honest and genuine. You
may even be inspired to pass on the 13th gift yourself. I received a
copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest
review.
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