White Christmas by Cara Putman

Warmth On A Winters Day

White Christmas by Cara Putman is part of the three novellas that make up Where Treetops Glisten. It is a most charming historical Christian Christmas story that will warm your heart on the coldest of days.

The story is set in the autumn of 1942 in America where there have already been heartbreak and losses in World War II.

A character decides the only way to protect her heart is to wall it up but this does not protect. It risks loneliness and bitterness if all we focus on is our losses. God asks us to be a beacon and not a prison. He wants us to shine His light in a dark world at war. “God wanted her to be the light pointing to Him.”

As a heart comes back to life, we witness the huge capacity for kindness and love. Tentative baby steps at first, become bigger.

We all have our fears. We can choose to cower or we can face them. God asks us to face our fears – but never alone, for He has promised to walk beside us.

Family is important. We see a life weighed down financially as a character tries to support his mother and sisters. When burdens are shared, they become lighter.

A character has a limp from polio but is still useful in life. This reminds the reader that we are all flawed human beings with our various ‘limps’ but we can still be used by God to make a difference in the world.

I loved the small town community feel. In my mind I pictured the town like Bedford Falls in It’s A Wonderful Life.

I loved the mention of the movie Holiday Inn. It is one of my favourite films and I love Bing Crosby.

White Christmas was a positively delightful warm read that made me feel happy and loved.

JULIA WILSON