Gathering Christmas

by Larry R. Laycock, Lisa Gleave Laycock

If we are fortunate, our lives will span perhaps 80 Christmases - maybe more, maybe less. Let us be certain that we ". .. . gather Christmas well this year and always." For only true Gatherers of Christmas are able to preserve for the present, and gather for the future, the mysteries of this Season of seasons.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction

92 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

['becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And so it is on the eve of Christmas that waiting and wanting come to an end. In the birth and life of Christ we find hope, contentment, satisfaction, and completion, for everything good is gathered in Him. Through Christ, we collect all that matters. And in the end, may it be said of all of us that we loved one another."

Merry Christmas, friends in good reading!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the right little book for me at the right time. It is sentimental and perhaps a little saccharine but I loved it anyway.

John and Ruth Christianson spend every Christmas Eve, dressed as Santa Claus and an old beggar woman, making visits to people and households who need a Christmas miracle. Some need financial help, some need to be reminded of the magic of the season, some need the opportunity to give, some need to offer service to those most in need, lifting the receiver and enlarging the heart of the giver.

These are charming little stories, strung together, that remind us to gather Christmas memories of the best kind.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read about the giving spirit of Christmas. Good reminder for this time of year

[LeMira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick charming read, and a tradition for me to read every year during the Christmas season.

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this wonderful Christmas story. It really got me in the Christmas spirit!

[Elizabeth Ricks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hadn't known that Tannie Flammer was an artist. She did a beautiful job.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was actually very sweet. It's my dad's but he let me borrow it to read. It's short, and also straight to the point. Definitely an interesting take on Mr. and Mrs. Claus for sure.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think my mother in law sent this book for Christmas last year. I will have to ask her where she got it and why it's inscribed to her and signed by the author because I'm fairly certain this book is not her cup of tea.

This is very short and saccharine sweet and pretty overtly Christian, not to mention contrived and completely lacking in believability with simple, formulaic writing. But it is also well-meaning and earnest, and a reminder of the joy that comes from being generous and kind and helping those less fortunate (not that such behaviors require Christianity or any religion at all) and for that I raise my rating from 2 stars to 3.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I have a weird reaction to the first portion of this book, but by the end I enjoy the story and message. Overall I enjoyed it. A quick read with a good message. A good reminder of serving and thinking of others at Christmas, which oftentimes gets lost in the commercialization of the holiday.

[Phannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful way for me to celebrate my Christmas season. This book has drifted around my house since I was a little girl, I try to read it every year. The spirit that flows through the book will touch your heart. It reminds me what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. It makes me want to be the beggar woman at Christmas. I hope you enjoy it.

[Rene' Riddle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to other Christmas stories, I really didn't enjoy this very much. The two main characters (a married couple named John and Ruth are not just quirky, but weird. And ultra-super-cheesy- sentimental, to a fault. The chapters as well as the storyline are choppy, and I had a difficult time making connections about what was going on.

[Lynzee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for our church monthly book club. It's basically your feel-good Christmas do-good book. It wasn't amazing, but it was fast and easy to read, plus it got better at the end so I gave it 3 stars.

[Javier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to start the season. I like the idea from the book about giving creatively and anonymously. This book has a special meaning to me because the authors are my dear friends whom I tutored in Spanish at the MTC. The Laycocks are a sweet couple just like the couple in the book.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a warmhearted tale of how the Christmas spirit can prompt people into thoughtful action for the sake of others. The cast of characters includes, among others, the discouraged, the down trodden, the courageous and the caring. This book is as sweet as cranberries and as inviting as mistletoe

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from a friend. It was a nice, short, sweet Christmas read. It probably took an hour to read. It was a good story, full of reminders about giving service to others. Wonderful for Christmas time.

[Jodi Heiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it again. Good Quick Holiday read that reminds us that there is someone out there in need of charity. Especially at Christmas!

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas book about serving others.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming book that helps get me into the spirit of Christmas. It was a quick, enjoyable read.

[Shae Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Christmas books to read. It is short and sweet and a great reminder of what Christmas means and how we can all be 'Christmas Disciples'.

[Trent Mikesell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a Christmas story in June

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Christmas stories. The people in show the true meaning of Santa Claus and Christmas.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy holiday read... shared it with my Mom and her friends - they related to it a more than I did

[Dave Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful way to get me in the Holiday spirit. I love how this couple "gathers" Christmas through selfless acts of service.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute Christmas story and it was a neat idea that it was based on. It was not the highest quality writing compared to other books, but it was a sweet story.

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about the spirit of Christmas giving. Quick read.

[Tena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every Christmas seasons.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

wish I had read this earlier instead of during the Christmas book marathon because it tell of how one can share Christmas and help others

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I read this to my kids to inspire Christmas cheer. It's kind of cheesy.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I sort of feel like a Christmas hater by only giving this two stars, but I don't really like cheesy feel good stories.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Christmas short story books. I just found this book after thinking it was lost for good. Even though Christmas is over, I just might read it anyway.