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The Candle in the Window

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An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here.

Join Finnian Jones as he takes you back to WW1 and the blizzard of 1917, where his great grandfather served as a mailman to the poor folks of the Smoky Hill Valley. Though it will take a miracle to survive the storm on that fateful Christmas Eve, he knows that Christmas miracles are all about special deliveries. Discover a very special Christmas story that opens the door for those seeking shelter from the pain of their past. Inspire your entire family with a beautiful portrayal of how a simple candle in the window can bring hope for the future and an encounter with the Light of the world.

71 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1925

3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read

About the author

Margaret Hill McCarter

109 books6 followers

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5 stars
53 (54%)
4 stars
27 (27%)
3 stars
15 (15%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Victoria Lynn.
Author 9 books1,061 followers
December 21, 2017
Listened to this during a drive. . .
Bad idea.
I ended up balling my eyes out while trying to drive.
But really. This story is so heartwarming and is a masterpiece of storytelling. All of the small details that were placed perfectly. . .
Words cannot express my love of this story. It may actually be my favorite lamplighter which, is hard to say, but quite true nonetheless.
Profile Image for Faith.
Author 5 books258 followers
October 20, 2020
Oh my goodness, this story was just the most precious little thing ever!! ^_^

Last year, I won a giveaway of a bundle of audiobooks/dramas. This was included and when I saw that it was Chrismasy (and connected to WWI, according to Goodreads :D) I wanted to listen right away! Unfortunately, it slipped my mind...until this year. I got to listen to it back in November though, and I loved it oh, so much!

I mean, c'mon y'all, there's WWI, there's a modern-day veteran (who may or may not be an amputee and a hero) and there's postal workers. Not to mention, a cute kid, a heartbroken schoolteacher, and a letter that will touch them all. <3

I truly enjoyed this little story with its endearing message of light and bringing light to the darkness! <3

(Also...in case you're confused...Margaret Hill McCarter wrote the original book, and Lamplighter Theatre did the audiodrama. So I'm technically reviewing the audio. xD)

AMAZING. <33
Profile Image for Kate Willis.
Author 23 books569 followers
December 16, 2017
All done! Most of the cookies are decorated, and the cards are half done. ;) I enjoyed listening to this sweet, hopeful story. ;) I personally would have preferred a slower reveal of the mystery, but there was no objectional content and all of us down to middle grader sister enjoyed it. Also, the whole "walk you home?" thing was just too cute for words. <3
Profile Image for Elizabeth Dragina.
618 reviews14 followers
November 1, 2019
Whoa. My heart.

This little short story captures my heart every time, and I dread the ending knowing that I will experience grief. 😥

💖
Profile Image for Rebekah Morris.
Author 119 books269 followers
November 28, 2023
2023 Reread
Loved it all over again!

4.5 stars
This is such a heartwarming story. It takes place in a rural area of the US in the winter of 1917 during the first World War. The characters are so real, from the mail carrier, to the little boy, to the schoolmistress, and all the others. Each one has their own personalities and problems. But that Christmas time, and the candles in the widows . . . I want to put a candle in my window now after reading this story even if I live in a city.

The audio drama is good too, but I prefer the books to the dramatized version.
Profile Image for Carrie Brownell.
Author 5 books92 followers
November 22, 2019
Quick Christmas read. This story is set in 1917 and tells of one special Christmas during World War I. It's a fast read and a precious one, although also predictable in its sweetness. I don't mind that though. I'm down for a cozy Christmas read whenever!
1,840 reviews24 followers
December 23, 2025
If you want a good Christmas read, I highly recommend this one. Lamplighter's dramatization is awesome as well. Keep that candle in your window even when your light seems to have gone out. You just may help someone else with theirs.
Profile Image for Mariah.
68 reviews
June 5, 2022
This is a perfect Christmas story! It is touching and inspiring and shows the joy and light of Christmas. Also, it is pretty short so it is perfect to read with the family.
Profile Image for Teri.
1,361 reviews
January 6, 2015
I had this book on my to read list for a very long time. I purchased the dramatized cd and the book. My daughter loved listening to this story on some long drives we took. I finally read the entire thing over Christmas vacation. It was a beautiful story. Our family did the advent candles for the first time this year and it was a tradition we would like to continue. I would like to have a candle in the window next year, after reading this story.
Profile Image for Evelynn.
243 reviews
December 30, 2013
Ohhhhh, this Lamplighter Theatre story. I have no words for it. I will say it made me cry, but it wasn't sad! So there. Just go listen to it for yourself. It was the perfect story to listen to this Christmas.
Profile Image for ✧*̥˚ Jordyn *˚✧.
148 reviews
December 25, 2023
This is an absolutely beautiful and touching story that reminds us how precious life is and how shining our light can impact others. Such a touching Christmas story filled with the ups and downs that will have goosebumps on your arms and tears on your face.
Profile Image for Phoebe Hinkle.
Author 7 books22 followers
December 17, 2024
I love this book so much. 🥰 It gives me all the feels because my dad used to be a mailman, so I understand the trials they go through at this time of year. But it's such a sweet story, my goodness. I teared up SO MANY times (good thing my mum was driving and not me, lol!) SUCH a happy ending. ❤️‍🩹
This story is the reason I keep an electric candle in my window - not just at Christmastime, but year-round. 💕

The audio has some minor historical errors, but nothing that detracts from the story. 🫠
Profile Image for April Blake.
15 reviews9 followers
January 4, 2020
A sweet little story. Perfect for Christmas time. Real meaning of Christmas and why Jesus came.
26 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2021
An adorable story! Just the thing to give hope and remind us about the true light of Christmas that came to us that night.
Profile Image for Hannah Hill.
34 reviews
June 13, 2024
What a delightful little 80 page book!! I read this book in probably a little less than an hour. It was quite enjoyable and little Tully was such a sweet boy to be introduced to.

I listened to “The Candle in the Window” earlier this year from Lamplighter Theatre and recently acquired a copy of the book. It was still an enjoyable read and am proud to add it to my bookshelf.
Profile Image for Susan.
193 reviews5 followers
November 25, 2013
This is a sweet tale told by mail carrier Tod Witherspoon about his best Christmas - Christmas 1917. It is a Lamplighter publication and the author is Margaret Hill McCarter. It is a beautiful Christmas story!
Profile Image for Sally.
596 reviews58 followers
December 8, 2014
I've always loved the idea of candles in windows at Christmastime, but even more so after reading this sweet book. While reminiscing with friends about a memorable Christmas, Tod Witherspoon, a rural mail carrier in Kansas, recounts the events of Christmas 1917 that forever changed his life.
Profile Image for Emily.
171 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2017
Wonderfully performed by the alamplighter Theatre! A sweet story for families to enjoy together at Christmastime.
Profile Image for Loretta F. Miller.
69 reviews
July 13, 2025
A super sweet story with an unexpected ending. Love. Sacrifice. Pain. Selflessness. The smallest things can create huge ripples!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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