The Christmas Bride

Legacy of Love #4

by Melanie Dobson

Christian and Susanna had never met when they were chosen by lot to marry in a Moravian community in Germany. But in 1754, they traveled together with a dozen other newly married couples to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to help establish a Moravian borough and share their faith with the surrounding Indian nations.
Susanna'’s heart warms toward her new husband even after she learns that he had wished to marry another woman. As war rages between the British and French Indians-—and the Moravians face a crisis that almost destroys their community—Christian must decide if he can forgive his past and love the bride that God has given him.
Only the hope found in the Christmas child can heal his faith and his family.
Legacy of Love is a series of historical romance novels based on the courageous people and significant events that wove together the rich tapestry of America's freedom and faith. The print version of The Christmas Bride is available online under its original title of Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christmas, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Writing fiction is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense.

Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids.

More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.

Reviews

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It always surprises me when I don’t read the "book jacket", then find out the story within is nothing as I presumed. Yep, this one was nothing like the title or the candy cane and holly-decorated book cover might suggest. I assumed it was a sweet romance about a couple falling in love and marrying on Christmas.

Hoooeee! Was I off!

This was a story of a missionary group of Moravians to Pennsylvania in the 1750s.

Susanna was to marry Christian Boehler, a husband decided for her by "lot". Christian had requested another woman to be his wife (Catherine, the daughter of royalty), but was refused by the leaders. The love of his life was to marry another man, (Elias, who in fact Catherine truly loved). Christian pined for Catherine and had believed marriage to her was God's will. Having to marry Susanna, whom he didn’t know nor love, was devastating.

Directly after the group wedding, the newlyweds and leaders left Europe for America where they would be missionaries to Indian tribes.

Susanna hoped she could be a loving help-meet to her husband, and that eventually he could learn to love her. But they were not together on the ship, nor when they got to America. After setting up a base, some of the men, including Christian, left for months to share the gospel with the Indians using a Native American believer as an interpreter. The women stayed behind with Indian women and the children. Even when the men got back they seldom saw their wives.

But God showed Susanna His grace. Her humbling growth as a woman of God among many was because of her focus; because her eyes were on Christ.

There was much more to the book beside family arrangements. Some wonderful faith filled interactions with American Indians brought a lasting change in one tribe, but there were also heartbreaking stories during travels.

Background:

The Moravians had a faith that was reminiscent of Shakers (except Shakers didn’t marry). Married Moravian couples did not live together. There were women's dorms (called choirs) and men’s dorms, and periodically the couples could meet for one hour in a chamber. Children were taken to another house or nursery, and raised by guardians instead of their mothers and fathers.

Even though the story is fictitious, the religion and practices were not. It still lives on today as a mission oriented faith of over 750,000 members in many nations preaching the gospel. I’m not sure how sound their doctrine is, but I didn’t find their tenets of faith to be objectionable in the book... just how their marriages played out. Those practices, by the way, ended in the 1760s, but the practice of marriage by lot continued until about 1818.

Fascinating story. For more on this topic see An article on the Moravian Church history

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. While there was definitely a romantic aspect to it, I felt like the themes of sacrifice, missionary work, and caring beyond one's romantic partner were more the focus. I especially loved learning about the Moravian Brethren, and was surprised to learn from further research that there is a Moravian congregation nearby to me!
I also appreciated that Susanna and others in the novel wrestled with the forgiveness they needed to give. Sometimes forgiveness does take that wrestle . . . to know what you should do, but for it to take time and working through the hurt with God to come to that place of peace.
4.5 stars

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine what it must have been like in 1754 for Susanna. A young woman in Germany who is part of the Moravian community. She has been told who to marry and then she is sent to America to live with her new husband, Christian. The story is not just about the couple and the hardships they had, but also about a town called Nazareth in Pennsylvania when wars included fights with Native Americans. This is a good story of life and a look at past history as well.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really neat to learn more about the Morivans/Brethren and their lifestyle especially during the early years of America. I love the way this author researches and adds so much history to her books. This book in particular felt a little disjointed in some parts, but overall I really enjoyed it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.5 stars.

This was a deeply insightful book with the kind of emotional tie-in that I always expect when I read one of Melanie's books. She does such an impeccable job with research and with communicating so many things between characters with few words spoken. I love that about her writing. My heart was broken a number of times for these characters. I found that part of the pull of the story, which kept me reading in anticipation of how things would work out.

One thing I love about Melanie's books is that her characters always have a consistent and strong "voice" that is grounded in their culture. This author doesn't have to agree with it to write it well. My heart hurt for those separated families and those children. They really believed they were doing the right thing. Plus that whole decision by "the lot" thing was intriguing and a bit heart-wrenching as well. The good thing is God used even man's foolishness to accomplish His will in those "iffy" cases.

The mission to the Native Americans captured my attention as well. I loved the characters' hearts for the lost. I felt like I was fully entrenched in their belief system and experienced their conflicts along with them. The whole way their society dealt with marriage was seriously flawed, but the author was true to the times. I can't imagine having to sneak away to be with my own husband or limiting our private time to one our per week in the room designated for that act. Oy, how embarrassing that would be to have people know why you were going in there.

I guess they took that sex for procreating "only" thing a bit too seriously, though the author never mentioned that in the book. I believe many religious societies held that view. I can't imagine... In short, this was a deep, moving, emotional story that dealt with a number of issues including forgiveness, true love, following God's will, and learning to be content wherever God has placed you. It must have been difficult to fear the very people you have come to share Christ's love with. The fact that they persevered anyway was truly inspiring, and no doubt rewarding for them as well. Great story!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let's start with two things: the 2021 cover and title do not reflect the story inside. This has almost nothing to do with Christmas, nor does the cover model reflect that this is about the Moravian's, sect of Christianity that believed in separating men and women, even married ones, so they could focus on their work.

Dobson is usually a solid writer and this book was no exception, at least when we are just talking about the writing. However, this book left me feeling a little disgusted and a little depressed.

There is a lot of focus on marital relations. I mean a lot, which is understandable in a way when you have married couples who nearly know each other living apart and only given brief times together. However, it just made the whole book awkward. Why couldn't we also have been given the reasons behind why the Moravians lived as they did? I would have loved to learn more about their unique culture and beliefs as well as their marriage practices.

There were a few chapters from Susanna's friend's perspective and her story was so depressing. I mean, it started out happy but it quickly became sad and depressing with a realistic but tragic end. It was a real downer for the whole book.

While an interesting glimpse into the Moravians and America at the beginning of the French and Indian War, I can't say I enjoyed the story and wouldn't recommend it to anyone except those who have a morbid fascination with the topics described.

The only positive thing about it was Christan's transformation from a sin he knew held him captive to forgiveness and victory in Christ. That was done well and I enjoyed it.

Content notes: The whole book is focused on a couple who has yet to consummate their marriage. There are several awkward scenes around this. Violence got pretty bad at the end when the Indian raids started. Probably the most disturbing thing is a group of missionaries is in a house the Indians set on fire. There is a scene from inside the burning house

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a serious historical tale set in early America, with a romance between married couples. A marriage of convenience goes from a meeting of strangers to friendship, respect, and then love finally after some major trials.

The background of the Brethren community was interesting, with their journey starting in Germany. A personal connection to the author's own family gave this an authentic feel; felt like I was reading a historical account. The violence and hardships they endured were not glossed over, but the hope of Christ and the message of the gospel kept it uplifting.
The way the colony functioned reminded me of the historical Amish stories by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Also the conflict between natives and European settlers during the French and Indian war was like Lori Benton's novels. If readers enjoy those authors' books, they may like this one as well. Fans of more serious historical Christian fiction tales might want to add it to their reading lists.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY: They were strangers when they married, but they both long for love. Christian and Susanna had never met when they were chosen by lot to marry in a Moravian community in Germany. But in 1755, they traveled with a dozen other newly married couples to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to help establish a Moravian borough and share their faith with the surrounding Indian nations. Susanna’s heart warms toward her new husband even after she learns that he had wished to marry another woman in Germany. As war rages between the British and French Indians and their young marriage faces hardship, Susanna wonders if Christian will ever return her love.

REVIEW: This particular LFY novel is fascinating because its focus is on the Moravian Community and its outreach to the Indians in the US during the mid 1700's and centers around the towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem Pennsylvania which still maintain Moravion roots to this day. I knew nothing about this particular German faith group and their beliefs and found them very different but interesting. Their focus to is serve God and spread the Gospel message of salvation but this leads to very different beliefs regarding living arrangements, lifestyle, marriage, parenting and God's decisions. If they are not sure of God's choices, their decisions were determined by the drawing of lots as done in the Old Testament.

The storyline was well done and this was definitely not one of the lighthearted LFY novels. It contained a great deal of historical detail intertwined with a storyline that highlighted the beliefs and feelings of Christian and Susanna as they lived out their Moravian beliefs. This is an authentic romance story that plays out during a time in history that was frought with war, Indian vs. White difficulties, as well as faith tested by trials.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "Was it wrong to question God, to ask why an all-powerful God allowed evil to trump His good? Never would she equate herself with God in her questioning, but relationships allowed for questions, for understanding."

"She knew God wanted the Indian nations to experience His mercy and forgiveness. It was the evil one who was bent on killing those who desired to share and experience this love. The enemy wanted revenge, not forgiveness. Death, not life. But the enemy didn't know that removing life from a body only freed the soul to live with Christ forever. That it was a beginning, not the end."

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of the religious group that this book is centered around, so I had to do a small bit of research to understand it. That being said, while I appreciated the historical accuracy, I hated the rest of the book!

Christian was completely selfish in his motivations for marrying Susanna, and I hated how much he abandoned her. How did he presume to love her when he knew almost nothing about her?!

Susanna was very sacrificing for her husband, and the reader could tell she cared for him quite a bit. I kept wondering about her illness though, and it wasn't well explained for me.

All in all, about the only thing I enjoyed was the historical aspect of the book, which saved it from a one star rating. Needless to say, I won't be keeping this book!

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in the unique Moravian Christian community in 18th century Pennsylvania, this book gently unfolds the mysteries of faith in the context of a redemptive love story. The Moravian way of life was so foreign to me at the start of the book, but by the end I was so completely immersed in the culture that I didn't really want to leave!

[Barbara Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Bride by Melanie Dobson is based on her own ancestors five generations back who were married by lot. That’s how things were done in the Moravian community, known then in the 1750s as the Unity of the Brethren under Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf. If a man wanted to marry, he went to the brethren with his request. They consulted the lot, which, for them, was a tube with three pieces of paper in it. One said “Yes,” one said “No,” and one was blank, indicating “Wait.” If the answer was yes, the woman still had the opportunity to accept or decline. Sometimes the couple knew each other beforehand and were in love: other times they did not know each other or didn’t really have a relationship, but the man needed to marry to participate in certain forms of ministry. Melanie writes in her afterword that many women were reluctant to marry in this way but accepted it as the will of God. Her own ancestors were married for fifty-eight years. The couple in her book were not based entirely on her ancestors, as she did not know much else about them, but she researched the Moravian customs at the time and represented them faithfully.

This story opens with the wedding of Susanna and Christian Boehler – and several couples in a group wedding. Susanna had seen Christian from afar and admired him, but she did not know him. She was excited about their upcoming ministry to Indians in Pennsylvania and willing to accept marriage as part of God’s will. She was understandably concerned about what her relationship with her husband would be like, but she was willing to be a good wife. Yet, at the end of the ceremony when Christian simply nodded to her and left the building, she was disappointed. What she didn’t know was that Christian had loved another, who was marrying someone else in the same ceremony.

Married couples in the Brethren did not live together at this time in Moravian history. The community was divided into “choirs” – not singers, but groups divided by gender and marital status. the single woman lived in one house, the married women in another, etc. Married couples had the opportunity for a one-hour private meeting once a week in a room for that purpose. Children live in the community nursery.

At first Christian and Susanna were married in name only and lived much as they has as singles. They’re awkward with each other, and Susanna is dismayed when she’s too ill to accompany Christian on his first mission. He’s gone for more than six months, but she finds ways to be useful. She befriends an Indian woman in the community, begins to learn the language, and enjoys visiting the children in the nursery.

Most of the Indians that the Moravians visit are not interested in their message. Some are friendly: others are openly hostile, not just due to a message about a different religion, but because of other issues with the French and British. The Moravians aren’t associated with the fighting and practices of the other white men, but it’s hard for the Indians to distinguish between them. But a few do believe – an individual or a handful here and there.

The rest of the book details the growing ministry to the Indians with its problems and blessings, Christian and Susanna’s getting to know each other amidst fits and starts, and a subplot with Susanna’s friend, Catherine, who comes from a more refined family and has trouble adjusting the the hardships of their life – and who, unbeknownst to Susanna at first, was the woman Christian originally loved.

Melanie’s afterword shares that the separation of families only lasted for about twenty years altogether. The purpose of that separation was so that people couple serve the Lord and community without the problems and distractions of family life. But, as Melanie shows, that separation strained family relationships, and some began to wonder at the wisdom of it.

I don’t know much about Zinzendorf. I heard bits and pieces from his life in a presentation on BBN Radio produced by Moody Bible Institute, but not enough to have a firm grasp of it. From what I understand, he preached and taught the gospel. But I would differ from him in many aspects, family living being a major one.

The physical side of the Boehler’s relationship is an issue in the story, because there was none at first. When they finally do come to love each other in that way, there’s just a bit more description leading up to it than I care for, but nothing explicit.

This book was originally published under the title Love Finds you in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Melanie graciously offered the Kindle version of it free under its new title to subscribers of her newsletter.

It was interesting to learn of this background of the Moravians, and I enjoyed the different plotlines. I especially enjoyed the way Christian and Susanna and Catherine grew in their faith through their circumstances.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book dealt with a religious group that settled in Bethlehem PA. Having lived a summer in Bethlehem, I was interested in reading the book since I like most things historical fiction. With that being said, I felt like the story could have been told just as well with half the words. There was a lot of text devoted to the less than ideal motivations for Christian to marry Susanna, and a lot of him obsessing about his past that made it sound for a moment like he did something worse than he had.

There were some moments where the plot moved forward that were interesting.

But then there was the part at the end where Catherine doesn't die, but is killed by the christian indian as an act of mercy, and then at the very end of the book the indian meets Christian and Susanna, and they phrase it in a way that condones euthanasia to me. I mean, I know the woman was trying to save Catherine from a fate worse than death, but it just doesn't really seem like it was sufficiently pertinent to the story to even include since it is such a morally confusing topic.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an interesting look at the Moravian colonies in Pennsylvania in the mid 1700's with insight into their culture such as casting lots to make decisions (including who to marry), the men and women (even married) living separately in "choirs" and the children also living separately from the parents, sometimes several hours apart. The main characters, Christian and Susanna, hadn't ever met but were chosen by lot to marry. Christian was pining for another woman, a friend of Susanna's who married someone else. There was a remarkable amount of time passing before they really got to know each other or even spoke more than a few words. They both felt called to be missionaries to the Indians. Though their dedication to the Lord was admirable, I'd have much difficulty living as they did. The book is well written with enough challenges throughout to keep the reader turning the pages.

[PAMpublish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this was a much different novel than I expected from the title and cover, fortunately I am an American History lover. As with past novels via this author, much is to be learned from this well-written and researched novel of the Moravian religious sect who immigrated to Pennsylvania for freedom of religion and to convert the Indians. Unfortunately, in the midst of the French and Indian War, this proved challenging with unfortunate consequences for this overly optimistic and zealous group. Based on truth and actuality, the main characters had to overcome both emotional background baggage to engage in an actual marriage. The setting is of personal interest since relatives live in this beautiful and familiar area of PA. Recommended for those who enjoy a reality-based historical novel to appreciate the lives of those who settled America.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up near Old Salem, so I was familiar with Moravians. But I really enjoyed learning more about them and their mission in the Colonies. The French and Indian War forced many of the settlers in the Colonies to also be soldiers, but the Moravians' desire for peace and neutrality caused them to face persecution from all sides. I really enjoyed this story about the faith and courage of my brothers and sisters in Christ!

[Grace M-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a very interesting book to learn of the Brethren having no clue about this culture on my own homeland. I love history in stories like this rather than straight forward facts. I don’t think I could ever live like this myself and would have been one fighting it. However, I’m so glad it worked for these people who worked so much for our Savior whose heart went out to the natives.

[Sheryll H Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story!

This is the riveting story of eighteenth century Moravian missionaries in colonial Pennsylvania. Melanie Dobson delves into the unusual religious customs of these devoted people, and explores their cultural norms and relationships. It is also a beautiful love story between husband and wife, and of the Savior towards all of His children. I love this book, and I am so glad that I read it!

[Gina Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different religious experience.

Liked this historical read, what I didn't like or understand was why the married couples in this religious communities had to live apart from one another, almost like a mens dorm and a women dorm, and scheduling intimate time together once a week for one hour? I had to laugh at that. I did like Susanna and Christian trying to work on their marriage, but it's hard to do when you have to make an appointment to see your spouse.

[Catherine Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I thought, "I should have cleared my calendar for this!" The story was that engaging. My fascination with Christian communes had led me to the author's wonderful books about the Amana Colonies (and to write The Shelter of Each Other). The Christmas Bride shows the struggles of two couples to adapt to life within the boundaries of their Moravian community in the Pennsylvania wilderness. Excellent!

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read because I knew nothing about the Moravians and was very curious about their community lifestyle. The story itself moved a little slowly, and I had some questions that were never really answered, but the historical setting and the main character kept me reading with interest.

[Robbie Bauldree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I had heard of this religion but did not know anything about it. Although this book is fiction, the author must have done a great deal of research on it. This book is also a love story of sorts. The couple start out on the wrong foot with each other but come to accept each other.

[Megan Besing · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I gave it a try

I had never read this author before, but I will be visiting more of her books! I also never heard of this group of people and learning about their way of life was fascinating. And of course the plot and growth of the relationship of the hero and heroine was page turning worthy.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Christian story, it was ok; as a love story (and the whole reason I picked up the book, being in the Love Finds You In... series), it was sorely lacking. I liked the premise and the idea; I guess I just wasn’t ready for it. Throw in Native Americans attacking, and, well, it just wasn’t my type of story.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. The characters felt real and it was obvious the author did a lot of research into the Moravian life and culture during the time period. I found Susanna to be likeable and I definitely felt for her plight of trying to figure out what to do about her husband. This book made me want to learn more about the Moravians and their history. A quick, great read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because it was written by one of my favorite Christian authors and I’ve appreciated everything Melanie Dobson has written. I thought it would be a holiday romance but it was so much more. It told the story of the Moravians who settled in Nazareth and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to share the Gospel with the Native American peoples.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

December is normally the month I devour Christmas books and love every minute, but this year I’ve struggled to settle down with one. The Christmas Bride was very different, a story of the Moravian culture and missionaries to the Indians in the 1700s. I enjoyed the story and really liked sense of sacrifice and simplicity with which they lived.

[Martha J. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of early Christian influences of early American history.

Interesting concept to ponder about the early Settlers who came to America to bring the “Good News”. First time to ever read a novel on this subject, yet great food for thought... could this be? Want to know more facts about this now!

[Joyce Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't know anything about the Moravian religion, and even though I live in Western PA, I didn't know they founded Nazareth, and also Bethlehem, PA. To read about the hardships they endured, and trying to convert the Indians, was very interesting. If you want to read something different, and also in the 1750s this book will enlighten you!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and learned so much. It is a story of a couple married by lot who learn to love each other. It takes place in the Moravian community in Pennsylvania in the 1750's. I did not know much about the Moravians and found their social structure fascinating. It was also a good reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel, no matter the cost.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our God is awesome

At first distracted and put off by the behavior and rules of their church, I continually found God working and answering as the main couple began their outreach to the Indians of North America. I witness the promises and power of God in the people who are called by His Name.