First of all, I apologize for being so LATE posting the discussion! It has been a crazy few weeks.
I really enjoyed Christmas Jars! I got teary-eyed in many parts of the book. I loved Hope's relationships with her mother Louise and the Maxwell family. They were all very loving and forgiving; they wanted the best for each other.
I also really admired Hope's personality. She was a very determined person. She had a view of who she wanted to be, and she went for it. Her mom was responsible for this by instilling in Hope a strong work ethic and in supporting her so enthusiastically. I guess this personality trait could also be a fault, since she was going to publish something that she knew the Maxwell family would not approve of in order to reach her goal.
The tradition of the Christmas Jar really is an amazing thing. I loved how the book talked about how it wasn't the receiver of the jar who received the biggest blessing--it was the person who took time each day to think about the spirit of Christmas and giving.
This was a great, quick read. I liked the ending, but I did think it was quite syrupy. How often do things tie up so nicely in real life???? But I guess miracles do happen! It is easier to remember that at Christmas time. I can't believe the holiday season is over already!!!
The Christmas Jars website is neat. You can read real stories of people who have given and received Christmas Jars. Jason Wright also has a blog!
What did you think of the book? Do you have a Christmas Jar story?
Natalie
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I loved this book, too! I cried a lot while reading it, and I loved the story line of the Christmas Jar and the Maxwell family.
I got kind of irritated with Hope a few times when she was still going to write the article, even after getting to know this great family. I was so glad in the end that she changed her topic.
I felt horrible for Hope when Adam died and I was glad that she still went to his funeral and went to the family home afterwards. If she hadn't gone, she never would have known that Hannah had thrown that newspaper away that showed Hope was a reporter for the newspaper and not a student.
I do feel like I should throw in that I hated the adoption story line in the book. I thought it was very poorly researched. I hope that birthmothers reading this book don't actually think that Hope's birthmother's situation is actually how it happens and that they will have to just leave their baby in a restaurant somewhere. Also, in the end they said, "another tearful daughter and mother became reunited across a white-flecked alter of forgiveness". What was there to be forgiven? Hope's birthmother did what was best for her child and Hope had a great life! There was no need of an "alter of forgiveness".
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