Monday, December 9, 2013

[Review] The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
Publisher: St Martins Press
Publishing Date: 2001
132 Pages
Format: hardcover

Synopsis

Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life - and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and, ultimately, himself. Eight-year-old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life and struggling to hold on to every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Eve brings Robert and Nathan together - he is shopping for a family he hardly knows, and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: Sometimes the smallest thing can make all the difference.

The Christmas Shoes, a tale of our shared humanity, is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives.

My Review

This book is a perfect Christmas read; it's short and makes you think about what you really need in life. This book is based on the song Christmas Shoes by NewSong, which you can find below. If you've never heard of it, you need to listen to it! I may even tear up every time I hear it. This book definitely follows the song, but it elaborates so much more. The little boy in this story is so sweet and my heart just broke for him when I was reading this. But I also felt a lot of sympathy for the second family in this story as well. I definitely teared up while reading this too! It makes you think about what is really important in your life. Material things are everything, and even if you have everything money can buy, it doesn't mean you'll be happy. If anyone is looking for a quick Christmas read, I recommend you get a copy of this book (:


Christmas Shoes by NewSong




It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes
His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe

And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say


                                                                       Chorus:
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size

Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight


He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"

He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me

He said Mama made Christmas good at our house

Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out

I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great


Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please

It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

                                                                         Bridge:
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out

I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about


Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size

Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

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