The Christmas Light: A Novel

By Donna VanLiere

In the small town of Grandon, five very different people discover the true meaning of Christmas. Jennifer and Ryan are both single parents, struggling with their own losses and heartache as they attempt to move forward in the present while still holding onto the memories, joy, and heartache of the past. Sixteen-year-old Kaylee is faced with a life-changing situation that has affected her whole family. Stephen and Lily are happily married and ready to start a family. All of them are facing their own struggles, and all are finding their way through the dark. When they are brought together for a rather unconventional church Nativity, they will learn that with strength, courage, and love, there is always hope. The New York Times bestselling author of the beloved The Christmas Hope series returns with this new heartwarming, inspirational story about the power of love and faith to reveal the possibilities that lay right in front of you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Oct 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781250010667

Donna VanLiere

Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her much-loved Christmas Hope series includes The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing (both of which were adapted into movies for CBS Television), The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Journey, and The Christmas Hope, which was adapted into a film by Lifetime. She is also the author of The Angels of Morgan Hill and Finding Grace. VanLiere is the recipient of a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, an Audie Award for best inspirational fiction, and a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year. She is a gifted speaker who makes regular appearances at conferences. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and their children.

Book preview

ONE

Maybe you have to know darkness before you can appreciate the light.

—MADELEINE L’ENGLE

Jennifer De Luca sits at the kitchen table and reaches for the phone, dialing the number in front of her. Although six-year-old Avery is playing in her room, the house is quiet. It is always still but sometimes, thankfully, the silence is louder than the noise in Jen’s head. She listens to the phone ring in her ear. Over three years later, she still has more questions than answers but Dr. Becke says that all profound answers start with deep questions. So much of life is made up of questions that we think matter a great deal today but are forgotten tomorrow, Dr. Becke said a few weeks ago. But it’s the life and death questions, the meaning, purpose, and value questions that matter. She looked at Jen in her office that day and smiled in a sad way that told Jen that some questions might never be answered.

The phone clicks on the other end and Jennifer follows the prompts for the main receptionist. Dr. Schwartz’s office, please, she says. She is transferred and is greeted by a recorded message. She’ll have to leave a voice mail. Hi, this is Jennifer De Luca, calling about my husband, Michael. When she hears Avery padding down the hall toward the kitchen, she cuts the message short. Avery stands in the kitchen doorway and pushes a mass of curls out of her face. Jennifer smiles, thinking how she and Michael laughed on seeing Avery’s red, curly hair the day she was born.

Where did that come from? Michael asked, laughing. They reasoned it had to be one of their great-grandparents, whom neither had met. You don’t see many redheads, he said, reaching for his newborn. She’s a standout already.

Who were you talking to? Avery asks.

No one. I was leaving a message for a woman.

Avery narrows her eyes and comes closer to her mom. What woman?

Jen sighs. At the hospital.

About Dad?

Yes. She gets up and opens a cupboard, changing the subject. Would you like a snack before we leave?

Avery shakes her head. I’m not hungry. She’s holding the angel doll she received from a stranger three and a half years ago. It’s dressed in a shimmering pink dress with iridescent wings and long, flowing brown hair. Avery saw glimpses of the stranger but can’t remember his face. She holds the doll tighter to her chest. She’s been holding tightly to it since the stranger gave it to her, sleeping with it and bringing it in the car for the ride to and from school.

She walks to her mom and holds out her hand, opening it. Inside is Jennifer’s wedding ring. You forgot to put this on.

Jen’s gray-blue eyes are rimmed in sadness. I didn’t forget, babe.

The small hand is held open in front of Jennifer. Yes you did. You forgot it in your jewelry box. Her eyes are a mixture of confusion and pain and Jennifer feels her heart slip a little. She reaches for the ring and puts it on. If you keep it on, you won’t forget it.

Jen nods and kisses her daughter’s forehead. All right, let’s go. Avery reaches for her coat and her favorite rainbow-colored scarf before getting into the car. The sky is gray and the tree branches reach into the sky like stripped nerves. A hunger for color seizes Jen. In her opinion winter hung on too long, often growing tiresome and sullen with its chilling winds and early nights. She looks in the rearview mirror and watches Avery. She’s looking at the Christmas decorations lining the street and in the storefront windows but isn’t seeing them. It’s as if I’m driving down a dark road, Jennifer thinks. She remembers that as a child, this time between the holidays was a sweet and anticipated gift, where time almost seemed suspended, sparkling and magical. She wonders what Avery will remember.

Avery wasn’t always this way. There was a great light about her during her first three years but then life changed. Darkness covers skies and cities and, when we least expect it, on the most ordinary day, it can cover our lives. That’s what Jennifer has learned.

If we are people who pray, Jennifer’s mother, Louise, said. Then it’s darkness that we often pray about.

She said that last week as she helped Jen clean her home. Louise has only a high school diploma and has worked for the last twenty-five years as an administrative assistant but is the wisest woman Jennifer knows. Jen hasn’t always seen her mother this way but when she had Avery, her mother somehow became profoundly wise. Louise is quiet and never interfered in Jen and Michael’s marriage, but she has always known when her daughter is weary or stressed or swallowed up in shadows.

And what if we are people who can’t pray? Jennifer asked.

Louise thought for a moment. Then it must be that darkness has stopped us. Jen fell into the sofa as a tear slipped onto her lap. Her mother sat next to her and pulled her close. Things will get brighter, my love.

When, Mom? Jen wiped the wetness away. When will it ever get brighter?

Her mom shook her head. I don’t know. I don’t know how many sunrises it will take but one day the sun will rise and you’ll see that light still makes its way through. Even in the dark places.

Jennifer pulls into a parking spot at the front of the building and looks over her shoulder at Avery. All set? The little girl nods and unlatches her seat belt, sliding over and opening the door, leaving the angel on the seat. She holds Jennifer’s hand and walks into Dr. Sondra Becke’s office.

Hi, Avery! Rose says, looking up over the receptionist desk. Would you like some juice or water while you wait?

Avery sits on the floor and reaches for the toys that Dr. Becke keeps for her youngest patients. No, thanks. I’m fine.

Rose smiles and looks at Jennifer. It should only be a few minutes. She’s finishing up with someone.

Jen sits on a chair by the window and reaches for a magazine she’s already read. When she and Michael got married, Jennifer never imagined sitting in an office like Dr. Becke’s but here she is. She’s been bringing Avery here since just before last Christmas, when her troubles began. She glances up as a woman in her forties slips a credit card to Rose. In the beginning, Jennifer often wondered what was wrong with the person sitting across from her in the waiting room or exiting as she and Avery entered. Were they on the verge of divorce or fighting depression? She no longer wonders because she now knows what each of them wants. They want to know, just like her mom said, that light does make its way through the dark places.

Hi, Avery! Jennifer looks up to see Dr. Becke, crouching down next to Avery. Although she looks as if she’s in her fifties, Dr. Becke has the vitality of someone half her age. She keeps her bobbed hair colored a soft shade of brown with blond highlights and often wears a simple, white button-down shirt with trousers. How many could you stack today? she asks, looking at the tower of colorful blocks that Avery has erected.

Only seventeen and then it smashed.

Dr. Becke stands with her hands on her hips. That’s great!

Not really, Avery says, throwing the blocks back into their plastic tub. My record is twenty-four.

Dr. Becke holds out her hand for Avery. Next time, she says, meaning it. Jennifer stands and follows them into Dr. Becke’s office. It’s warm in green and brown tones with soft, overstuffed furniture that Avery loves. She reaches for a stuffed animal on the back of the couch, a tiger she has named Homer, and clutches him to her chest as she settles into the cushions. It’s been three weeks, Dr. Becke says, without regarding her notes. The last time we got together you had a fall festival at school. She sits next to Avery and leans toward her, tapping her leg. How’s first grade going?

Good, Avery says, bending Homer’s ears up and down.

What’s your favorite part about it?

Avery lifts her shoulders and scrunches up her face. I like my teacher and I really like when we write stories on the computer.

Dr. Becke tilts her head back on the sofa and looks up at the ceiling. While Jennifer always feels uncomfortable and on edge when she first walks into her office, Dr. Becke eventually puts her at ease. Stories on the computer! Can you tell me about one you’re working on?

It’s about a dog named Homer.

Dr. Becke leans up, her eyes widening. Homer? I’m sensing a theme here, she says, squishing Homer under her hand. Avery giggles and relaxes farther into the cushions. What is happening to Homer the dog?

He was outside playing with his brothers and sisters when he chased a rabbit but the rabbit wouldn’t stop running and he ran all the way to a street where nobody knows him.

Dr. Becke snaps her head to look at Avery. And?

And that’s all.

Dr. Becke slaps her thighs. That’s all? Homer’s on a street where nobody knows him and you just leave him there?

Avery laughs and bounces the tiger on her legs. I still have to work on it.

I should say so! You need to get Homer off that street and back with his family toot sweet! Do you know what that means? Avery shakes her head. It means fast! You can’t leave Homer on some strange street with wayward rabbits and naughty cats. And don’t get me started on all those misbehaving dogs!

Avery smiles, shaking her head. Maybe you should write the rest of it.

Dr. Becke and Jennifer laugh. No! It’s your story. And I want to read it when you’re finished, okay? Avery nods. Dr. Becke looks at Jen, raising her eyebrows. So how are things?

When Avery isn’t looking, Jennifer raises her left hand and points to the ring. Dr. Becke nods. Sleep is interrupted throughout the night, Jen says, nodding her head toward Avery. "And bed-wetting has started

Reviews for The Christmas Light

[thornton37814 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer and Avery have lost their husband and father. Avery is having difficulty coping and is seeing a therapist. Ryan comes to Grandon to visit his aunt. He has custody of his daughter Sophia. An unwed mother and a couple seeking adoption are also residents of Grandon. All of their lives are brought together by a Christmas Pageant at the Grandon Community Church that Ryan's aunt and her friend Miriam are organizing. A major theme in the book is how darkness can turn to light. It also shows how God can use each of us in spite of our flaws. Donna Van Liere writes nearly perfect Christmas stories. This may be among her finest. If you need to experience a Christmas miracle, this book is for you!

[drebbles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer DeLuca is a single mom, struggling to raise her daughter Avery after the death of her husband. Her struggles are made harder because six-year-old Avery is having a hard time accepting the fact that her father is gone. Ryan Mazyck is a single father who is raising daughter Sophia after his divorce. Sixteen-year-old Kaylee is pregnant and trying to decide what to do with her baby when it is born. Steven and Lily are ready to start a family but have had no success in getting pregnant. These five people are struggling but during doing their best. Little do they realize that a Christmas pageant will bring them all together and forever change their lives.“The Christmas Light” is exactly what I'm looking for in a Christmas romance novel - the romance is sweet, the book is a bit light and fluffy, happy yet sad at times, and totally predictable. This is the type of book where you know what is going to happen so you just sit back and enjoy the ride. While the book features five characters the main story is about Jennifer and Ryan. This story is heartbreaking at times (keep tissues nearby!) and very realistically done. You may think you know where their story is going but there are a few surprises along the way. The Kaylee/Stephen/Lily story is again predictable but also has a surprise or two. Also mixed in with all of this is the story of the Christmas pageant run by Miriam and Gloria - these two are a hoot and add some much-needed laughter to the book. If I have a complaint about the book it is the writing style – the present tense is a bit jarring and takes some getting used to.“The Christmas Light” is the first book I've read by Donna VanLiere but it won't be my last. Well done.

[squiresj_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Five people drawn together by a Christmas Nativity play.Jennifer and Ryan are both single parents with a daughter each. A loss of a father so quickly leaves Avery shocked for some time.A mother walks out on her husband and daughter. Grief is different than death but still a great loss.Kaylee, a teenager about to give birth to a baby. Stephen and Lily happily married looking to adopt a child.It's amazing how lives cross for miracles at Christmas. And the birth of "The baby of all babies" makes on chuckle but right on cue.Of course being a teacher for years, I loved the unruly twins in angel choir.Have tissues handy as you near the end to dry your tears which will come.

[mom2lnb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Christmas Light is another heartwarming, holiday read from Donna VanLiere in her Christmas Hope series. Once again, we get to visit with some of the residents of the little town of Grandon, where everyone pulls together to help their neighbors and where the residents know how to spread the spirit of Christmas. While most of the previous books in the series followed perhaps two or three major characters with the other townspeople in supporting roles, this book has more of an ensemble cast. The stories of several characters are interwoven together, surrounding preparations for the upcoming Nativity pageant put on by a local church. Because there are so many characters, we don’t get to know them on quite as deep of a level as some of the past characters in the series, but they’re all still likable people who I’d love to have as neighbors.First, we have Jennifer and her daughter, Avery. Jen is still working through the loss of her husband three and a half years earlier, while Avery has never truly made peace with her father’s death. These two seem to be walking through life in a blur, putting one foot in front of the other, but not really living until they finally find that “magical” breakthrough each of them needs to put the past to rest. Enter Ryan and his daughter, Sophia, who is the same age as Avery. Ryan is the nephew of Gloria Wilson, and he went through a painful divorce after his wife left him. He and Sophia are getting along fine now, and he comes to town, checking into a new job opportunity. However, he’s trying to choose between the job that is close to his aunt and another one that is four hours away. There’s a touch of romance between Ryan and Jen and a serendipitous connection that helps Jen in her quest for peace.Then, there’s Kaylee, a pregnant, unwed teen, whose parent’s are planning on moving soon. She worries about what the future holds for her and her child. She meets Lily, a social worker, who’s the now-grown daughter of Robert Layton (The Christmas Shoes), and her husband, Stephen. They’re a sweet couple who desperately want a child of their own, but haven’t been able to have one. A little divine nudge and a Christmas Eve surprise brings them all the peace they’ve been searching for.Finally, the glue that holds this bunch together are best friends, Gloria and Miriam (The Christmas Promise). After the director of the upcoming Nativity pageant unexpectedly steps down, they’re tasked with putting on the play. It’s a humorous, raucous affair that nearly gives perfectionist Miriam an aneurysm. But in the end, it’s a blessing to all.One reason I knocked off the half-star was because The Christmas Light was more predictable than some of the others in the series, so perhaps not quite as engaging to me. The other is that the author wrote the entire book in third-person, present-tense, which is a very unusual style choice. I believe this is the first book I’ve read that was written in this style, which made it a little more difficult for me to get into. I checked and it appears that all the previous books were written in either first-person or third-person, past-tense. Either these, or first-person, present-tense, are much more common writing styles, so it makes me wonder why the author chose to write it this way, when it’s inconsistent with her other books. Overall, it wasn’t too bad, though, and as usual, the story was sweet and heartfelt, with a little inspiration on the side. The Christmas Light was the perfect compliment to this holiday season. I always enjoy my imaginary trips to Grandon and look forward to going back with the next book of the series, The Christmas Town.