An Amish Christmas Gift: Three Amish Stories

The true meaning of Christmas is all to often forgotten. We forget that the birth of Jesus Christ is the reason we take time to celebrate. We get stressed and overtired and forget to show our love to our family and friends and the season becomes a time of stress and frustration instead a time of rejoicing and celebration.

“An Amish Christmas Gift” is a book that contains three Christmas stores that will bring you into the Christmas Spirit. The the three stories you will find an underlying theme of love, giving unselfishly and strong family ties. Each story will remind you what it means to celebrate Christmas as a family.

It contains three stories:

“Naomi’s Gift” by Amy Clipston in this story Naomi King has come to believe that she is not meant to find love, that is until she meets Susie, the young daughter of Caleb Shumucher. Caleb is a widower who has come back to his hometown to spend Christmas with his family. His daughter and Naomi become fast friends and her world is forever changed.

“An Unexpected Joy” by Ruth Reid tells the story of chatterbox Abigail Kemp. When she overhears that Micah Zook needs a caregiver to help care for his Grandmother she applies for the job. Abigail and Micah don’t get along but his Grandmother has grown fond of Abigail and does everything in her power to get them together. Can Micah get past Abigail’s constant chattering and see her for who she really is?

“A Christmas Visitor” by Kelly Irwin is the story of Fannie Mast whose parents have sent her away to live in Bee Country with her Aunt Abigail and new husband, Mordecai. Fannie’s parent believe that she has become interested Rocky, an Englishman who doesn’t follow their way of life. When Rocky follows to Fannie to Bee Country will he be able to win her heart and prove to everyone that he fully intends to follow their way of life for the sake of his love for Fannie?

I enjoyed all three stories. They make you stop and realize the important things in life. Is it your own needs or the needs of others…or somewhere in between?

Each author reminds us to put our faith and trust in God. All to often we try to do things on our own…we try to fix each problem according to our will, not God’s will. We need to remember that our true strength comes from God Almighty, and by giving him our all he will guide us through each difficulty we encounter.

Each novella is a complete and independent story and in each story the joy and hope of Christmas is evident. The stories will touch your heart, making you laugh and cry. I would highly recommend this book to read as you snuggle up by a cozy fire.

*Disclosure: I received a complimentary eBook of “An Amish Christmas Gift” from NetGalley Books.

An Amish Christmas Gift (various authors) is a lovely book to read. It contains three Christmas stories that will put you in the mood for Christmas (makes me want snow too)! The first story is Naomi’s Gift by Amy Clipston. Caleb Schmucker is a widower with a little girl named Susie. They are visiting his family in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania from Middlefield, Ohio. They stop to pick up a pie (because Susie was told that you should always take a gift to the hostess when visiting). Susie stops to look at quilts on display and meets Naomi King. Susie is instantly taken with Naomi and so is her father. The two continue to meet while Caleb is on vacation. But will Sadie, his interfering sister, get in the way of his happiness?

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid is the second story. Abigail Kemp is twenty-three and not married. She earns money by baking but has found it difficult using the family horse to deliver her items to town (five miles away). Abigail has decided to save up for a horse and is getting close to her goal. When Abigail goes to deliver her latest items, the store is unable to take them. Abigail was seen talking to her cousin, Malinda Lambright. Malinda’s family is close to being shunned and the community is to avoid them. Then Abigail hears Micah Zook needs a caregiver for his grandmother. Abigail believes it is the perfect solution. Micah was looking to hire Abigail’s sister, Elizabeth to watch his grandmother, Edith while he works on his glassblowing orders. Abigail is something of a chatterbox (as well as pushy and determined). Micah ends up hiring her and has no idea what is in store for him! Micah’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down!

Kelly Irvin’s A Christmas Visitor is set in Bee County, Texas. Frannie Mast has been sent to live with Abigail and Mordecai. Her parents wanted her to get away from an Englisch influence. Then one night Richard “Rocky” Sanders shows up. He is the Englisch influence. Abigail and Rocky are in love with each other, but Frannie will not leave the Amish faith. Rocky does love Frannie, but he is also needing a change. He feels that something is missing in his life. Can Rocky find what is missing in Bee County, Texas? Will there be a happy ending for Frannie and Rocky?

I enjoyed all three stories in An Amish Christmas Gift. They can be read as part of their series (like Kelly Irvin’s The Amish of Bee County) or by themselves. All three are very well written with quaint settings and charming characters. The first story, Naomi’s Gift is the longest and takes up most of the book. The other two stories are shorter but just as good. A Christmas Visitor will have you laughing throughout the story. I give An Amish Christmas Gift 5 out of 5 stars. I like reading stories that are heartwarming and contain no foul language or sex. An Amish Christmas Gift contains some good messages and will definitely put you in the mood for Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy of An Amish Christmas Gift from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.