Synopsis from GoodReads:
Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering. Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known.From My Perspective:
I adored this Christmas story and I learned the history behind some holiday traditions and songs as well.
Character development and storyline were excellent elements of this faith building, heart warming story. Young Jimmy Reed had really lost his faith due to the loss of his father, but this Christmas season, he shared some eye opening revelations with a little help from his friends. But would it be enough for Jimmy to open his eyes as well as his heart?
I realize it is very difficult to write a Christian themed book and balancing the Christian aspects without the reader being offended and feeling like those aspects are being crammed down the reader's throats. I feel that Ace Collins achieved that precarious balance with his writing of The Christmas Star. Those Christian aspects were indeed crucial to the story created, as Jimmy had been brought up in a home filled with faith. Sometimes as with Jimmy's story, it's hard to hold onto that faith when something as big as losing your dad to a war occurs. And sometimes it takes a culmination of Christmas miracles to rebuild the hidden faith we still keep in our wounded hearts. This is a very well written book and it touched my heart deeply.
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