The Pope & the Snowman: A Christmas Tale

By Roger Coleman

In the tradition of The Little Prince, The Pope and the Snowman is a book that can be read on several levels. For adults, it is a story tracing thepope's loss of faithand hissearch to recover a sense of compassion and purpose. For children, it is a storyin which the pope is given the opportunity to become a child again, rediscoveringjoy and hope in the faces of the children he meets. In the end, with the help of thethe snowman and the children of Rome, the pope makes a personal commitment with far reaching consequences.

The Pope and the Snowman includes 22 illustrations by Richard Becker, a free-lance illustrator and former designer with Hallmark Cards.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 4, 2009
• ISBN: 9781449011291

Roger Coleman

Roger Coleman is a pastor and community activist who has worked in the midtown area of Kansas City, Missouri for 35 years. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are the directors of Pilgrim Center, Inc., a community organization that provides activities for children and youth. Pilgrim Center also sponsors Pilgrim Chapel, a public chapel open to people of all faiths. In 1986, Dr. Coleman, while chairman of the Mayor's Task Force on Hunger, was in Ethiopia as part of an international response to the famine in that country. On his return home, he spent a miraculous evening in Rome. These two experiences have helped shape The Pope and the Snowman. Dr. Coleman attended college at Bethany College and seminary at Texas Christian University. He has a M.Ed. degree in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri and a D.Min. degree in theology and community development from St. Paul School of Theology. He is the creator of the Family Medallion, a symbol and resource for celebrating family unity. 

Book preview

© 2009 Roger Coleman. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 7/30/12

ISBN: 978-1-4490-1129-1 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-1128-4 (he)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-1127-7 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009911454

To Denise Dowd,

who introduced me to the pope and the snowman

and

Elizabeth Coleman,

who still believes it can snow in Rome

on Christmas Eve

Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

-Gospel of Matthew (18:3)

Contents

Prologue

Introduction

Scene 1: The Pope’s Study

Scene II: In The Garden

Scene III: Escape from the Garden

Scene IV: On the Hillside

Scene V: The Pope’s Study

Scene VI: The Pope’s Vision

Conclusion

Epilogue

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Prologue

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I first met the pope and the snowman at the home of Dr. Denise Dowd, an American physician who had recently retired and taken residency in the city of Rome. While my wife, Elizabeth, and I were visiting that city, after returning from a missionary assignment in Africa, we called upon our friend and former colleague. It was just two days before Christmas, and in honor of our visit, Dr. Dowd hosted a dinner party to which a number of American and Italian dignitaries were invited.

As was the custom in her home during the holidays, after dinner the guests began to share their personal thoughts and stories about the Christmas season. As the evening