A Timeless Appeal
One Silent Night by Scott R Rezer is the most charming dual timeline Christian Christmas novel that I absolutely loved. It is the first book in A Festival Of Carols and I cannot wait to read the subsequent books.
One Silent Night is beautifully written. There is a serenity to it and an air of wistfulness. The story has a timeless appeal. This is a book that could be read as part of a Christmas tradition.
The novel is set in the Ardennes, Belgium in 1944 and also in small town America in 2012. Both stories are set just before Christmas and are similar but different as we follow two serving soldiers – one in World War II and the other invalided out after an IED in Afghanistan.
Obviously in 1944 there was much loss of life as a bitter battle raged as the American soldiers fought the Nazis. In 2012 in his hometown, the veteran is returning home following the death of his grandparents three years earlier. The memories are all around. His heart has been locked away. “By shutting away Christmas, I was shutting away… my memories.” Memories should keep us warm, not cause us pain.
We see that it is easy to retreat from life to protect our hearts but “we can’t stop living because of what might happen.” We need to take a chance and begin to live again.
Also, in 2012 we meet a young widow whose firefighter husband died in the Towers on 9/11. She feels guilty for beginning to smile again but life is for living.
We must not inhabit the past. We can visit it and learn from it but we need to inhabit the present and look to the future.
Hope is a major theme. “There is always hope… even when all seems dark and lost.” Living through World War II meant people had to hope that there would be a better tomorrow. “I will not give up on hope.” Without hope the people perish.
As we drop in on a Christmas Eve in 2012, we hear the Christmas Story. Jesus is the hope of the world. He is God’s gift to us. “The birth of Jesus was a reminder of the promises of God.” God promises to never leave us. Even when life seems dark, God is there to hold us up. “The promise of a Savior… It is a gift. But like any gift, it has to be received.” Will you open His gift today?
All the characters were wonderfully drawn. There was a serene beauty to them all. There were easy to picture and to identify with.
The story was beautifully written. As we approached the final pages, the most unexpected and beautiful scene occurred. I will say no more but let you read the book.
One Silent Night was so very beautiful. I think it would make a wonderful Christmas movie. This has the power to be a timeless classic, to be enjoyed by every generation.
JULIA WILSON
