Christmas in Harmony

Harmony #2.5

by Philip Gulley

Philip Gulley takes us to Harmony, Indiana, at Christmastime as inspiration strikes the inimitable Dale Hinshaw. Always looking for a way to increase the church's profit margins, Hinshaw brainstorms a progressive nativity scene that will involve the whole town, complete with a map like those for the Hollywood stars. Neither Pastor Sam Gardner nor the other members of the Harmony Friends meeting express any enthusiasm for this idea, but Dale is unstoppable. Meanwhile, Pastor Sam has his own concerns: he's having his annual argument with his wife, and he's worried that the four-slotted toaster he bought for her may be too lavish a gift.

Amidst the bustle of the season, the citizens of Harmony experience the simple joys and sometime loneliness that often go unseen. Sam comes to the realization that Dale, in his own misguided way, is only trying to draw meaning from the eternal story of Christmas. "In this unsettled world, it is good to have this steadiness -- the Christmas Eve service, the peal of the bell. . . .There is a holiness to memory, a sense of God's presence in these mangers of the mind. Which might explain why it is that the occasions that change the least are often the very occasions that change us the most."

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Humor, Holiday, Book Club

96 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.

He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.

Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.

Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say that what makes humorous stories funny is the grain of truth inside. This Christmas story about the year the Harmony Friends Church decided to have a progressive Nativity scene hits the high points and low points we find in the holiday season. What a great reminder of what really matters at Christmas. Reminiscent of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"-- curl up in your favorite chair with a cup of hot chocolate and lose yourself in Harmony, Indiana.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series set in Harmony, Indiana, and featuring Pastor Sam Gardner, his family and his Quaker congregation at Harmony Friends Meeting.

In this installment, the board of elders has taken Dale Hinshaw’s suggestion (demand?) to skip the Christmas Eve service in favor of a “progressive Nativity Scene.” Well, it started as just a live Nativity scene, but he realized it was too big to house in one location (the local park being unavailable for a religious display). So Dale has built a manger in his yard, with the animals housed at Sam’s house, the Holy Family at Asa Peacock’s farm, the Wise Men at Bea’s home, and ending at Fern’s house where the Friendly Women would sell hot chocolate and cookies.

With Dale in charge, things are bound to go wrong, and Sam will be left trying to clean up the mess – and I’m not just talking about the pigs in his garage.

But, regardless, Sam will find the meaning in Christmas, and he will be reminded of the joys of the season, and the reason we celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

It’s a charming, quick read, full of humor and tenderness. Perfect for this holiday season.

P.S. I know this is a re-read for me, but I have no idea when I first read it. Perhaps a year or so after it was first published.

[Jessica Mixell · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was funny, I just wish it had more to it.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Told from the pov of a local pastor.

A church is putting on a progressive nativity scene at Christmas.

Filled with outlandish characters and unruly animals.

[Terri Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible theology, but amusing.

[J. Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Philip Gully book about his fictional town of Harmony is always a treat for the reader. The book is told from the standpoint of the town's mild mannered Friends' Church pastor. This pastor may be of gentle temperament, but he has a sharp and delightfully Quaker way of getting to the truth about people--including himself--without being judgmental. The book covers changes one of the church leaders wants to make for the annual Christmas festivities. Not to spoil the story for you, but those changes won't turn into a tradition.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, filled with some hyperbolic characters in a small town church around Christmas time - I could see the craziness happening. Pretty good read overall.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick read with a good message and a lot of laughs. A nice Christmas read.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems to me, that as I read the books of Philip Gulley -- the voice of Garrison Keillor is speaking in my mind. Gulley has a remarkable way of telling about the life in a rural community, the intricacies of a small church, and the unique people that make up both. His adventures as the pastor of a Friends church strike home to so many that serve in similar situations. His books are a joy to read, and I am ready to start the next one -- with Sam, Dale, Fern, and all the rest. If you can identify with a rural community, or a small church, or you just like people -- do yourself a favor, and read at least one volume in the "Harmony" series.

[Olivermagnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to read this time of year. As Pastor Sam Gardner reminiscences about Christmases growing up in the small town of Harmony, we get insight into the current changes his congregation are planning this year. Dale Hinshaw, wants to have a progressive Nativity scene instead of the usual Christmas celebration. This book is incredibly funny, especially when we find out how this Nativity scene affects the different people living in Harmony, including the Pastor. I thinks it's been my favorite Christmas story in 2015.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. I expected an enjoyable, meaningful Christmas story. this was very frustrating to read because the one character, Dale, was such a butthead! And no one would put a stop to his antics! There was such promise in the storyline too. It was about a congregation who was trying out a progressive nativity scene with live animals. You would go from house to house to view each part.

[Deb Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I cried and laughed out loud as I read each page. I could not put it down! It is the 'Mayberry' of literature, although from the perspective of a minister, rather than a sheriff. The idiosyncrasies of the characters are hilarious. I cannot wait to read all of the other books in this series.

[NancyInWI · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read though I don't remember reading it 21 years ago. Still 5 stars. Lots of frivolity and lots of silliness and lots of laughs, but the best part is the last 2 pages. I don't cry at the end of very many books, but this book combined with an unusually strong bout of melancholia got me.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok Christmas read. Some zany local characters keep it a little interesting. Good example of how Christmas can get out of control and the message lost. It doesn't the heart and enlightenment of a Christmas Box.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book, filled with humor and wisdom and perfect for reading by the fireplace during the holiday season. Plus, it gently reminds us to be patient with those who can be a bit annoying during the holiday.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again this was another book that was an okay story, but it was nothing special in my opinion. The mc doesn't want to take responsibilities for things despite being in charge of the local church. He doesn't want to deal with things at home much either.
It was just meh again for me sadly.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best so far of a good series -- both wry and heart-warming. Reminds me a lot of Jan Karon's Mitford.

[Trace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I laughed at this one!! So funny and yet to me, it is such a charming (if not slightly hyperbolized) picture of life within a small town church community.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well.......this was horrible but it wasn't good either. It didn't feel Christmasy and I'm glad it's over. Sorry Chris for making you read this with me. Every book can't be awesome I guess.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, finally it's Christmas time, not only here, but at Harmony too! This is a short book in the series, this time we are spending Christmas with Pastor Sam Gardner and the eccentrics who make up his congregation. The always annoying church elder Dale Hinshaw- and why is he constantly an elder without a break anyway? - has another one of his schemes going, this time it is a progressive nativity scene on Christmas Eve. This is guaranteed to convert the heathen while making a tidy profit for the church. Here's a little bit of what is going on:

Ten feet above the manger, tied in a tree, was a mannequin I recognized from Kivett's five and Dime, garbed in a flannel shirt and blue jeans. I pulled over for a closer look. Dale climbed down from the tree.

"What's Ned Kivett's mannequin doing up in the tree?" I asked.

"That's the angel of the Lord," he explained.

"Oh, I see. I always thought angels of the Lord had wings and wore white robes."

"Yeah, well, Ned said I could borrow the mannequin so long as I didn't change it clothes."

I peered closer at the angel of the Lord. There was a sign I hadn't noticed at first, tied to a branch beside the angel. "All Flannel Shirts Now 10% Off During the Christmas Season."

"I'm glad you stopped by, Sam. I need someone to help me test the sound system."

"Tell me again why it is we need a sound system?"

"For the commercials for Clevis Nagle. I talked him into donating half the cost toward renting the sound system."

"Will we be doing anything else with the sound system? Perhaps playing music or Scripture readings?

"Nope, just the commercials for the movie theater," Dale said. "That was part of the deal if Clevis paid half of it."

I thought about that for a moment.

"Now, Dale, I might be mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that if Clevis only paid half, and his commercials are the only thing we're using the sound system for, then we're paying Clevis money so we can advertise for him."

"Well, I suppose if you wanna be pessimistic, you can look at it that way. But he didn't have to pay any of it at all. Then we wouldna even had a sound system. This way, we have the only Nativity scene in town with a sound system." He beamed at the thought of it.

It had been a long day, and I was tired. Plus, the goose was thrashing around in the trunk of my car, so I let the matter drop.

I'm not sure how many years you could go to church with Dale and stay sane. He even wants to raise a Quaker militia just in case some wacko terrorist tries to infiltrate their progressive Nativity scene. He gets the ushers to meet at Asa Peacock's farm that Tuesday for target practice. And so the progressive Nativity is all set, the animals in Sam's yard, the wise men in Bea's yard, the shepherds at Fern's and the Holy Family at Asa's. And the Quaker militia spread out to stop Nativity terrorists I guess. How it all works out I will ask you to read for yourself. If I ever happen to visit Harmony I am staying far away from Dale.

[Dorothy Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Porch Tales, I decided to read one of Gulley’s fiction books: Christmas in Harmony. This story takes place in Harmony, Indiana, where Sam Gardner is pastor of the local Quaker church. This story, too, is laugh out loud funny. Dale Hinshaw, a member of the church, has some oddball ideas which he is glad to share. He decides the church should have an outdoor nativity scene for Christmas instead of the traditional Christmas Eve service held at 11:30 PM, ending at precisely midnight so the parishioners can go to the church basement for hot chocolate and sugar cookies in the shape of angels, fresh from the oven.

As he spends more time thinking about the live outdoor nativity scene, Dale decides it should be a progressive scene—somewhat like a progressive dinner with parts of the scene in different church members’ yards.

As readers can imagine, the plans for the live, progressive nativity scene continue to grow and become more and more controversial.

Anyone who would like stories that will evoke laughter should read Philip Gulley. In addition to his essays, he has a series of books all set in Harmony, Indiana. Readers will get to know the folks in the Quaker church and the town.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't look at the warm and lovely cover of this Christmas novella and get the notion that it must just be a sweet, sweet, sweet little holiday tale.

Not unlike other books in the Harmony series, this one is ironic. A tad irreverent in a spot or two (but not vulgar). Downright hilarious. And it has a poignant thread running through it that, doggone it, left me with a bona fide tear in my eye.

Now, also like one other book in the series so far, Sam's first-person narration is fine for himself, but it doesn't really make sense when he starts narrating about other people and somehow knows their thoughts. There's also a bit of trouble with verb tenses, when the narration of one event or another will switch from present to past tense or vise versa.

Nevertheless, I found it to be such a satisfying read, not limited to the warm sentiments reflected in the lovely cover but altogether warm (and hilarious!) and lovely just the same.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet novella will put just the right touch on your Christmas season. Author Phillip Gulley returns his readers to the fictional town of Harmony to join the citizens celebrating Christmas. Even if this is not a return visit to Harmony, readers can quickly jump into the nostalgic small town feel. The narrator is a Quaker pastor, and he infuses his tales and reminiscences with both humor and gentle inspiration. Probably the most interesting (stunning?) idea that his congregation tries is a progressive Nativity scene, kind of like a progressive dinner but harder to wrap your mind around! You really should read this novella to find out how parishioner Dale Hinshaw’s money making Nativity scene idea pans out. What a great start to the Christmas season!

[Becca Rame · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was such a disappointment.

* No point to the plot.
* Characters were very unpleasant. They were all small minded religious people who give a poor representation to Christianity/Faith and what it's actually supposed to be.
* The main character takes no responsibility for the Church he is in charge of. Instead he's just miserable and sad and seems to hate and regret being a Pastor.
* The sarcastic humor was funny at times but got redundant pretty quick.
* Themes of loneliness were VERY briefly introduced but never explored deeper. Which was frustrating to me
* This book wasn't plot driven OR character driven. Back to my first point, it was literally pointless.

This book had potential, but it was wasted. Just very disappointing.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is another delightful addition to the Harmony books by Philip Gulley. Gulley, himself a Quaker minister, writes of a fictional Quaker (Friends) congregation in the small town of Harmony. This story focuses on the Friends congregation unconventional Christmas nativity that replaces the traditional Christmas Eve service one year. Gulley's writing style is easy to read and laugh out loud humorous, but always end with a poignant lesson that the reader discovers through the lovable, but frustratingly quirky characters in the book. Those characters become our friends, and the town of Harmony becomes like a second home. I am in love with this series and plan to read them all.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This past year, at Christmas - I purchased several Christmas themed books at the library book sale. I read this little book and enjoyed it. I could laugh with the minister as I could relate to the foibles of church folks at Christmas and the stress that puts the clergy under to try to keep the focus on the meaning of the season. I had more than one laugh about life in the parsonage and how church meetings can go. A sweet, funny little read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
I found this little gem of a book at my local Savers and knew I wanted to read it today (even though it's July...).
It's a very charming, sweet story of a little town at Christmas time. I laughed out loud more than once (the confessions, the carpet, etc). The main character, a pastor who grew up in the town, was witty and funny.
Just a sweet lovely story.

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple short book about the characters in the harmony series. I prefer my Christmas books to be about small town life and simple storylines, not romance books which a lot of Christmas books are about (to my chagrin). If you are unfamiliar with the series then this book wouldn’t be as good as a standalone - you kind of need the back stories. Sam, the pastor, continues to be quite passive and uninspiring.

[Kiley Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and picked it up again because I remembered this line; “…why it is that the occasions that change the least are often the very occasions that change is the most.” Reading it 20 years later hits different.

Go into thinking this 80 page novella will give you a little bit of nostalgia of christmases gone by- even if your Christmases looked a bit different than the one described.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all of Philip Gulley’s Harmony and Hope series. The early Harmony books were gentle, wise portraits of small town life and churches. I’ve noticed that later books are more cartoonish and even mean-spirited. Somewhere, he switched from the first person to the third, and it made a difference.