Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh
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For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it’s looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can’t bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure they were strange-looking–some could be called downright ugly–but they were tradition. A tradition she’s heartbroken to miss this year.
With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan knows something must be done. And his only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments.
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this nostalgic Christmas story!
Empty nesters Stan and Judith Winters are well-crafted characters and their thoughts and emotions feel very true-to-life as they spend their first Thanksgiving without their children and grandchildren. When it looks like Christmas will find their nest empty as well, Judith becomes despondent over the traditions she and her family will miss.
The holidays are a difficult time for many people and this story is filled with realistic moments as Judith experiences disappointment and discouragement. However, it is also a tale filled with tender, heartwarming moments that made me smile, and I loved the emotional conclusion. Keeping Christmas is a meaningful story that tugged at my heartstrings!
I received a complimentary copy of this story in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel.
Learn more about Dan and his books at www.danwalshbooks.com.
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