When A Bell Rings
Upon The Midnight Clear by Scott R Rezer is a beautiful Christian Christmas dual timeline novel that I absolutely loved. It is the fourth book in A Festival Of Carols series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel is set in 1969 and 2018 in Philadelphia. The two time periods are linked by the two main characters who are older versions of themselves in 2018.
There are the themes of veterans and homelessness. In 1969 America was involved in the Vietnam war. No one wanted it but still young men were drafted. “A victim of a war nobody wanted.”
In 2018 there are veterans from the war in Afghanistan. War leaves no one unchanged. “They might have come home from the war, but they never left it.” Many left their minds on the battlefields and returned suffering from PTSD and survivor’s guilt.
Re-integration into society was impossible and many brave men and women ended up on the streets, hiding away, invisible to many. They banded together. “The vets who understood the sacrifices of war.”
War changed the vets and they did not feel worthy to return home. “Most people on the street long to return home. They’re often not sure how to do it.” They found it safer to hide away.
In order to reach the homeless vets, a previously homeless vet joins them where they are. “I can’t think of a better way of helping these vets than just getting down to the gutter with them.” Their wartime experiences band the vets together.
There is a very poignant phrase from the lead character in 2018 talking about war. “I can’t think of a better way to help them than to love the loveless … Just a little kindness… I’ve seen what hatred can do.” He meets and ministers to the homeless, offering what little he has to those who have even less. He bridges the gap for the homeless vets and helps them to find a place in a shelter.
We see the love of God for His children. “He… found God. He discovered… that God had been waiting on him for seven years.” God waits with longing for the prodigal to return home. “He dived into the church and let it heal his wounds.” Churches are not a place where everyone is perfect. They are a place where the church (that is the people) help each other through life.
We hear that a character is “a tender-hearted person who would look for a lost soul simply because he needed to be found.” This reminds us of Jesus who leaves the ninety-nine in order to search for the one and bring them home.
As we go through life, we all make choices. Our choices have consequences and we must own them.
Feelings of guilt weigh heavy, especially when we carry burdens we were never meant to. We need to lay down our guilt – let go and let God.
Forgiveness is vital. If we do not forgive, we will become bitter and ruin our own lives. Forgive and banish the darkness and let the light in.
All the characters were delightfully drawn and welcoming. They were believable and easy to empathise with.
I have adored all the books in A Festival Of Carols series. I think that Upon The Midnight Clear is my very favourite. I do hope there will be many more in this marvellous series.
I want to leave you with a powerful quote:
“Peace is not the absence of war; peace is the goodwill our Lord extends toward His children if they will only turn toward Him.”
JULIA WILSON
