Sam's Christmas Wish

by George Durrant, Dan Burr (Illustrations)

Sam Edwards isn't looking forward to Christmas, at least not this year. Since losing his job six months before, he hasn't had any luck in finding a new one. He isn't sure how he can give his family a merry Christmas, and the last thing he wants is charity from his neighbors. But when he falls asleep in his living room with his shotgun across his lap just to make sure no one attempts to visit him he wakes up to find out who left the presents, the freshly fallen snow reveals no footprints. Years later, Sam's wife has passed away and his children are grown. Old and sick, Sam remembers the kindness of the anonymous stranger from long ago and wishes for an opportunity to bless another's life. So on Christmas Eve, when he sees his neighbor's house on fire, he hopes that he can be the means for another anonymous miracle. Sam's Christmas Wish is a story of love, service, and sacrifice. It is one man's realization that Christmas is not just an event, but a spirit that can transform the lives of many.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Picture Books, Religion

36 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2014

Reviews

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books we have added to our Christmas collection in the last few years. This story is both humorous and deeply touching. It truly helps children and adults alike feel the spirit of secret service.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story, great illustrations especially humans.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

This is a powerful 29 pages. It made me smile, cry and think of many of my Christmas memories on both sides. Love the power of Giving in secret and receiving too.

One Christmas Sam had lost his job but he did not want any charity. He stayed up late to catch anyone who was going to give his family any gifts. Than he fell asleep. Christmas had come and left stuff inside his house. His kids were excited. Sam was mad he called the sheriff.

Sam finally felt the Christmas spirit. He gave the rest of his life but always wanted to do in secret and not get caught.

This story touched me. That even rethinking about the story brings the tears again.

I think this would be a good book for the family to read. I think we all need to learn to give in secret maybe not as great a gift as Sam gave but whatever we can. All the giving and receiving of gifts in secret sure spread the joy of Christmas. May we all have Sam's Christmas Wish all year long.

I have to say the illustrations by Dan Burry are beautiful. I would hang almost any of them on my walls.

I was given this book to read so I could give an honest review and be a part of Sam's Christmas Wish by George Durrant

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas picture books. I love books with a touching message. This Christmas book is one of my new favorites. The illustrations are beautiful- so life like and rich. I absolutely loved them.

I have quite a collection of Christmas books. Every year I wrap them up and put them in a basket for the month of December. Then, every night we open a book and read it at dinner. This is a tradition I love because all of these books bring the spirit of Christmas into my home. Peace, love and joy. This book will be a beautiful addition to my collection. It's about giving and receiving. It's about love and generosity. It's about miracles brought through service and sacrifice. This book brought out emotions in me. In the beginning I was a bit upset at a father who would deny his children Christmas because of his pride. But that father learns a valuable lesson and all his life seeks to return the Christmas miracle his family experienced to someone else. It was so touching.

I love, love, love this book! My thanks to Shadow Mountain for allowing me to read and review this title for them.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Edwards lost his job and money is tight. He doesn't want charity and is pretty outspoken about it. He falls asleep on Christmas Eve, with a shotgun across his lap to ensure that no one comes by or brings anything. Awakening on Christmas morning however, his house is full of Christmas gifts. But no footprints or anything to indicate how they arrived.

As he's storming around, trying to find a reason for the gifts, he watches his children's joy at receiving them and his heart softens. That Christmas spirit enters his heart and he realizes that it's about service and giving, not receiving.

As years go by, many in the community benefit from Sam's kindness, but he has always wanted the opportunity to serve anonymously. When that opportunity comes, Sam blesses another and finds true joy in Christmas service.

The story is not long, but is poignant. I did think that the ending, while expected, was a little abrupt. But this is a sweet Christmas story with gorgeous illustrations and a lovely message that Christmas isn't just an event, it's a feeling of love and a spirit of giving.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one has become a new Bellon family favorite. It shows the true meaning of Christmas and makes me tear up every time I read it! It's the story of Sam who is having a hard time providing a Christmas for his family, but he doesn't want "charity" from his neighbors. He sits up with a shotgun across his lap to make sure nothing gets dropped by, but somehow gifts and a Christmas dinner are left anyway. Sam doesn't let his family touch any of it and instead calls the sheriff. Surprisingly, the sheriff comes out and talks to Sam, pointing out that there's no footprints in the snow. How would any of his neighbors hide that? Sam finally accepts the gifts and thinks about the scripture given of doing our alms in secret. He then turns his life around to start doing his own "alms in secret" and longs for a time when he can pay it forward at Christmas to someone else's family. That opportunity comes and boy, I didn't expect the ending. A sweet story that will definitely put some Christmas spirit into your home.

Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. THIS ONE!
The story is INCREDIBLE!
And the illustrations are WONDERFUL!

Sam's Christmas wish is a little different from most...

This year he doesn't want ANYONE to help him...none...nil...zero...NO HELP!

Losing his job was hard enough but to have to accept charity is just something Sam cannot bring himself to do.

Now Christmas is here and Sam sits in his chair with a shotgun in his hands just daring anyone to come give his family any presents.

He WILL NOT accept them!

BUT...

Sam falls asleep...

And someone does come...

The children and his wife are ecstatic!

"WHO WAS IT?" Sam demands.

He even calls the Sheriff to come investigate.

They find that there are no tracks and no footprints in the snow leading up to Sam's house....

See how this Christmas miracle came to be and how it changed Sam's life.

"A story of love, service, and sacrifice."

NEW story!
PERFECT for the season!
A WONDERFUL family read!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess, I thought I knew where this story would end up, but I was surprised by the ending. When Sam's family is blessed on Christmas with gifts and dinner after he lost his job, he doesn't want to accept it. But when he calls the sheriff in anger, the sheriff shows him that there are no tracks in the snow except his own. For the sake of his children, Sam eventually gives in and accepts the gifts and he takes the scripture shared to heart: "That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." Sam uses this scripture in doing many good deeds throughout the rest of his life, but he wants very much to do an act of service that no one every knows was done by him. And when his neighbors who have been so kind to him end up in serious trouble, he puts his life on the line to help. A beautifully illustrated story of true love and service that is bound to touch even the hardest heart.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This greatly illustrated book is unique to Christmas stories which is part of the reason why it's such a great book. It starts out with a man who lost his job a few weeks before Christmas. In his pride, he didn't want people to help his family provide the Christmas that he couldn't. But somehow it came anyway filled with presents, a Christmas dinner ham, and a Bible. Not a trace of evidence of where the gifts came from, it changed Sam. It changed his heart, much like Ebeneezer Scrooge, and for the rest of his life he did acts of service for others.

But that isn't all. There is a great ending to the story where Sam is finally able to do his own grand act of service. You'll have to read it to find out. This is definitely a Christmas book you want on your bookshelf. It's a great children's book to teach service and love to your family. Your children will love this story and it's a great opportunity to jump start anonymous service traditions in your own family this Christmas.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've received a lot of Christmas books over the past few weeks and this was the one my nine year old picked up first. She read all the way though and loved the story. "Sam got his Christmas wish!" With beautiful life like illustrations and a tender story of selfless service, Sam's Christmas Wish is also a tear jerker.

Sam is a grumpy dad and gruff neighbor who will call the Sheriff if you try to serve him with "charity." But his heart softens over the years and he is given an opportunity to extend a hand of love. We loved Sam's Christmas Wish and will read it year after year!

[Kristi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a longtime family favorite. We originally received the book "That Thine Alms May Be in Secret" by George D Durrant, as a gift in 1992. My husband would read it to our family each Christmas Eve as we sat around the Christmas tree. A cherished family tradition. Our children are grown and have families of their own. With the original story no longer in print, I was so happy to find this book that I bought one for each of our children so that they could carry-on our family tradition.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the story called "That Thine Alms Be In Secret" by George Durrant around Christmas each year. I was excited to find a slightly shorter version in this children's book. The illustrator is someone my husband knows, so we like to collect his books. This is a wonderful story with great illustrations. I have enjoyed reading the book to my kids. It's a very sweet, inspiring story and I cry every time I read it!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam begins the story as a proud father who has lost his job and who doesn't want anyone to help him or his family during the holidays. But when someone does help and no trace of the "do gooder" can be found, he gives in and lets his family open the gifts. For years, he hopes that someday he can return the favor...doing something good without being caught. Will he ever get the chance?

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful picture book and story for any age. Good message. Wonderful illustrations. I wondered if this was based on a true story.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I just thought this book tried to do too much in one plot.

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy read. Just a good Christmas feel good story. I wasn't expecting the ending, that through me off. But I really enjoyed it.

[Stasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on this story and want to pass it on to future generations.