The Christmas Box
Richard Paul Evans originally wroteThe Christmas Boxas an expression of love for his two daughters, never intending for it to be  published. Many Christmas seasons (and a rich publishing contract) later, this  touching tale relates the meaning of Christmas in a profound but simple way.  Rick, Keri, and their 4-year-old daughter, Jenna, are hired as caretakers and  are welcomed into the home of Mary, an ailing widow, just in time for the  holidays. Before long, it becomes apparent that Mary cherishes their  companionship, and this young family begins to understand that their  relationship to Mary is more special than any one of them could have realized.  These tender relationships, fraught with real-life struggles, are the backdrop  for unraveling a mysterious secret that gently propels the reader through this  short story. Unlike most generic Christmas stories, Evans manages to bypass  triviality, imbedding these pages with humble truth and emotion. This tiny  treasure will cause you to rejoice in the blessings of the season while stirring  up a childlike vigor as old profundity is revealed anew. In a season often  shrouded in selfishness and materialism, Evans reminds the reader that the only  way that we can genuinely love one another is by accepting the greatest gift of  love ever given--that of a Father who "so loved His children that He sent His  son, that we might someday return to Him."--Jill Heatherly