Marianne Jordan, looks at the Christmas Story from a different point of view. Although labeled as the first Christmas story, at her website, the author reveals in the spring of 2016 as an Easter Story.
In our times’ celebrating with creché and ornaments, we rightfully concentrate on the major players of the Christmas story, forgetting that there had to be other people in the area and maybe some other people helping a little. Or not.
The author takes a look at the Christmas miracle and the events following up through the Resurrection through the eyes of other people who were in place all through these wonderful times. In a Dickinsonian pattern, using angels instead of ghosts and characters who would have learned the lessons first hand from a deep spiritual perspective, more than an admirable social point of view, this author takes the leading character, irascible inn keeper, Ebenezer who mourns a business partner and friend from the beginning, but does not live up to the meaning of his name. Rather he makes every effort to not be any help or encouragement. He is truly a grasping miser, always watching for the coin.
The angels of time — past, present and future show him who he has been, what he is. The same time travels show him the manger, the growing child Jesus and the ministering Savior up through the gospel stories, the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Their ministry is effective and while there is time, Ebenezer experiences heart and life changes to the betterment of the people around him and to his spiritual joy. He gains respect in his community and connection with his family which his cold, grudging heart had denied him.
Using the foundation of angels — from the past, from the present and from the future, these characters are among the first people to experience contact with the Holy Family and with Jesus through it all. There may be some readers who are not familiar with this Dickensian pattern who won’t anticipate the ending — older readers will probably see it coming. But, be patient with historical fiction and treat yourself to a pleasant, spiritual read. Remember, where fiction ends and reality begins, but don’t deny yourself the wondering about some of the people ‘on the ground’ when the angels came to shepherds and mangers.
A story of Christmas through Easter that will make readers think. A worthy read. From a miser through a manger to a miracle
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