A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle in the Manger

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A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle in the Manger

by Kathi Macias (Goodreads Author)

4.54 of 5 stars 4.54 · rating details · 39 ratings · 23 reviews

During Isabella Alcantara?'s seventh month of pregnancy, her parents and siblings are murdered in gang- and drug-related violence, simply because their home was targeted by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she now lives in a different location, but she knows too that the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband, Francisco. When her grandfath...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published October 5th 2011 by New Hope Publishers (AL) (first published September 5th 2011)

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Dec 18, 2011 Carey Clark added it

In A Christmas Journey Home, Kathi Macias takes the issue of human trafficking from an impersonal headline to a very personal collision between the worlds of two women: Miriam, an embittered widow whose husband was murdered by Mexican drug smugglers, and Isabella, a pregnant Mexican newlywed, struggling to put her faith in El Senor while she journeys across the US border, led by an unscrupulous “coyote.”

Pregnant Isabella and her husband Francisco flee Mexico after the brutal slaying of Isabella’...more In A Christmas Journey Home, Kathi Macias takes the issue of human trafficking from an impersonal headline to a very personal collision between the worlds of two women: Miriam, an embittered widow whose husband was murdered by Mexican drug smugglers, and Isabella, a pregnant Mexican newlywed, struggling to put her faith in El Senor while she journeys across the US border, led by an unscrupulous “coyote.”

Pregnant Isabella and her husband Francisco flee Mexico after the brutal slaying of Isabella’s entire family at the hands of los malos, the bad ones, who have sacrificed the safety of Isabella’s once idyllic community for the sake of the drug trade. But the situation they find themselves in once they are “safely” across the border isn’t much better, as they learn their caretakers are involved in human trafficking. They eventually escape, but Franscisco is killed, leaving Isabella a widow with a baby soon to be born.

Living on a ranch along the Arizona Border, Miriam has developed a hatred for all immigrants after her border patrol husband is killed in a skirmish with drug smugglers. She is bitter and angry at God.

When these two widows’ lives collide, grace steps in.

A Christmas Journey home is a wonderful read. I especially enjoyed the way the author wove in difficult questions, such as Isabella’s grandfather’s struggle of conscience over whether he was right, after praying about it, to encourage his granddaughter to escape to find a better life. He wonders: “Was it wrong to try to save a life when doing so involved breaking the law?”

Her grandfather also has a deep relationship with his God, and through that relationship, some other gems in the story emerge. Such as his musing that he “was well acquainted with the faithfulness of God, but he also knew that the road to fulfillment of His purposes was nearly always costly to those who traveled there.”

The portrayal of his faith is beautiful. Don Alfredo is in constant fellowship with God. At one point, he is preparing for bed:

“‘I am weary, Senor,’ he whispered a he climbed into the familiar bed that had seen so many nights and heard so many prayers. ‘And I am yearning to see Your face.’

And I, yours, came the response.”

I found the story suspenseful, and the characters easy to care about, particularly Isabella. I really wanted to know that she was going to be all right. In a busy week, when I couldn’t read in long sittings, I found myself wondering what her fate would be. The ending was satisfying, and the epilogue was the most beautiful portion of the book, in my opinion.
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Dec 05, 2011 Edna Tollison rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read almost everyone of Kathi's book and I have to say I think this is the best one. This is really two stories in one combined. I love Christmas stories and this one is about Isabella Alcantara and her young husband Francisco. After her parents and siblings were gunned down for no reason by the "Coyote" in Mexico, her grandfather gave up his life's savings to get her and her husband and their unborn child out of the country. They had paid all the money they had to a "coyote" to see them...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Whitney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kathi Macias has a unique way of taking a seemingly impossible situation and turning it on end to show the amazing way that nothing is impossible with God. She has done it once again in The Christmas Journey Home. In this story she tackles the subject of illegal immigration and all that surrounds it.

At the beginning of the book I started thinking that I’m not going to like this one because of the views that I have on the subject. I should have known better! If you think it is a pro illegal immig...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this tale, perfect for the holiday season and beyond, we meet Isabella a young pregnant Mexican woman who has suffered a horrifying loss. Her grandfather offers a way for her to leave it behind and start anew by being smuggled across the border. Miriam is a recent widow; her husband, a border agent was killed in a fight with drug smugglers.

Miriam lives on the border and Isabella crosses but both of them are put to tests of their faith - in their God, in their beliefs and in themselves. These...more

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Oct 19, 2011 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, christian-inspirational-fiction

A modern day version of the Christmas Nativity is brought to life on the pages of the latest book by Kathi Macias, A Christmas Journey Home. Two families lives are weaved together by God's answer to pray and to promote the healing that each of them need at Christmas.

Isabella Alcantara's life has been disrupted by the recent gang violence in Mexico. Her entire family, brothers and sisters, mother and father will all fatally killed when a gang filled their home full of bullets one night. The only...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Francisco and Isabella leave Mexico at the urging of Isabella's Grandfather. Drug and gang related violence took the lives of Isabella's family. Isabella's Grandfather gives her and Francisco his life savings to hire a 'coyote' to get them across the border to Arizona.

Miriam Nelson owns farmland in Arizona and is raising her six year old son Davey with the help of her Mother. Miriam's husband David, a Border Patrol Agent, was killed in a fight with drug smugglers at the border.

Will Isabella's Gr...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone!

Recommended to Molly by: Christian Speakers Services

Shelves: book-review

Wow. Beautiful. Stunning. Emotional. Moving. Those are many words to describe this new book from Kathi Macias. I love her and really enjoy her fictional work. This one just stops the charts for me. I love a good Christmas story, and this one, well, I loved it. It's awesome.

Mixed among the pages of wonderfully amazing characters, lies the true meaning of Christmas, and the need to have an unending faith in God. God's message rings loud and clear through out this story. I loved the way Ms. Macias...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Mills-Macias and published by New Hope Publishing, a division of WMU. I received this book via netgalley.com.

In one word, I would describe this book as "cute". Many characters tell their side of the story throughout the book. Being from the United States, the plot pulled me into the story. Being a Christian, I felt that if I could relate or understood better the conditions in which illegal aliens find themselves in, I would like to think I would have more compas...more A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Mills-Macias and published by New Hope Publishing, a division of WMU. I received this book via netgalley.com.

In one word, I would describe this book as "cute". Many characters tell their side of the story throughout the book. Being from the United States, the plot pulled me into the story. Being a Christian, I felt that if I could relate or understood better the conditions in which illegal aliens find themselves in, I would like to think I would have more compassion. The story boils down to one question: is it better to follow the laws of the land, or to show compassion to every human being, no matter their financial status/race/weight/etc. etc. (Even though everyone would most likely say compassion and love overrules, sadly it doesn't seem to be the case in which the world we live in today.)

We meet Isabella and her newly-wed husband Francisco out in the middle of the Arizona desert. Driven by violence in their town in Mexico and by the urging of her grandfather, the couple are illegal aliens trying to find a better life for themselves and a baby, who will be soon born. Isabella's whole family was killed by gang violence and as long as it is no longer safe for them to live there with a child on the way, they head out to the great unknown, trying to reach the American Dream.

Miriam, a newly-widowed wife and mom to six-year old son Davey, doesn't know how to control her grief or anger of her husband dying. Staying on at the ranch after her husband passes away due to his job as a border control agent, has left Miriam tired and stressed. If not for her mother, Carolyn, who has come to live with them to help - Miriam knows she coudln't continue to stay on the ranch that her son loves so clearly.

Things then continuely spin out of control for both Isabella and Miriam. Isabella and her husband are forced into a labor house while Carolyn's health suddenly takes a turn for the worse, leaving Miriam to fend for not only Davey and herself, but the sprawling ranch and the many animals who live there.

The story continues to show each person's thoughts in the situations. We even see how much Davey has the child-like faith of knowing there is a God. The story wraps up nice and neat, just like a Christmas present.

While the plot was an interesting concept, I wish the characters were more developed, had more depth to them. We only get a glimmer of Carolyn and her struggles and thoughts about her health. Isabella's grandfather is mainly only shown conversing with God and his one companion, another elderly man who has also lost his wife. I would have liked more of a background of Isabella and Francisco, the country to which they are fleeing from.

I would give this book a 3.5 rating. Good plot, but wish it would have given more of a punch. Thank goes to New Hope Publishing, http://www.netgalley.com/, and Kathi Mills-Macias for letting me review this book. (less)

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Sep 18, 2011 Nikole Hahn rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is my fault.

I agreed to review this book solely by its cover. I thought it would be a nice Christmas story. Instead, it’s a story about illegal immigration.

As an Arizona resident who has worked at Motor Vehicle, I witnessed:

* An umpteen number of illegals present fake social security cards (costing them in the thousands per card by those making them).

* Present to us fake titles.

* One fake title cost a couple $30,000 in cash.

* Listened to the news reports of Mexico’s cartel wars invading our...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

**************************BOOK TO BE RELEASED IN OCTOBER OF 2011************************************

Story Description:

During Isabella Alcantara's seventh month of pregnancy, her parents and siblings are murdered in gang and drug related violence, simply because their home was targeted by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she now lives in a different location, but she knows too that the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband, Francisco. When her grandfather offers...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Two stories intertwined to bring the true meaning of Christmas alive in this holiday story. The first, a recently widowed Miarian, depressed and lost in her own anger of her husband being killed on the border by smugglers. The second, Isabella, a mexican citizen being smuggled into the US to find refuge for her unborn child.

See where we are heading with this one? Kathi Macias does not write drivel. Intense emotions, raw with hurt, can God work his redemptive powers? A novel that gets to the hea...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Pamela Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

This Christmas novel could have been taken right out of today’s headlines about the immigration debate between the United States and Mexico; and the drug wars that are ravishing the border towns. Kathi Macias tells the stories of two families grieving the murders of loved ones and the choices they make to cope with their loss while putting their lives back together.

Most of Isabella Alcantara’s family has been murdered in the drug violence that is destroying Ensenada. When her grandfather offers...more

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Oct 25, 2011 LuAnn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christmas

A Christmas Journey Home is a modern-day tale of the Nativity story told in the New Testament. Here is a young Mexican woman who enters the U.S. illegally with her husband. Through a grueling set of circumstances when they first arrive, her husband is killed by camp raiders and she must continue on alone.

On the other side of the story is another young woman whose husband is killed by drug smugglers while he is on duty as a border patrol agent. Left with a small son to care for, bitterness and ha...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Beverly Frisby rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Please feel free to visit Kathi's website at www.KathiMacias.com.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (ChristianSpeakersServices.com).

My review of "A Christmas Journey Home:"

The story is a masterfully written tale of two women from different worlds, each having difficulty with their faith in God due to tragic circumstances within their families. They are bo...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Tima rated it 3 of 5 stars

Two stories run parallel until they come together to form a beautiful modern day Christmas story. Isabella follows her husband to the US in hopes of a better life than the one they were having in Mexico. But money constraints and evil people make their journey a constant test of their faith.
Miriam lost her husband in the war against drugs on the border of Mexico and the US. She now hates God and everyone of Mexican descent.

Christmas Journey is a sad and realistic story. But it ends with faith,...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

What an eye opening story. Isabella and Francisco leave Mexico to get away from the violence, after her family is murdered. All she has left is her Grandfather, he helps them financially to leave.
The other main characters are Miriam, her Mom Carolyn, and her six year old son Davy. During the past year they have lost David, a boarder guard, and Miriam blames all illegals for the death of her husband.
Isabella is seven months pregnant, and her husband is very worried about her. All he needs is a j...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Heavensent1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle In The Manger is a Christian Fiction.

Isabella Alcantara and her husband Francisco are newly wed and expecting their first child when Isabella's family are killed by banditos and they are encouraged to sneak across the Mexican border to escape the indecencies happening to the Mexican people by her own kind. Her Abeulo, has given his life savings to them in order to hire a "coyote" to take them across into America where he believes they can have a chance at a bett...more A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle In The Manger is a Christian Fiction.

Isabella Alcantara and her husband Francisco are newly wed and expecting their first child when Isabella's family are killed by banditos and they are encouraged to sneak across the Mexican border to escape the indecencies happening to the Mexican people by her own kind. Her Abeulo, has given his life savings to them in order to hire a "coyote" to take them across into America where he believes they can have a chance at a better life for their baby.

Carolyn Sinclair, her daughter Miriam and grandson Davey are in mourning over the loss of Miriam's husband, David, a border patrol officer who was killed in the line of duty. Miriam hates illegal aliens and believes them to all be thieves and murderers. Carolyn and Davey hold onto faith that everything has a reason even though Davey is young, his understanding of God and humanity is remarkable.

Isabella and Francisco have been left in the Arizona desert to die, their "coyote" stole all of their money and left them to wander aimlessly. They happen upon a group of people whom they believe to be their salvation and find themselves in a worse situation. Believing God will see them through, they wait for their chance to escape their newly found prison. When the miracle arrives on Thanksgiving morning, the two set off into the unknown to find a safe haven in which to have their baby and begin their new life.

The members of both families have their own agendas with God and each person must find their faith in order to survive the insurmontable lessons that life is dealing in order to heal their broken hearts.

I was enthralled with the plot of this story, the evils that humanity can do to another is heart-wrenching. If you have a weak disposition, some of the scenes described may upset you, they are written with much depth of emotion that you cannot help but cry from the injustice in the world.

I found that each of the characters were strongly written and well described. Each one had their own persona and you will have no problems following any dialogue that may occur. The dialogue was a bit cliched in areas, but it works for the believability of human nature, we don't always speak in well structured sentences and most of our lingo or common speak is full of cliches.

I loved the back story characters, especially Isabella's grandfather, his emotions brings you closer to the world around us. Through his eyes we see the decay of his neighbourhood and watches the joy slip from his neighbours eyes. Everyone walks while looking over their shoulders wondering when the next senseless acts of barbaristic attacks to the innocent will occur. I found the book to fray your emotions on many levels.

I would give A Christmas Journey Home a four and a half stars out of five, I did find the story to be a bit predictable but the read is still entertaining and the characters ingraining. You feel for everyone in the story, as everyone is reaching for the same ideals, without even realizing it.

The ending was superb and author, Kathi Macais, leaves you with enough to let your imagination finish the tale without having to do it for you.(less)

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Sep 23, 2012 Lanita rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book really made me think about why Mexicans try to cross the border to the United States and how local Americans look at it. Kathi Macias has a great way of pulling you right in to the drama of the lives she writes about.

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Oct 16, 2011 Andi Newberry ~Tubbs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Isabella & Francisco leave Mexico because of the violence, after the death of Isabella's family. Isabella is 7 months pregnant and all she has left of her family is her Grandfather and he hired a Coyote to bring them across the border to be safe.

I fell in love with this story and I thought about it days after I closed the last page.

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Dec 27, 2012 CarolynB rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, owned-e-books, read-in-2012

This is my favorite Christmas read this year. It's a very good story and the character development is awesome. I loved it.

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Jun 11, 2012 Brandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christmas

Amazing story full of thought provoking situations that are seemingly impossible...but God!

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Apr 01, 2012 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, christian-fiction, christmas-stories

Kathi Macias is one of my very favorite authors, and this book is a good example of her writing talents. She deals with a very timely, contemporary, and controversial topic, illegal immigration, in a very sensitive, even-handed way. It does not have as much to do with Christmas itself as some Christmas books do, but is a very touching, emotional story. This novel made me do some thinking about what I would do when confronted with certain situations, and how God is in control, even when circumsta...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ssefc-church-library

This book made me think and ponder the illegal alien issue. Kathi presented both sides of the issue in non-critical way.

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May 20, 2013 Amanda Alexander marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Susan marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Nancee marked it as to-read

Shelves: to-be-read

May 13, 2013 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 18, 2013 Robin Jansen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 10, 2013 Kennigi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 21, 2013 Virginia Moosbauer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2013, feb-2013

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About Kathi Macias

A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual...more

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