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Fellowship of Light series
Finding Blessing
The snowflakes swirled in mesmerizing sequence, and the wind howled as it pressed against the side of the vehicle. Six members of the Hall and Matthews families sat in tense silence within. If only they could reach their destination safely!
Other winds than the present snow-laden blast had blown contrary to their plans during the week-and-a-half before Christmas. As the young friends organized a performance of “Good King Wenceslas,” difficulties swirled around them like the eddying winds of the snowstorm or the “cold wind’s wild lament” which had assailed the good king and his faithful page.
And when catastrophe threatened to bring all their plans crashing down, and a change of perspective gave them a new idea of the important things in life, they were left with a choice. Could they choose to follow in the steps of the noble king, or would the real lesson behind the story of Wenceslas be lost?
Other winds than the present snow-laden blast had blown contrary to their plans during the week-and-a-half before Christmas. As the young friends organized a performance of “Good King Wenceslas,” difficulties swirled around them like the eddying winds of the snowstorm or the “cold wind’s wild lament” which had assailed the good king and his faithful page.
And when catastrophe threatened to bring all their plans crashing down, and a change of perspective gave them a new idea of the important things in life, they were left with a choice. Could they choose to follow in the steps of the noble king, or would the real lesson behind the story of Wenceslas be lost?
167 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2021
9 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Burden
14 books26 followersChelsea Burden is a homeschool graduate, a first-generation Anabaptist, and a passionate word-lover who enjoys dabbling in etymology (not entomology!) and routinely adds bona fide words to spellcheck!
She loves books, people, and Jesus—and a lot of other things too, including chickadees, hymns, snowflakes, and having a good time with friends. She lives in Canada and spends her days writing and doing whatever else comes to hand in her three-generational home.
She appreciates hearing from readers, whether through reviews, on the Sheep Among Wolves blog (www.sawpublishing.com) or by email (chelsea@sawpublishing.com).
She loves books, people, and Jesus—and a lot of other things too, including chickadees, hymns, snowflakes, and having a good time with friends. She lives in Canada and spends her days writing and doing whatever else comes to hand in her three-generational home.
She appreciates hearing from readers, whether through reviews, on the Sheep Among Wolves blog (www.sawpublishing.com) or by email (chelsea@sawpublishing.com).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 7, 2022
Chelsea Burden has such a talent for crafting beautiful and deep stories. They're the kind that leave me thinking and pondering the rich message after finishing the last page. This novella is no different. Without spoiling much, the plot twist was amazing. Good to see the characters wrestle through decisions and to understand the concept of sacrifice and blessing. The Christmas spirit and Good King Wenceslas were beautiful tie-ins. I loove the ending. I just adore all the characters. This is an amazing Christmas story and I'm so glad I got to see more of these characters from this series.
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review, but I was not required to write a positive one. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review, but I was not required to write a positive one. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 30, 2021
amazing Christmas story! Must read.
November 13, 2021
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. Oh, what an absolutely amazing Christmas story!! Definitely one of my top favourite books ❤️
This little novella is set near North Bay, Ontario, Canada (yay for Canadian books!) and although it's book 1.5 in the Fellowship of Light Series (set during the winter chronicled in book 1) it can totally be read as a standalone. While A Desperate Experiment & By This Shall They Know are much more about the Halls & Matthewses getting into their new church, this story is a simple chronicle of young Christians learning to follow Christ. Of that more later.
I loved the characters in BTSTK and I loved them even more here. Impulsive Sidney, careful Stanley, beauty-loving Margaret, sharp Alex, and sweet Sadie are a wonderful group. Mr. & Mrs. Matthews were as inspiring as ever, and the younger Matthews children featured more than in the other books, and were deliciously fun and real. Mysie and her grandfather make a lovely cameo, and a sweet new character is introduced.
The plot of this story was excellently nailed. Wanting to make this Christmas extra special, the children set about producing a play of Good King Wenceslaus. The lessons learned as they strive to do this, and the final climax where they have to decide whether to chose their own way of serving God or the way He actually wants them to work--ah, it was all so excellent! I couldn't even list all the beautiful reminders held in this story. In her own sweet, beautiful, old-fashioned style, Chelsea Burden beautifully weaves in the lessons of the carol and drives them in again and again in so many ways. I was left breathless by this magnificent work of art.
Again, a marvellous Christmas story which I recommend to everyone and plan to reread often.
A Favourite Quote: “I love the idea of finding reward, happiness, and fulfillment in helping and blessing others! It’s the essence of our calling as Christians. Following in the footsteps of our King the way the page did in his king’s. It’s like that verse in Hebrews about Jesus enduring the cross ‘for the joy set before him.’ It wasn’t a joy that comes without suffering, but one that comes through suffering—through sacrificing for someone else—blessing and serving them and receiving that all-fulfilling joy in return!
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: ...they all fell silent, their eyes tracing the frosty majesty of the scene. It really was a beautiful day. The sky was intensely blue with that winter blue that is indescribable to anyone who has never seen it. The air was fresh, crisp, and intangibly alive amidst the deep, glorious stillness of a winter morning.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Do you know what our bedroom looks like right now?” he asked cautiously, looking decidedly as if he thought this impossible.
“Well, I haven’t been up there recently,” his mother replied with the calmness of ignorance. “But I know what it generally looks like.”
There was a silence which seemed to say that what it generally looked like might not be a safe gauge for what it looked like today.
“You—might want to see it now,” Sidney suggested in a comically ominous tone. “You have no idea how much mess the little boys make!”
“I know you well enough to guess that you aren’t always innocent either, Mr. Sidney,” his mother said with a teasing laugh. “But I’m used to the room being messy. How bad can it be?”
“Pretty awful,” muttered Stanley, and Margaret vaguely observed that yesterday she had experienced difficulties both reaching and opening the drawers to put away socks.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
This little novella is set near North Bay, Ontario, Canada (yay for Canadian books!) and although it's book 1.5 in the Fellowship of Light Series (set during the winter chronicled in book 1) it can totally be read as a standalone. While A Desperate Experiment & By This Shall They Know are much more about the Halls & Matthewses getting into their new church, this story is a simple chronicle of young Christians learning to follow Christ. Of that more later.
I loved the characters in BTSTK and I loved them even more here. Impulsive Sidney, careful Stanley, beauty-loving Margaret, sharp Alex, and sweet Sadie are a wonderful group. Mr. & Mrs. Matthews were as inspiring as ever, and the younger Matthews children featured more than in the other books, and were deliciously fun and real. Mysie and her grandfather make a lovely cameo, and a sweet new character is introduced.
The plot of this story was excellently nailed. Wanting to make this Christmas extra special, the children set about producing a play of Good King Wenceslaus. The lessons learned as they strive to do this, and the final climax where they have to decide whether to chose their own way of serving God or the way He actually wants them to work--ah, it was all so excellent! I couldn't even list all the beautiful reminders held in this story. In her own sweet, beautiful, old-fashioned style, Chelsea Burden beautifully weaves in the lessons of the carol and drives them in again and again in so many ways. I was left breathless by this magnificent work of art.
Again, a marvellous Christmas story which I recommend to everyone and plan to reread often.
A Favourite Quote: “I love the idea of finding reward, happiness, and fulfillment in helping and blessing others! It’s the essence of our calling as Christians. Following in the footsteps of our King the way the page did in his king’s. It’s like that verse in Hebrews about Jesus enduring the cross ‘for the joy set before him.’ It wasn’t a joy that comes without suffering, but one that comes through suffering—through sacrificing for someone else—blessing and serving them and receiving that all-fulfilling joy in return!
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: ...they all fell silent, their eyes tracing the frosty majesty of the scene. It really was a beautiful day. The sky was intensely blue with that winter blue that is indescribable to anyone who has never seen it. The air was fresh, crisp, and intangibly alive amidst the deep, glorious stillness of a winter morning.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Do you know what our bedroom looks like right now?” he asked cautiously, looking decidedly as if he thought this impossible.
“Well, I haven’t been up there recently,” his mother replied with the calmness of ignorance. “But I know what it generally looks like.”
There was a silence which seemed to say that what it generally looked like might not be a safe gauge for what it looked like today.
“You—might want to see it now,” Sidney suggested in a comically ominous tone. “You have no idea how much mess the little boys make!”
“I know you well enough to guess that you aren’t always innocent either, Mr. Sidney,” his mother said with a teasing laugh. “But I’m used to the room being messy. How bad can it be?”
“Pretty awful,” muttered Stanley, and Margaret vaguely observed that yesterday she had experienced difficulties both reaching and opening the drawers to put away socks.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews