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The Christmas Portrait
When a young patient grieving the death of her sister recognizes the man in a portrait hanging in her office, Dr. Kate Harding, an art therapist, is startled but not entirely surprised. The face in the painting takes her back twenty years to snow-covered Cedar Point, Kentucky, and to her first Christmas without her mother.
As Christmas approached, John Harding, his daughter, Kate, and son, Chesler, were struggling to adjust to life’s changes after the September death of his wife and their mother. When a conversation with Granny Grace convinced Kate that there was Christmas in heaven, she was determined to get her mother a present, a special gift that would make her mother happy forever. No one could tell Kate how to get her gift to heaven—not her daddy, not Uncle Luke the medical student, not Aunt Susannah Hope, and not even Pastor Simmons who she was most certain would have the answer. But Kate devises and executes a Christmas Eve plan that changes her life. Kate’s Christmas is filled with surprises—taking in a runaway girl who had no mother, a tender exchange of Christmas presents, a meeting with Mister Josh, and finally, an astonishing family Christmas portrait.
As Christmas approached, John Harding, his daughter, Kate, and son, Chesler, were struggling to adjust to life’s changes after the September death of his wife and their mother. When a conversation with Granny Grace convinced Kate that there was Christmas in heaven, she was determined to get her mother a present, a special gift that would make her mother happy forever. No one could tell Kate how to get her gift to heaven—not her daddy, not Uncle Luke the medical student, not Aunt Susannah Hope, and not even Pastor Simmons who she was most certain would have the answer. But Kate devises and executes a Christmas Eve plan that changes her life. Kate’s Christmas is filled with surprises—taking in a runaway girl who had no mother, a tender exchange of Christmas presents, a meeting with Mister Josh, and finally, an astonishing family Christmas portrait.
- GenresChristmas
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Clark Nichols
19 books38 followersPhyllis Clark Nichols’s character-driven Southern fiction explores profound human questions using the imagined residents of small town communities you just know you’ve visited before. With a strong faith and a love for nature, art, music, and ordinary people, she tells redemptive tales of loss and recovery, estrangement and connection, longing and fulfillment . . . often through surprisingly serendipitous events.
Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Born during a hurricane, she is no stranger to the winds of change: In addition to her life as a novelist, Phyllis is a seminary graduate, concert pianist, and cofounder of a national cable network with health- and disability-related programming. Regardless of the role she’s playing, Phyllis brings creativity and compelling storytelling.
She frequently appears at conventions, conferences, civic groups, and churches, performing half-hour musical monologues that express her faith, joy, and thoughts about life—all with the homespun humor and gentility of a true Southern woman.
Phyllis currently serves on several nonprofit boards. She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait-artist husband.
Website: PhyllisClarkNichols.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PhyllisCNichols
Twitter: twitter.com/PhyllisCNichols
Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Born during a hurricane, she is no stranger to the winds of change: In addition to her life as a novelist, Phyllis is a seminary graduate, concert pianist, and cofounder of a national cable network with health- and disability-related programming. Regardless of the role she’s playing, Phyllis brings creativity and compelling storytelling.
She frequently appears at conventions, conferences, civic groups, and churches, performing half-hour musical monologues that express her faith, joy, and thoughts about life—all with the homespun humor and gentility of a true Southern woman.
Phyllis currently serves on several nonprofit boards. She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait-artist husband.
Website: PhyllisClarkNichols.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PhyllisCNichols
Twitter: twitter.com/PhyllisCNichols
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 11, 2015
A very unusual Christmas book by new author Phillis Clark Nichols. Certainly not what I was expecting, as this first-person story goes back in Katherine Joy's (love that name!) life to the 1st Christmas after the death of her mother. I'm warning you - chapters 1 & 2 require tissues. This tale is so sweetly done that it would be a tremendous blessing to read this with your child. The tone of the writing is perfect for the characters. So, if you have lost someone close to you...whether you were young or old when it happened...this book will resonate with you and help to release some of that emotion. Merry Christmas!
January 17, 2024
There's not enough stars to rate this book! Just an incredibly entertaining, inspirational and moving read. A Christmas gem, for sure.
A Christmas Portrait is a poignant, coming-of-age story that begins with the passing of 10-year-old Kate's Mama from cancer, then becomes about family love, support, faith, and kindness. I love the realism, for death is a part of life. I'd rather face it and breathe in inspiration than avoid the topic. But for a Christmas-themed read? Yes! Christmas is a joyous time, but Christ was born to die for us. There were times when I smiled through tears, but this story is not a downer. Anything but, in fact! I loved young Kate and her family, her girlfriend Laramie, and the symbolism of a cardinal. And I loved the grown-up Kate, who worked with grieving children, and the mysterious Mr. Josh who appeared when children were in need. There's a wonderfully fulfilling epilogue at the end.
Two themes of faith run throughout the story... First, Kate's Mom gives her three stones symbolizing the way to keep her head above water in life.
"This rock is your faith. Praying is talking to God. Faith's depending on Him. You just keep doing it, even when you don't feel like it, or you don't want to, or it doesn't make a dab of sense ... The second rock is your family. They'll take good care of you, but you must remember life's going to get rough for them too, and you're one of their rocks. So sometimes, you'll have to be strong for them ... This final rock is for forever. Life as we know it here on this planet is not all there is. There are things we cannot see here, but they are real. So you live and love knowing it's forever."
"Faith, family, and forever. I won't forget, Mama."
Second, living life in a way that reflects kindness...
“Granny, why are you kind to everybody?”
“Why, child, I’m building my mansion in heaven, and with every act of kindness, I’m adding another brick.”
Granny’s mansion is gonna be big and tall.
This story will stay in my heart and be read again.
A Christmas Portrait is a poignant, coming-of-age story that begins with the passing of 10-year-old Kate's Mama from cancer, then becomes about family love, support, faith, and kindness. I love the realism, for death is a part of life. I'd rather face it and breathe in inspiration than avoid the topic. But for a Christmas-themed read? Yes! Christmas is a joyous time, but Christ was born to die for us. There were times when I smiled through tears, but this story is not a downer. Anything but, in fact! I loved young Kate and her family, her girlfriend Laramie, and the symbolism of a cardinal. And I loved the grown-up Kate, who worked with grieving children, and the mysterious Mr. Josh who appeared when children were in need. There's a wonderfully fulfilling epilogue at the end.
Two themes of faith run throughout the story... First, Kate's Mom gives her three stones symbolizing the way to keep her head above water in life.
"This rock is your faith. Praying is talking to God. Faith's depending on Him. You just keep doing it, even when you don't feel like it, or you don't want to, or it doesn't make a dab of sense ... The second rock is your family. They'll take good care of you, but you must remember life's going to get rough for them too, and you're one of their rocks. So sometimes, you'll have to be strong for them ... This final rock is for forever. Life as we know it here on this planet is not all there is. There are things we cannot see here, but they are real. So you live and love knowing it's forever."
"Faith, family, and forever. I won't forget, Mama."
Second, living life in a way that reflects kindness...
“Granny, why are you kind to everybody?”
“Why, child, I’m building my mansion in heaven, and with every act of kindness, I’m adding another brick.”
Granny’s mansion is gonna be big and tall.
This story will stay in my heart and be read again.
November 12, 2022
Sweet Story.
December 17, 2025
"When a young patient grieving the death of her sister recognizes the man in a portrait hanging in her office, Dr. Kate Harding, an art therapist, is startled but not entirely surprised. The face in the painting takes her back twenty years to snow-covered Cedar Point, Kentucky, and to her first Christmas without her mother.
As Christmas approached, John Harding, his daughter, Kate, and son, Chesler, were struggling to adjust to life’s changes after the September death of his wife and their mother. When a conversation with Granny Grace convinced Kate that there was Christmas in heaven, she was determined to get her mother a present, a special gift that would make her mother happy forever. No one could tell Kate how to get her gift to heaven—not her daddy, not Uncle Luke the medical student, not Aunt Susannah Hope, and not even Pastor Simmons who she was most certain would have the answer. But Kate devises and executes a Christmas Eve plan that changes her life. Kate’s Christmas is filled with surprises—taking in a runaway girl who had no mother, a tender exchange of Christmas presents, a meeting with Mister Josh, and finally, an astonishing family Christmas portrait."
As Christmas approached, John Harding, his daughter, Kate, and son, Chesler, were struggling to adjust to life’s changes after the September death of his wife and their mother. When a conversation with Granny Grace convinced Kate that there was Christmas in heaven, she was determined to get her mother a present, a special gift that would make her mother happy forever. No one could tell Kate how to get her gift to heaven—not her daddy, not Uncle Luke the medical student, not Aunt Susannah Hope, and not even Pastor Simmons who she was most certain would have the answer. But Kate devises and executes a Christmas Eve plan that changes her life. Kate’s Christmas is filled with surprises—taking in a runaway girl who had no mother, a tender exchange of Christmas presents, a meeting with Mister Josh, and finally, an astonishing family Christmas portrait."
November 10, 2022
I don’t even know where to start; I’ve been crying off and on all day, at work! I work in a small used bookstore, and while straightening shelves this morning, I found this book. So I had to read it. A beautiful story about loss and grief. It’s the first Christmas for Kate and her brother Chesler since their mother died. It is quite an eventful holiday: a missing girl, an engagement, a new baby, getting locked in church overnight, and redbirds. Redbirds remind Kate of her mom, and they appear throughout the story. Christmas in Heaven. What a wonderful thought!
December 7, 2017
I'm giving this book 4 stars for being well written. I like to read light-hearted stories at Christmas. This is a very serious book with a great message. The red bird on the cover is very significant. Read the book to find out why. It's nice to think that someone may be looking down upon you from heaven.
August 20, 2019
The Birthday Portrait is a beautiful story.
Family, relationships, and love are beautifully woven together in THE BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT by Phyllis Clark Nichols. The detail is so rich, it’s like peeking over the shoulder of someone as they live their life.
Family, relationships, and love are beautifully woven together in THE BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT by Phyllis Clark Nichols. The detail is so rich, it’s like peeking over the shoulder of someone as they live their life.
November 14, 2022
Beautiful
This story is a beautiful story. A family story of missing someone you love. A story you will enjoy. This book was my first from this author. Can't wait to read the next book.
This story is a beautiful story. A family story of missing someone you love. A story you will enjoy. This book was my first from this author. Can't wait to read the next book.
December 28, 2024
If you are looking for a typical lighthearted Christmas story, this is not it. It’s dealing with grief and finding one’s way forward from loss. Very well written, it can be read by all ages. I very much enjoyed the epilogue where we find out how everyone is faring a number of years down the road.
January 7, 2026
It was a story that makes you think about those that have gone before and how it affects our holidays, affects us as children and that we feel like orphans. I loved the epilogue, that the author took into account how we would wonder what happened to the characters in the story.
April 11, 2019
Phyllis Nichols was a new author to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed her book. It was a heartwarming Christmas read that touched my heart.
April 14, 2019
Very good book
January 25, 2020
What a wonderful book ❤️ I loved Katherine Joy’s story. And the redbird, and of course, Mr. Josh. ❤️
January 7, 2021
Good, wholesome Christmas story.
December 21, 2023
Beautifully written
This book is such a great read for anyone that has lost someone and is experiencing the holidays. It touches your heart and exudes hope.
This book is such a great read for anyone that has lost someone and is experiencing the holidays. It touches your heart and exudes hope.
August 12, 2020
This was really good and kept my attention throughout about a little girl named Kate who loses her mother to Cancer. For Christmas she wants to give her a special gift and have to figure out how to get it to her in heaven. Hard book to put down and makes you realize just how important family is.
March 16, 2016
I really felt this book - which may sound like a strange way to describe the impact of the written word. The truth is there were so many statements and situations that reminded me of my own experiences in real life or sometimes experiences that I wished that I had had in real life that the book tugged at my emotions. . For instance, sometimes after reading a paragraph in the book I would wish I had been inspired to say certain of those words to one of my own kids. Maybe I will find the right moment to say them to my granddaughter.
the fact is that I know the author and it was no surprise to me that she authored this sweet book. I think if you know Phyllis then you have a good picture of “Mama” in the book.
The story line in the book is about how Mama’s two young children and their father face the first Christmas without Mama. I am glad I read the book and I think you will feel the same way.
the fact is that I know the author and it was no surprise to me that she authored this sweet book. I think if you know Phyllis then you have a good picture of “Mama” in the book.
The story line in the book is about how Mama’s two young children and their father face the first Christmas without Mama. I am glad I read the book and I think you will feel the same way.
December 9, 2015
A gentle, sentimental, and satisfying Christmas story that evokes a simpler time and place. This would be a great read aloud for a mom or grandma and a young girl (maybe around 8 or older), but get the tissues ready. Phyllis and I attend church and Sunday School together and I am just so proud of her for writing this lovely book. Faith. Family. Forever.
January 2, 2016
I highly recommend The Christmas Portrait
I loved this book! While built around a tragedy no child should have to go through...this precious story encourages values we often ignore today...Faith, Family, Forever.....bringing joy to others while knowing God has all our best interests at His heart.
I loved this book! While built around a tragedy no child should have to go through...this precious story encourages values we often ignore today...Faith, Family, Forever.....bringing joy to others while knowing God has all our best interests at His heart.
November 30, 2015
Sweet book about a young girl who is preparing for her first Christmas since her mom died. I love the references to cardinals as a message from her mom especially since the cardinal has been a message for me as well. A lovely feel-good Christmas story!
March 5, 2020
Within the first few pages I was crying. Then i was able to contain myself. Then of course I cried at the end. Phyllis definitely did a good job at making this book feel like a real life situation. Book kept my attention and I was able to complete within two days.
November 6, 2015
As Christmas approaches two people, a doctor and a little girl must deal with the deaths of their loved ones. The Christmas Portrait was a heartwarming story.
December 22, 2015
This sweet book, by a local Hill Country author, begs to be read aloud to older children. The precious Christmas story is inspiring this time of year.
February 15, 2016
This was an amazing book; full of faith and hope.
April 9, 2020
Grandma got this for me for Christmas and wasn't totally sure. Read in 24 hours with some tears. :')
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews