Miracle of Saint Nicholas

by Gloria Whelan, Judith Brown (Illustrator)

It was the day before Christmas in a small Russian village. Alexi's babushka was telling him what Christmas was like when she was a girl--before the soldiers came. "Our church was as crowded as a pod full of peas. Candles made the church as bright as the sunniest day. Watching over us was the blessed icon of St. Nicholas." Alexi had many questions, including, "Why can't we celebrate Christmas tomorrow in St. Nicholas?" Babushka sadly replied that it would take a miracle after sixty years. Well, Alexi had heard enough. If there truly was such a thing as a miracle, why couldn't it happen here? And so unfolds a story that poignantly reveals how, though quiet and hidden, faith and hope cannot be suppressed--by soldiers or by time.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Religion, Christian, Russia

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Fruitlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on This Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story that takes place in Russia about a little boy and an old church building.

Ages: 5 - 9

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *love* this book! This one plus The Miraculous Child are my favorite Nativity (Christmas) books to read. I cry when I read this one as well even though I've read it numerous times. I still make my children sit and listen to me read it while we drink cocoa even though they are older now.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking through our old children's Christmas books to read one more time before giving them to my daughters for the grandchildren and was shocked that I had never reviewed this one! It's one of my all-time favorites!

A little Russian boy, Alexi, asks some questions about his forlorn church, empty for 60 years. When Alexi discovers the front door unlocked, he decides to test his babushka's definition of a miracle, "A miracle happens when God enters your dream. But first you must have the dream." Alexi's dream is to celebrate Christmas in church as his babushka used to do when she was a girl.

First, he must clean the sacred space, sweep the dust, brush away cobwebs, get rid of bird nests and chase away mice. As there is nothing secret in his village, soon others come to see what is happening, a carpenter, storekeeper, farmer, teacher and the shoemaker, along with his mother, father, sister and babushka. One after another they return to their homes with a big smile and a little secret.

The shoemaker is one of the biggest surprises, but there is another. The little village used to have a blessed icon of St. Nicholas which was 'lost'. Along the lines of The Story of Stone Soup, where everyone is needed and they each contribute something to making the celebration happen, with the difference being that in this case, there was no trickery involved. They gave from full hearts, joyous to again be able to worship God openly after so many years of oppression.

The wintery illustrations go beautifully with the text and are a gentle reminder to treasure our precious freedom to worship and realize how fragile it is.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Alexi wonders why the Church has been closed for so many years, and what he can do about it.

Why I Read This: RAR

Review: This book is beautiful. It's one of those books that I will read again and again because of it's phenomenal writing, illustrations, and message. A must read for Christmas.

[DúviAurvandil Ericsson e Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wonderful book, but written from such an endemic Russian perspective that it is hard to universally understand it. “We love our icon of St Nicholas more than our own lives” doesn’t translate well to non-Russians. But besides that, it is a wonderful tale of pious Russians reclaiming their abandoned church after communism fell in Russia. There is love, devotion, and joy when the people are able to worship again without fear of the socialist gulag. A miracle of providence.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real sleeper hit with me, a surprising hidden gem that I was not expecting. This beautiful story of a small Russian community explores what happens not only when people have faith, but when that faith is forced underground by evil. Despite this backdrop to the story, it was a beautiful, easy-to read, and deeply touching story that I think children would enjoy.

[Greg Bittner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of the rebirth of a Russian church in a small town on Christmas.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sixty years ago Russian soldiers came to Alexi's village and closed the church. Alexi's babushka remembers that day and tells him about it. Since the soldiers are now gone, and times have changed, Alexi wonders why the church is not reopened for Christmas. This heartwarming story illuminates Russian Orthodox worship traditions. Readers will also be encouraged to learn more about the oppression which closed the church.
Tie-in with The Real Story of Saint Nicholas by Stiegemeyer.
Use in Christmas Around the World studies.
Use in social studies units about freedoms--especially freedom of religion.

[Angie Libert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brought to our Christmas conversations the question of what would it be like if we did not have the freedom to worship where we want to.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good picture book set in Russia after the Soviet Union. Lovely pictures, attention to detail, a story that made tears spring to my eyes.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. It makes a great St. Nicholas Day gift or Christmas gift. I don't remember when we bought it or for how long we've been reading it, but it's a family favorite.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about hope and the importance of preserving tradition.

[Kyra Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving tale of the secrets kept by a small village for many years.