Christmas Jars Reunion

by Jason F. Wright

The New York Times bestseller Christmas Jars has sold nearly 500,000 copies. Thousands of people across the country have emailed the author at ChristmasJars.com about how the Christmas Jars tradition has touched their lives either by receiving a jar or by giving one. Hope Jensen s story continues in Christmas Jars Reunion. It s been two years since Hope was reunited with her biological mother on Christmas Eve at Chuck s Chicken n Biscuits. Hope has never felt more complete. She s writing full- time for a family magazine and, with the help of her mother, Marianne, leading the Christmas Jars Ministry out of Chuck s quirky restaurant. To top it off, she s dating a marketing executive in a comfortable long- distance relationship. Her life is right where she wants it to be a state of orga - nized chaos as another Christmas rolls around. Then her world changes forever over Thanks - giving weekend. The Maxwells hire a nephew to take over the family furniture restoration business. Someone that Hope can t stop thinking about. Then an out- of- town stranger shows up at the diner asking to help in the ministry a stranger whose motives are yet unclear. Before the sun sets on Christmas Day, two men will try to change Hope s life forever. In the process, Hope will be reminded of the immense power of a single jar, and the healing that sometimes comes only with forgiveness.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Inspirational, Holiday, Christian Fiction, Christian, Novels

197 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.

Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.

Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.

Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.

Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel to Christmas Jars, Hope loses sight of the true meaning of the Christmas Jar and tries to set a goal and make it into a commercial venture. It takes a change in the Maxwell family, a new friend, a new love, and the struggles of a young recipient of a previous Christmas Jar to return Hope's vision to the lesson of the Christmas Jar "One jar, one birth, one Savior."

Jason Wright really seemed to focus on the fact that sometimes well meaning, thoughtful projects can get out of hand, and the goodness that was meant is lost in the translation. God reminds us in the bible that acts done in privacy and anonymity are much more valued than ostentatious productions. The value of the Christmas Jar was the joy found in the one on one interaction between the giver and and receiver.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

'One jar. One birth. One Saviour.'
It's just as simple as this . . . remembering the 'why' we celebrate and give our gifts to each other, rather than getting caught up in finding the 'perfect' gift, or, as in Hope's case, giving away 1001 Christmas Jars in a single season.
I really liked how the characters I loved from 'Christmas Jars', as well as some new faces, were able to come together to remind Hope of the simple truth that the best way to minister to those around us is 'one by one'.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really cute! But I liked the first one more.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas read with gentle faith message.

The spirit of giving lives on at Chuck's Chicken and beyond!

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love this book. I liked the Christmas Jars much better - and maybe because it shared a great idea for helping others during the Christmas season. Like many projects, sometimes a good idea gets out of hand and this book presents that scenario. Instead of individuals saving and sharing their change they brought the jars to a central location for distribution - and kept tabs on how many jars they had. They had a lot of jars to distribute in one community! I kept thinking that in today's world someone surely would have robbed that restaurant with all those jars of money sitting around! The chapters jumped back and forth between different parts of the story and especially in the beginning was rather confusing - until I became better acquainted with the characters and their stories started to mesh. I found many things to be implausible. (ie. an injured man with no job and not much in the way of worldly goods affording to live in a motel for weeks . . . )

[Angela Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book Christmas Jars and loved it so much that I had to read the reunion one. In this book we go back to Chuck's Chicken n Biscuits with Hope and her goal of giving away 1001 Christmas Jars. I enjoyed reading more about Hope and her life's journey. In this book we also get to meet some new people. Queen who is the best little girl and she will pull at your heart strings. Al who is does not know it but his life will be changing soon. And Clark who is a good guy who does not know where he fits in. Not only is this book about Hope's daunting task of giving away so many jars but about how people's lives are changed. It was every bit as touching as the first book. Very enjoyable and quick to read.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuation of Christmas Jars. A tradition of filling a jar with spare change throughout the year and gifting it to someone anonymously has spread. Goals are set to spread the goodness and life-changing jar-giving further. While seeking to do a good thing, one loses sight of the deed and instead of finding joy becomes stressed over the jars. It is a lovely reminder to stay focused on the reason you began to do something kind. Beautiful wrap up and encouragement to take the idea to your own home, group or community.

Lovely!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skip this one and read the first one. This one just didn't hold together. I kept expecting to find out that Al was Hope's father and it felt like the author intended that but chickened out. That might have made for a more interesting book but the romance is where it really fell flat. It's just not a good book.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice continuation of the first book. Not quite as emotional, but still a touching story. Sometimes a good idea can get too carried away. The original idea of sharing Christmas Jars with those in need is the best way to spread joy of the holiday.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I believe I have read it previously, but it encouraged me to go out and to help others.

[Jinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was going to pick up Christmas Jars, the first book, but it turned out that my library didn't have it. They had this second installment instead. I was bummed but I went ahead and checked this out anyway. It didn't disappoint. It gave enough background of what I assumed happened in the first book to keep me up to date. A bit repetitive but I let it slide because the book as a whole was heartwarming and I'm a sucker for heartwarming stories! Although it wasn't awesome writing, the power of the message of the Christmas jars, making miracles, stood out and moved me.

The put your loose coins in a jar idea isn't new to me. Our family did one for our local Ronald McDonald House last year (collection over 3mos) as a service that our Primary (children organization of the LDS church) set up. I'm just sorry that we ended there. This book reminded me that I ought to take it up again and so we shall! We'll discuss as a family a time line and recipient. Yeay, I'm excited! Hence, if a book can inspire one to action then it's a pretty good book ..or the reader's a softy. ;)

Jinky is Reading

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed this off a shelf of "Christmas themed" books at the local library last week. Because it happens to be a sequel (unbeknownst to me when I picked it up), I felt a little lost at times in the story, but the gist of the book is a good one. People connected to Chuck's Chicken 'n Biscuits initiated, at some point, the "Christmas jars," which are a small gesture of goodwill shared with others, perhaps less fortunate, at Christmastime. THe idea is that people toss their loose, spare change into a jar throughout the year and then, on Christmas Eve, give it (preferably anonymously) to someone else who may need a boost. Promoting charitable acts is always welcome, but it's rather thin soup from a literary perspective. But--Merry Christmas, everyone, and don't be a Scrooge!

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to be the first one to give this book two stars, but I just wasn't feeling it. I really liked the first book and love the concept behind it, but I found the writing to be canned and the storyline predictable. I was really disappointed!

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first book. Started out okay, middle seemed like a jumble of random pieces and yet somehow the author brought it all back together at the end.

[Sverro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genuine geek good book that let's you know there is love, hope and goodness in the world.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love the concept of Christmas Jars! And how I love the author, Jason F. Wright, for making them so popular! I've been giving them for as long as I can remember, such a great feeling!

After watching the "Christmas Jars" movie for the third or fourth time, I wanted to read the book again and was rather astonished to find that I had the reunion version and had never read it. It was so fun and so inspirational and a continuation of the book/movie story. Each chapter begins with a quote from someone who has been fortunate to have received one of the surprise jars.

As I was reading, I had the thought: Why wait till Christmas to brighten someone's day? While the "regular" Christmas Jars hold money that has been collected through the year, there are other things that can fill each jar, like special treats, even little notes of appreciation. These could be gifted to those who need a pick-me-up at any time of the year. Some people deserve them while others need them!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Jason Wright - it will not be my last! I needed a light, easy, change of "season" book to read and came across this one. Afterwards I realized it is actually the second book in a series. It was slightly hard to relate to some of the characters not having read the first book, but still very enjoyable. The writing at times is a little too sweet and innocent, but again not enough to make me quit reading or put it down. Not to be a spoiler . . . but I might just have to try the written about tradition of a Christmas Jar. Looking forward to reading more of Wright's books.

[Karen J. Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Follow Up Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading the the First book, Christmas Jar, I was very curious about the Christmas Jar Reunion. Its a quick and easy read which had given me a true insight as to how a life can change as a result of this small act of kindness. I have started my Christmas Jar a few months ago and will continue to add change so that I to can have the experience of giving my jar away. I’ve purchased the book, Christmas Jar, and given a copy to eight of my girlfriends in hope they will start this tradition either on their own or as a family project. I guess we will see what happens!

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine sequel to The Christmas Jars. Personal miracles happen in the lives of those involved in helping others. These are short books and read quickly. They are feel good stories that we need more of in this wicked world we live in. If more people would think outside of themselves, stories like this would become commonplace. Yes, people can be that open, that kind, that considerate, that caring and that loving. As the author states, one jar represents one birth, one savior. Let us all reach out for the one.

[Natelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think reading the first novel in this series would have helped me jump into the story, but this one flowed well and kept me apprised of the history between the characters. Watching the characters progress and grow through the author's words kept the story real and interesting as they tried to reach a huge goal: 1001 Christmas jars by Christmas. This story offered a positive message during the holiday season.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow-up to the first book and I loved this story as well. It made me want to go and get me a jar to start my collection of coins so that I could give away a jar at Christmas time. I was surprised that I had never heard of this “movement” before. I will be looking for the third book so that I can read it also. These books are definitely feel good stories and I encourage you to read them and to look up the website!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book, but not as much as the first book Christmas Jars.
After reading other comments, I have to agree that the real meaning of
the Christmas Jars should be One Jar, One Birth, One Savior.
My take away from the Reunion book, was how we can let Christmas
become commercialized and we forget the importance of a simple gift,
not matter what the cost. I'm still glad I read the book and would recommend
it to others after reading the first Christmas Jars book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read The Christmas Jars, so I appreciated the interweaving of the story from that book into this one. I am not sure why this book word “reunion”in the title, unless it is because the main character, Hope, is reunited with an on-again, off-again boyfriend, Clark. For me, that was not what kept me reading. I enjoyed the minor character Al Allred and the change in him when he is given a Christmas jar by a special little girl named Queen.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Christmas Jar

This is a book that can touch each person that reads it and I do hope there are many that do read it and take it in, breathe the words in, feel the words and live the words. Many lessons were learned during this book, and in what a changed world this would be if each of us would open our hearts and take it all in, only one Christmas Jar.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was the continuing story of the Christmas Jars, which has added so much more meaning of giving in my life. It reminds you giving is about Christ giving to us. So, get ready to put youself to the side and make a step up to giving to others who are in need. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU, BUT ABOUT THE JARS!!

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel to the first one. It makes you realize that giving is something we should all focus on at this time of the year. Love the idea of starting a Christmas Jar to give to either a needy person or to an organization.

[BeverlyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Jars Reunion picks up the story where Christmas Jars left off. I felt the first book abruptly ended without answering all my questions. This book answered those questions. Awesome Christmas story! Loved it!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I inspirational Christmas story about love, forgiveness and hope.

"Am I living, working and playing with integrity? If not, what changes should I make to fulfill my destiny and find true happiness?"

"It's not about an army of jars. It's about one. One jar. One birth. One Savior."

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story, with a greater message. But a bit confusing to a working mom who couldn't keep the characters all straight, when she could only read a chapter or two at a time. I guess I got the important ones. Enjoy!

[MaryAnn Collura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was OK. Not nearly as good as the first book. I felt like there were some things left undone or things that were supposed to happen but the author just dropped them. Read the first book, it's great, but you won't miss out of anything is you skip this one.