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A Christmas Visitor #1
A Christmas Visitor
Sometimes when things are at their worst, when you think life can't get any bleaker or colder, a single star pierces the sky- shedding its light like an unexpected blessing, a beacon of hope.
George Boyajian dreads the approach of yet another Christmas-the twelfth he and his wife will suffer through since losing their son John in the Gulf War. The awful news came on Christmas Eve. Since then the season has held no peace or joy.only heartache for those John left behind. And this year looks to be even worse, as their daughter faces a crisis that threatens to splinter the family still further.
Determined to lift some of the gloom from the season, George sets out to bring Christmas back. As his wife and daughter stand numbly by, he sends out cards, makes plans, gets the old lights and ornaments down from the attic. Then, heading into town on a mission to buy the most beautiful tree ever, he stops to pick up a quiet young man in need of a ride-a Gulf War veteran about the same age as John would now be. Drawn to the stranger, George impulsively invites him home for the holidays, risking the rest of the family's anger and dismay.
But what happens instead is some kind of miracle. The presence of this somehow-familiar soldier is like a spring thaw, making the house feel like a home again and allowing George and his loved ones to finally open their hearts to memories without sorrow. As the visitor listens, the Boyajians talk-for the first time-about the past. and about how much John meant to each of them. This holiday, a stranger's gift of love and hope will work the greatest magic of all, as a family in need finds their way back to each other and makes Christmas a blessing once more...
George Boyajian dreads the approach of yet another Christmas-the twelfth he and his wife will suffer through since losing their son John in the Gulf War. The awful news came on Christmas Eve. Since then the season has held no peace or joy.only heartache for those John left behind. And this year looks to be even worse, as their daughter faces a crisis that threatens to splinter the family still further.
Determined to lift some of the gloom from the season, George sets out to bring Christmas back. As his wife and daughter stand numbly by, he sends out cards, makes plans, gets the old lights and ornaments down from the attic. Then, heading into town on a mission to buy the most beautiful tree ever, he stops to pick up a quiet young man in need of a ride-a Gulf War veteran about the same age as John would now be. Drawn to the stranger, George impulsively invites him home for the holidays, risking the rest of the family's anger and dismay.
But what happens instead is some kind of miracle. The presence of this somehow-familiar soldier is like a spring thaw, making the house feel like a home again and allowing George and his loved ones to finally open their hearts to memories without sorrow. As the visitor listens, the Boyajians talk-for the first time-about the past. and about how much John meant to each of them. This holiday, a stranger's gift of love and hope will work the greatest magic of all, as a family in need finds their way back to each other and makes Christmas a blessing once more...
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
18 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
David Saperstein
31 books19 followersDavid Saperstein is the author of Red Devil - The Book of Satan the first book in The Evil on Earth series, as well as the novel Cocoon, a New York Times Bestseller and Academy Award-winning film. In addition to The Evil on Earth series, his novels include Metamorphosis: The Cocoon Story Continues and Butterfly: Tomorrow’s Children – parts II and III of the Cocoon Trilogy; Fatal Reunion; and he co-authored A Christmas Visitor (for which he also wrote the Hallmark TV film); A Christmas Passage; and A Christmas Gift.
A pioneering proponent of ebooks, in 1998 his novel Dark Again was the first full novel available via the Internet.
A pioneering proponent of ebooks, in 1998 his novel Dark Again was the first full novel available via the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 5, 2019
Rating: 3.0/5.0
The story of a family which suffers the loss of their son during the war. On Christmas Eve they know that they lost their son so they stop celebrating Christmas altogether because of that. After many years and when the father decides to celebrate Christmas again a visitor shows up!
The writing was good, the length of the story was appropriate for the number of events that were happening. I felt the characters were not as detailed as I have wished though. Somehow the story was predictable but still appropriate for its festival theme.
The story of a family which suffers the loss of their son during the war. On Christmas Eve they know that they lost their son so they stop celebrating Christmas altogether because of that. After many years and when the father decides to celebrate Christmas again a visitor shows up!
The writing was good, the length of the story was appropriate for the number of events that were happening. I felt the characters were not as detailed as I have wished though. Somehow the story was predictable but still appropriate for its festival theme.
December 24, 2024
I’m glad I finally pulled this book off the shelf to read it. While the story had its cheesy moments, it was heartwarming story about a family that had suffered a great loss. The characters were written well.
To all the veterans, thank you.
To all the veterans, thank you.
December 27, 2015
Such a heartwarming book to read for Christmas. I am so glad my aunt shared this book with me.
December 26, 2025
Is Mr Saperstein real? I listened to the audiobook and heard “virtual voice narration.” I never got over that. This book reminds me of the stories on Facebook that are very interesting but then the ends get buried in the ads and you are left annoyed.
I think this whole book seemed totally computer generated. I finished it hoping I was wrong and, in my opinion, it had a computer generated ending.
In other words—not for me.
I think this whole book seemed totally computer generated. I finished it hoping I was wrong and, in my opinion, it had a computer generated ending.
In other words—not for me.
August 6, 2018
A great story! very well written...is way different from the movie...I found myself doing a lot of comparison...and getting a little confused with the changes...but I love his style...will look for more by him!
January 2, 2021
What a beautiful story to read especially at Christmas time. It starts out full of heartache and pain, but then a mysterious visitor enters the story and a broken family's life. I will say you will need Kleenex handy as you read this wonderfully uplifting tale.
December 26, 2017
Sweet story but very predictable. I was very distracted by the serious lack of editing.
July 4, 2022
A heartwarming Christmas story about family that will surely melt your hearts out perfect to read on cold, winter holiday.
January 8, 2023
3.5 star. Only because I really enjoyed the ending.
Starts out slow and depressing. I kept putting the book down and picking up another. Reading this only a chapter at a time.
When you are Single and Home Alone for the Holidays feeling homesick or as they call it, seasonal affective disorder. You might want to pick up a Christmas Story to get you into the Holiday sprits.
It seems lately all these stories start out depressing and then the last 2-3 chapters energy and the sun finally lightens the mood of the story.
I hope soon I can find those Christmas books full of Spirit and Cheer to uplift those of us that need a little spark.
Starts out slow and depressing. I kept putting the book down and picking up another. Reading this only a chapter at a time.
When you are Single and Home Alone for the Holidays feeling homesick or as they call it, seasonal affective disorder. You might want to pick up a Christmas Story to get you into the Holiday sprits.
It seems lately all these stories start out depressing and then the last 2-3 chapters energy and the sun finally lightens the mood of the story.
I hope soon I can find those Christmas books full of Spirit and Cheer to uplift those of us that need a little spark.
December 27, 2023
A really heartfelt Christmas story of a family that stopped celebrating Christmas when they received news their son died in the Gulf War. Over a decade later, the dad, George, decides it’s time for a change. His wife is resistant; his daughter is battling a breast cancer diagnosis and is recently divorced. His young grandson awaits the magic of the season and is in awe of stories about this late uncle the hero.
As George is getting things together for a celebration he comes upon a stranger, Matthew, who also served and is about his son’s age. He welcomes him to celebrate Christmas Eve with his family and asks him to pretend he knew John when in the service. He brings the family back together and then mysteriously leaves. The Boyajian family receives Christmas miracles.
Also, a Hallmark movie!
As George is getting things together for a celebration he comes upon a stranger, Matthew, who also served and is about his son’s age. He welcomes him to celebrate Christmas Eve with his family and asks him to pretend he knew John when in the service. He brings the family back together and then mysteriously leaves. The Boyajian family receives Christmas miracles.
Also, a Hallmark movie!
November 23, 2015
what a heartwarming story for a tragic event.
they lose their son in the war and stop celebrating Christmas as they were notified on Christmas Eve. After years have gone by, the dad decides he wants to try doing Christmas again. a stranger shows up and they get a welcome surprise.
I would recommend this to everyone
they lose their son in the war and stop celebrating Christmas as they were notified on Christmas Eve. After years have gone by, the dad decides he wants to try doing Christmas again. a stranger shows up and they get a welcome surprise.
I would recommend this to everyone
September 4, 2015
I love this book. It is a great story! I've seen the Hallmark Christmas movie so many times and love it, too. Found this book at a yard sale and didn't think twice about making it mine to add to my book collection. I love Everything about Christmas....love, hope and peace!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews