Miracle of the Christmas Star

by Susan Dean Elzey

Hannah died the night she was born. The new star's light brought her back to life, but left her stricken with palsy. Sariah, Hannah's mother, believes Hannah can be healed, if only she can find the Savior. Miracle of the Christmas Star is a tender story of love, faith and endurance that will touch your heart and remind you why miracles happen.

Genres: Christian Fiction

169 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Also writes as Susan Dean Smallwood

Reviews

[Susan Elzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it because I wrote it! I invite you to read it and share in the story of Sariah and Hannah. Hannah is born the same night as Christ, but born dead . . . until the Star of Bethlehem shines into the window onto her and brings her to life. She is left crippled, however, and the rest of the story is about her mother's faith and courage in trying to find the savior whom she believes was born the same night as her Hannah and whose star brought her daughter to life. Grab a bunch of tissues and open the pages to an inspiring story of a mother's love and belief that she can indeed find the miracle she desires.

[Kay Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miracle of the Christmas Star is a story of the value of each of God's children and that even in the struggles that life throws at us we are never alone and God is very aware of us. He will send us "angels" in the forms of others walking through this life to aid us and lift us when the struggles seem to be too much to bear. It also was a great story in learning to find the joy in a life that maybe doesn't go as you thought it would and you find that God has a different plan in mind for you. It's a nice little book to curl up with on a quiet evening.

Click here to read my full review - http://ldsretailers.blogspot.com/2011...

[Aleisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though simple in plot and slightly predictable, this was a precious story of a faithful and selfless mother who loved and served her special needs daughter. I appreciated how she never gave up hope when it came to seeking the "miracle of healing" for her child. It was very tender. As the mother of a special needs son, I so look forward to a time--possibly in the life after this one--when I can see my son as "whole."

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of sadness in this book I thought as a mother loves and cares for her daughter that is stricken with palsy. She is a miracle child brought back to life with the light of the new star. Many scorn her.
The mother feels her child can be healed if she can just find Jesus.

[L_manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sariah is giving birth on a very special night. When her child is born, the child is not breathing. A very special star seemed to bring Hannah back to life, but it's a life full of pain. Hannah has palsy, and cannot take care of herself. Sariah and her husband do everything for Hannah, much to the dismay of some in the village. Several times throughout her life Hannah has seemed to be very lucky indeed, escaping death when other children could not. Sariah has heard that a savior was born under the same special star as Hannah, and she is determined to find him to heal her daughter. Through all the trials of life, Sariah and Hannah carry on hoping for one final miracle that can heal Hannah.

This was a very touching book. You really feel for Sariah. In fact, I think the thing the author did best was really capture the ups and downs of having a special needs child. There are so many unique struggles. Sariah wonders what will happen to Hannah when Sariah has gotten older; she also struggles with the dependence on her Hannah has for her every need. However, Sariah also realized the special love and joy she gets from having Hannah as a daughter. I think Sariah's desire to have Hannah be healed represents something that many parents want for their child, if only to make their child's life easier.

This book has very beautiful examples of faith, patience, and endurance. It is also a great reminders of all the miracles that occur in our lives, big and small. While it is a wonderful read during the Christmas season, I think it would also be good at any time of the year. This book can remind us of all the things we need to help us get through life and the one sure source of comfort we have.

Galley provided for review.

[Christine Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking and uplifting story of love, sacrifice and miracles. Sariah is a woman of faith who sacrifices for her little family. Her daughter, Hannah, is miraculously saved when the light of the new star shines on her after being born dead. But her life is not a normal one. She is stricken with palsy and cannot do anything for herself. She is never able to walk on her own and must be spoon fed. Sariah's husband, Joshua is a wonderful support and they have a true, strong love for both each other and their daughter. Sariah and Joshua hear of a Savior who was born on the same night their sweet Hannah was born, and they believe that he can heal their daughter. Sariah begins a decades long search for for the savior.

Sariah's faith is an inspiration to me. I struggle daily to do the things that I need to for my family, who are all well and whole (for the most part). The challenges that I deal with on a daily basis seem so big at times, but then I read stories of faith like this one (even though it is fictional) and I am inspired to try a little harder; to put more faith in God.

If you are looking for a book to inspire you this Christmas Season, this is a great selection. (Warning, read this book with a package of tissues by your side, you are certain to need them).

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story full of love, sacrifice, faith and enduring to the end. I can promise you,there will be many tears as you read this story. A mother's love for her child is the heart of this story.

Miracle of the Christmas Star is a book that will bring tears to your eyes. Sariah's story is of enduring through many trials, as she hopes for a miracle for her daughter Hannah. The reader will be amazed at the amount of heartbreak Sariah goes through in her life. You wonder how someone experiencing so much heartbreak in their life, can also have so much faith. The author, Susan Dean Elzey, truly knows how to write an emotional story.

To read the rest of my review please go to my blog at:
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot....

[V.R. Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly and concisely written, I found this a moving account of a woman with immense faith. It touched me in ways I did not expect, moving me to tears when I encountered a young woman whose situation I thought might be similar to the palsied Hannah's. It was a great reminder of what faith is about, and why we cling to it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sweet story, but the ending was lacking. I was hoping for more about the faith of the town she lived in after a child who lived over 30 years with such struggles suddenly is completely healed! What an extraordinary experience that wasn't given enough emphasis. And maybe something more from Hannah after about her faith.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile book. This story tells of a mother searching for a miracle for her daughter. Some miracles don't come quickly and sometimes we have to prepare ourselves for the miracle that we didn't exactly want. I would suggest this book as short, uplifting story set in the time of Christ. This little book helps show how faith can work miracles.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about the love found in marriage, family, faith, and the Savior. Keep your tissues handy b/c Susan has created wonderful characters that you easily connect with and then struggle with as Joshua and Sariah take care of their daughter Hannah who was born with palsy.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not that I disliked the book, I just didn't love it. It's a very sweet story but I wish it had ended differently. The resolution was a little too obvious. It's a short book and yet I struggled to finish it since it never really hooked me.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is set back in Jesus's time. A baby girl is born with palsey. She is born the same day as Jesus is. When the baby is a grown woman, her mother takes her to see Jesus in hopes that He can heal her. It is a really good book.

[Madonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of a tender mother's enduring faith. Always trusting in the Savior no matter how many hard knocks life threw at her. I hope to be this way, when I am old, I want to look back on my life knowing He was always there.

[Angie Workman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very emotional, touching story. A great gift for anyone on your Christmas list!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of love, endurance, and faith.

[Angela]

A very touching story about faith and love.

[Heather B Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of a mothers love and faith....
not really a Christmas story though....