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The Christmas Box
(The Christmas Box Trilogy #1)
by
"Whatever the reason, I find that with each passing Christmas the story of the Christmas Box is told less and needed more. So I record it now for all future generations to accept or dismiss as seems them good. As for me, I believe. And it is, after all, my story."
So begins "The Christmas Box, " the touching story of a widow and the young family who moves in with her. Toge ...more
So begins "The Christmas Box, " the touching story of a widow and the young family who moves in with her. Toge ...more
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Hardcover, 125 pages
Published
November 4th 1996
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 1993)
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Start your review of The Christmas Box (The Christmas Box, #1)
If you follow my reviews, you know that many of my nostalgic reflections involve my time working at Waldenbooks in the 1990s. That is no different with The Christmas Box. For those of you who might be familiar with the history of this book, that should come as no surprise. Released in 1995, this short hardcover was a staple stocking stuffer for many years (and may still be). We had stacks of copies a couple hundred high and kept a display at the registers to encourage add-ons. During the month o
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Someone just dropped off my "present" from the Relief Society. It's a copy of The Christmas Box. This is almost as bad as when the "gift" distributed at church on Mother's Day is a pamphlet about how good mothers should behave and then the dads get Snickers bars on Father's Day. At least they didn't leave a candy bar for Dan along with The Christmas Box for me this time. I bought a copy to read for a book club (and when I expressed my opinion as to the merit of this book at said book club, I fou
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I read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans yesterday afternoon. The best thing about it was that it was short. I feel a little like Elaine from Seinfeld when she hated the highly acclaimed "English Patient".
There must be something wrong with me. That's the only explanation, right?
Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story. A sad story and a good reminder of what is really, truly important--especially at Christmas. I get the message. I gave my babies extra hugs last night.
So, maybe my real probl ...more
There must be something wrong with me. That's the only explanation, right?
Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story. A sad story and a good reminder of what is really, truly important--especially at Christmas. I get the message. I gave my babies extra hugs last night.
So, maybe my real probl ...more
Okay, here we dive into theology. If you happen to be Mormon, just know you’ll be okay with the content and move along. (I don’t mind quiet discussion, but attack-comments will be deleted. If you object, please make it constructive.)
I expected there to be a little "supernatural" stuff in the book when I started because of the terms the box is spoken of in. However, it had been very highly spoken of by friends, and I pressed on. It’s very high in sentiment and it is deliberately aimed at giving a ...more
I expected there to be a little "supernatural" stuff in the book when I started because of the terms the box is spoken of in. However, it had been very highly spoken of by friends, and I pressed on. It’s very high in sentiment and it is deliberately aimed at giving a ...more
What a beautiful story and great reminder about what the holiday season really should be about.
The Christmas Box is a moving story about the meaning of Christmas. In this tale, it is children and the time parents spend with their children. Time can never be replaced, and time itself is truly the most meaningful and memorable gift of all. This story definitely urges the reader to reexamine priorities in life. Very beautiful and heartfelt.
"When I wrote The Christmas Box, I never intended to publish the story-it was simply an expression of love for my two young daughters, Jenna and Allyson....more
Usually, I'm not the type of person to cry over books. If I read something particularly sad, I usually end up sad for a little while, and then I'm over it. I'm not quite sure what it was about this book--but I ended up in tears. Sure, the ending was sad, but it was beautiful, as well. I have a younger brother, so the message that Mary was trying to make really hit home for me--about loving what we have because we don't know how much longer we'll have it. It's so true that oftentimes, everyone ge
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Sep 20, 2019
Caroline
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
Fans of Hallmark channel Xmas movies
I can't believe I read this corny book. When it was first published, someone gave it to me, and I must have been bored because...I actually read the thing. It's short and simplistically written, a very quick feel-good read. I forgot all about it until now, which really says it all: It's an unmemorable book, one of those Christmas stories dripping with sentimentality--exactly like the goofy Christmas movies the Hallmark channel airs every Christmas season. It's only goal is to warm the heart.
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Another heart warming tale that touched me from Richard Paul Evans. I finished this book and then logged on to reserved the next one at my library. His writing style imparts a simple path to truths that we take for granted. His exposure of those truths provide genuine opportunities for emotional awakenings. I think his stories are amazing. I like his work as much as I have enjoyed Mitch Albom. Take an afternoon and reflect on the true meanings he shows us in one of his books. You will surely be
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This was a really sweet book. I loved the lesson learned of the true gift of Christmas, and the love that was shared between these people. It was a really fast read and very touching, I thought that it depicted the true meaning of Christmas in a wonderful way. We have all been given a wonderful gift of eternal life, and we should all acknowledge that fact on more than the occasion of Christ's birth.
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This is a short read but an interesting short read....I give this 4 star.
I'm aware that this is now some sort of Utah-Cult-Classic, but I hated this book. It was way too sappy and way to warm and fuzzy for my liking. I probably gagged all the way through it. No offense to the whole children-dying thing that the book was trying to portray, I'm super sad for dying children, but.....
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I thought this would be corny but I really loved it! My full review will be up on my booktube channel at http://Youtube.com/peterlikesbooks
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Before I purchase or read a book that I purchased on a whim, I go to Amazon and read a few reviews. Typically, a couple of the five star as well as the one star reviews, getting a feel for both spectrums. The few negative/one star reviews that I read for THE CHRISTMAS BOX, didn’t deter me. Why they believe the book to not be good wasn’t concerning enough. The second thing I do is go inside the book and read a few paragraph to get a feel for the authors writing style.
If there was ever a book I w ...more
If there was ever a book I w ...more
Nov 14, 2014
Loraine
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christmas-stories,
novella
SUMMARY: Since it was first published, millions of people have been touched by the magic of The Christmas Box, a holiday classic that is as beloved in our time as A Christmas Carol was in Dickens's. When Richard Paul Evans wrote The Christmas Box, he intended it as a private expression of love for his two young daughters, Jenna and Allyson. Though he often told them that he loved them, he didn't feel that they could ever really understand the depth of his feelings until they had experienced the
...more
Oct 18, 2014
Raegan Ralls
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Anyone and everyone.
Shelves:
read-in-2014
Anyone that can read should read this book. This book has changed my life in a way words can't describe. You will just have to read it and find out yourself.
This was the first and only book that has made me cry. I don't know whether it was tears of joy or sorrow. A little of both I think. Makes you think about life. This book teaches you the true meaning of Christmas. To love and to cherish your family while you still have one. For love is eternal. ...more
This was the first and only book that has made me cry. I don't know whether it was tears of joy or sorrow. A little of both I think. Makes you think about life. This book teaches you the true meaning of Christmas. To love and to cherish your family while you still have one. For love is eternal. ...more
Beautiful and memorable. A repeat read for me every Christmas season. Small, yet packs a punch that will remain with you long after you've finished it.
Richard Paul Evans never fails to grab a reader by the heart. One of my, can always count on, go-to, feel good authors. ...more
Richard Paul Evans never fails to grab a reader by the heart. One of my, can always count on, go-to, feel good authors. ...more
sometimes his books only make good movies.
What a lovely sweet story about what is important in life. Love. God's love, familial love, friendship. Could be read in two or three hours if you had that block of time.
...more
Honestly I thought this book was very... unprofessionally written. Evans would describe the setting with gigantic words and vivid colors that would jump out to you, but yet he could not describe people's actions correctly.
I felt like this story was less of a story and more of a review. All it did was tell. It was like reading a book about water marine animals- full of fact, lack of showing.
For example;
'Jenna looked up sadly.'
'Mary paused thoughtfully.'
'Mary looked up sadly.'
'She asked sleepily. ...more
I felt like this story was less of a story and more of a review. All it did was tell. It was like reading a book about water marine animals- full of fact, lack of showing.
For example;
'Jenna looked up sadly.'
'Mary paused thoughtfully.'
'Mary looked up sadly.'
'She asked sleepily. ...more
This is another review of a book that will probably incite people to violence against me.
I read "The Christmas Box" this week, a "Top 5 Reads" from Debbie Macomber. It's a best selling book by a Christian man who created the story for his children then stumbled upon a national best seller.
I'm sorry, I know it's a touching and heartfelt story but it reads like the winning short story of a ninth grade High School student. My expectation of a book that sells successfully across the nation is at lea ...more
I read "The Christmas Box" this week, a "Top 5 Reads" from Debbie Macomber. It's a best selling book by a Christian man who created the story for his children then stumbled upon a national best seller.
I'm sorry, I know it's a touching and heartfelt story but it reads like the winning short story of a ninth grade High School student. My expectation of a book that sells successfully across the nation is at lea ...more
This was a reread of this inspiring now classic Christmas story. Grateful that I took time to read it again, despite the hectic demands the Christmas season can produce. In the last couple decades, so many Christmas novels have followed, but this one is a gem that is a forever keeper.
I'm a total sap and bawled through the whole ending. It was good, but I was glad it was so short! Nice for the holidays.
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A great short " get in the spirit" of Christmas book !!
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Read this book in one setting and cried my eyes. Definitely a reality check at the end of the day!
Touching story on the true meaning of Christmas and on how our families should be a high priority in our lives. The ending was absolutely beautiful.
If you’re looking for a quick read by the Christmas tree, this is your book. I feel like it could have been a lot better if the story was fleshed out a bit, but on the whole, it was okay.
34 days before Christmas! I just finished my first book hoping to start myself feel that Christmas mood!
I have around 10 Christmas-related books in my tbr shelf. Some of them, like Jan Karon's Shepherds Abiding and the two other books included in Charles Dicken's Christmas Books were from last year's horde. But I picked this one, bought only recently, as my first this year since I read and liked Richard Paul Evan's Grace: A Novel a few months back. Wiki says that this book, The Christmas Box mad ...more
I have around 10 Christmas-related books in my tbr shelf. Some of them, like Jan Karon's Shepherds Abiding and the two other books included in Charles Dicken's Christmas Books were from last year's horde. But I picked this one, bought only recently, as my first this year since I read and liked Richard Paul Evan's Grace: A Novel a few months back. Wiki says that this book, The Christmas Box mad ...more
I was a bit disappointed overall. It was written well and I have read worse but it came across (to me at least) as a piece of American Evangelical Christian stories, similar to those Left behind novels that came out a few years ago and therefore I could not connect to it, nor feel very comfortable with it, although the story it self is fairly harmless. Not too much to do with Christmas it self either, more to do with a family situation.
Sometimes you aren't looking for great literature. Instead you need a heartwarming, makes me want to cry book, that helps you try to make sense of your world. This faith-based book about re-finding the true meaning of Christmas tugged at my heart strings, but also made me examine my own priorities in life. It's a nice little story(only 120 pages), but worth reading and owning.
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Perks Of Bein...: The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evan - December 2019 | 18 | 84 | Dec 26, 2019 11:16AM | |
| Want to Step Up Your Window Boxes? You Need to Read this First | 1 | 1 | Jan 30, 2017 01:51AM | |
| Exchanging Gifts is Vital for Strengthening Relationships | 1 | 2 | Oct 06, 2016 11:48PM | |
| realistic Fiction | 2 | 3 | Jan 06, 2016 07:12PM |
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When Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written ele
...more
Other books in the series
The Christmas Box Trilogy
(3 books)
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