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The Red Gloves #1
Gideon's Gift
One long-ago Christmas, Earl Gibson lost the two things most precious to him: his wife and daughter. Angry and heartbroken, he ended up living on the streets and abandoned any belief he'd once had in God.
Ten years later Big Earl meets Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who believes with all her heart that "Christmas means never having to ask God how much he loves us." Gideon is determined to reach this lonely and hurting man who hates Christmas--and he is just as determined to rebuff her.
It will take a miracle for Earl to come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. But if he can accept what Gideon wants to give him, he might find that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own.
In GIDEON'S GIFT, Karen Kingsbury reminds us that Christmas is still a time of miraculous possibilities if only we reach out to those around us
Ten years later Big Earl meets Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who believes with all her heart that "Christmas means never having to ask God how much he loves us." Gideon is determined to reach this lonely and hurting man who hates Christmas--and he is just as determined to rebuff her.
It will take a miracle for Earl to come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. But if he can accept what Gideon wants to give him, he might find that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own.
In GIDEON'S GIFT, Karen Kingsbury reminds us that Christmas is still a time of miraculous possibilities if only we reach out to those around us
148 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2002
449 people are currently reading
2981 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
208 books12k followersKaren Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
March 3, 2025
This short novella from author Karen Kingsbury is destined to become a Christmas classic. It is heartwarming and inspirational in its story of belief in miracles by a selfless young girl with leukemia, and a man living on the streets of Portland, Oregon, haunted by his memories. Very touching for those not yet so desensitized that sentimentality and goodness has become something to disdain, Gideon's Gift will hold a special place among Christmas stories for them once the final page has been turned.
Gideon Mercer is an eight year old girl with a gift for bringing out the best in those around her. She is selfless and kind. When she dreams of the perfect Christmas and prays with her father for some kind of special miracle this year, it may have to transpire soon; little Gideon is running out of time. But prayers can be answered, and a miracle will present itself in the form of Earl Badgett.
Earl has been living on the rainy streets of Portland so long he has lost touch with humanity; his only connection to the past is a pair of red gloves. Only at night when he puts them on does he recall happier times. What happened to Earl is heartbreaking, and very plausible in Kingsbury's hands, her gift for making stories like this of faith and hope on wonderful display.
When Gideon and Earl meet at the mission Gideon senses what that miracle could be. I will not reveal what transpires between Gideon and Earl but this novella opens upon the joyous occasion of a wedding and slowly reveals how faith and a Christmas miracle brought all the parties involved there. This is a sweet and heartfelt story of hope that will make you want to do good to others while we still have the time.
Short and touching, Gideon's Gift does not have to be read during the Christmas season to enjoy it. While its brief length and sentimental message does make it perfect for the busy holiday season, it is also nice for those who enjoy sentimental and heartwarming tales the year round. Highly recommended.
Gideon Mercer is an eight year old girl with a gift for bringing out the best in those around her. She is selfless and kind. When she dreams of the perfect Christmas and prays with her father for some kind of special miracle this year, it may have to transpire soon; little Gideon is running out of time. But prayers can be answered, and a miracle will present itself in the form of Earl Badgett.
Earl has been living on the rainy streets of Portland so long he has lost touch with humanity; his only connection to the past is a pair of red gloves. Only at night when he puts them on does he recall happier times. What happened to Earl is heartbreaking, and very plausible in Kingsbury's hands, her gift for making stories like this of faith and hope on wonderful display.
When Gideon and Earl meet at the mission Gideon senses what that miracle could be. I will not reveal what transpires between Gideon and Earl but this novella opens upon the joyous occasion of a wedding and slowly reveals how faith and a Christmas miracle brought all the parties involved there. This is a sweet and heartfelt story of hope that will make you want to do good to others while we still have the time.
Short and touching, Gideon's Gift does not have to be read during the Christmas season to enjoy it. While its brief length and sentimental message does make it perfect for the busy holiday season, it is also nice for those who enjoy sentimental and heartwarming tales the year round. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2022
An inspiring, uplifting story for the optimists and the movers in this world.
Who benefits by giving? What is a child's faith and how is it different from that of an adult? Is prayer powerful?
And what about homeless people? Are they all addicts, lazy and criminals? What is their story?
Do you just get angry when your kindness is not appreciated and then write that person off? Do you return unkindness and meanness with the same, or do you look beyond to the hurt and the heart of the real person beneath?
This is a story of a young girl with cancer and her faith, when she meets a man who has lost his family. This is a story of miracles.
Who benefits by giving? What is a child's faith and how is it different from that of an adult? Is prayer powerful?
And what about homeless people? Are they all addicts, lazy and criminals? What is their story?
Do you just get angry when your kindness is not appreciated and then write that person off? Do you return unkindness and meanness with the same, or do you look beyond to the hurt and the heart of the real person beneath?
This is a story of a young girl with cancer and her faith, when she meets a man who has lost his family. This is a story of miracles.
August 17, 2010
A very quick read. It's definitely a "feel good" type book. I shared it with my kids and they enjoyed hearing about the story. At the end of the book, it provided ideas for the "Red Glove Project" that you can share as a family or community.
August 4, 2018
A beautiful heartwarming tale. Keep the Kleenex handy.
June 29, 2018
A beautiful story filled with heartbreak, hope and redemption. I adored Gideon and my heart was aching for Earl.
“Miracles happen to those who believe.”
“Miracles happen to those who believe.”
October 15, 2024
Absolutely incredible faith filled novella about God's ability to reach us where we are with His love. There's some hard content. Grief, homeless and more (don't want to spoil it). The book follows a homeless man, Earl, and his interactions with a little girl named Gideon, who God uses to reach him in a deep place no one else has been able to. Heavy Christmas themes so if you're looking for an uplifting Christmas read, this is it. As usual with her writing, Karen Kingsbury pulled me in from the first couple of pages and I found myself reading this little novella in one sitting. What a beautiful story! Looking forward to reading the other books in this series at some point.
February 5, 2022
Oh my heart, the feels. I loved this and I didn't want to.
May 23, 2023
Beautiful, inspiring story!
November 16, 2013
This book gets 5 stars because it made me feel so good! I am glad it is the first story I read as the celebration of Christmas begins.It really shows that God is concerned about us all. Miracles happen as we love and serve others.
Loved the author's comments at the end. Her prayer is that the reader will believe in miracles this Christmas season. She went on to say,"Maybe for you that means trusting God in a dark time. Or maybe it means making a phone call and mending ties between you and someone you love. Maybe it's a new doll for your daughter or a fire truck for you son. Whatever your situation, please look for God's presence this holiday season."
I want to read the other books in this red glove series. I hope they are as uplifting as this one.
Loved the author's comments at the end. Her prayer is that the reader will believe in miracles this Christmas season. She went on to say,"Maybe for you that means trusting God in a dark time. Or maybe it means making a phone call and mending ties between you and someone you love. Maybe it's a new doll for your daughter or a fire truck for you son. Whatever your situation, please look for God's presence this holiday season."
I want to read the other books in this red glove series. I hope they are as uplifting as this one.
December 21, 2010
Gideo is a young girl with leukemia. Her one wish for this Christmas is for a miracle to happen.
I went into this book with a really bad attitude, ridiculing the names - Gideon for a girl and Tish, really? The book is predictable and I basically guessed the whole plot from the beginning and these are things that usually really bug me about books. However, I ended up falling in love with the simple beauty of the story. A sweet, short little read perfect for Christmas time.
I went into this book with a really bad attitude, ridiculing the names - Gideon for a girl and Tish, really? The book is predictable and I basically guessed the whole plot from the beginning and these are things that usually really bug me about books. However, I ended up falling in love with the simple beauty of the story. A sweet, short little read perfect for Christmas time.
December 11, 2020
A good simple wholesome Christmas story of Christmas miracles. Enjoyed the story of Gideon reaching to love the unlovable and in return receiving a greater gift than she could have imagined. Nicely written just like all Karen Kingsbury books
November 26, 2019
Perfect short story for the Christmas season!
December 2, 2019
This is such a heartwarming story. I would recommend this to anyone.
December 7, 2020
A cozy, cutesy Christmas read🥰
November 6, 2022
Phew! Have a box of tissues handy before you start reading because 'Gideon's Gift' is tear inducing. I still have a lump in my throat. It start's out in darkness and despair which is slowly vanquished through the simple faith of one little girl. And an act of kindness that has an unforeseen, far-reaching ripple effect that echos on for years to come.
The shiver-with-delight kind of read that brings the heart of Christmas to the forefront. This short little novella packs an emotional wallop. Gentle and heart-stirring and so very, very hopeful.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
The shiver-with-delight kind of read that brings the heart of Christmas to the forefront. This short little novella packs an emotional wallop. Gentle and heart-stirring and so very, very hopeful.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
December 14, 2023
This was a really fast read. It was a simple but sweet story about believing in Christmas miracles. I teared up several times. Great read if you’re lacking in Christmas spirit this time of year ❤️
December 31, 2013
I dont believe in miracles. But somehow, little Gideon taught me that miracles do happen in unlikely ways. I have always been cynical about everything, but Gideon made me realize that a little bit of faith wouldn't really hurt. Plus, I read this in one sitting. And I also thought at first that Gideon was a boy. Turns out I was wrong. At first I thought this would just be another ordinary Christmas tale, but as I read and pondered on the lessons behind each magical chapter, I thought that the book is more than what it looks like, and that it gave hope and joy to my ice-cold heart. Miracles certainly happen to those who believe, and its a wonderful thing that I've read this little story just before the year ends. Very timely indeed.
December 17, 2009
Picked this one because I'm in the mood for Christmas stories and this was a good short one. It was a tearjerker, of course, can you have a Christmas story that's not? Good story about kindness, hope, and believing in miracles.
December 29, 2010
Powerful little book! Wonderful story to read during the holidays.......and what an important message!
If we all had the love, determination, and character of the little girl in this story.......We could change the world!
If we all had the love, determination, and character of the little girl in this story.......We could change the world!
September 10, 2015
Another feel good story by Karen Kingsbury. Short, touching and moving.
June 4, 2018
Earl Gibson lost his wife and daughter. Angry, he lives on the street.
Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient believes in a Christmas miracle.
Gideon and Earl meet.
I have yet to read a Kingsbury book that I didn't shed tears over. This one is no exception.
It brought back memories for me. Several years ago our oldest daughter, then twelve, was hospitalized over Christmas. Since it was in a hospital several hours from our home, my wife and I stayed there. We had to take turns staying at the hospital. On Christmas Eve it was my turn to stay at the motel. So lonely a place. I arrived at the hospital the next morning to find my wife and daughter still asleep in the midst of many Christmas presents. We never found out who filled the room with gifts but it made the ordeal so much better.
I cried as I read Gideon's Gift, especially the incredible ending.
Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient believes in a Christmas miracle.
Gideon and Earl meet.
I have yet to read a Kingsbury book that I didn't shed tears over. This one is no exception.
It brought back memories for me. Several years ago our oldest daughter, then twelve, was hospitalized over Christmas. Since it was in a hospital several hours from our home, my wife and I stayed there. We had to take turns staying at the hospital. On Christmas Eve it was my turn to stay at the motel. So lonely a place. I arrived at the hospital the next morning to find my wife and daughter still asleep in the midst of many Christmas presents. We never found out who filled the room with gifts but it made the ordeal so much better.
I cried as I read Gideon's Gift, especially the incredible ending.
November 8, 2017
And once again, Karen succeeded in making my heart find a miracle. And this time, it's a beautiful and heartwarming Christmas miracle.
November 29, 2018
An amazing story of love and triumph over the obstacles life throws at us.
December 19, 2019
Get the tissues ready.
A quick read, a good, heartwarming, sweet read.
A quick read, a good, heartwarming, sweet read.
December 21, 2019
Heartwarming Christmas story.
November 9, 2020
Absolutely outstanding. Loved every bit of this wonderful Written book. A must read.
November 15, 2020
A lovely novella.
December 3, 2020
Quick read. Heartwarming story
December 15, 2022
I have been blessed by the stories in this series. God's Miracles are around us everyday...
December 19, 2023
This was such a bittersweet,heartwarming read! I read it in one sitting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews