The theme for this novel came from a Christmas sermon at our church. Our pastor talked about the three wise men searching for the star, and gently reminded all of us that there is quite a bit of light and hope inside each of us, too—if we’re brave enough to seek it.
So, this Christmas, I hope each of you finds the light that has been guiding you—or, even better, realizes that you are the light that guides others. In addition, I wish you the company of friends and family and too much good food to eat! I wish you happy memories and mistletoe and the time to enjoy it all, too. But most of all, I wish you happiness. That, I think, is a gift that gives back all year round.
With Christmas blessings to you,
PS. I love to hear from readers and send out bookmarks, too! Please visit me at www.shelleyshepardgray.com, on Facebook, or write me at:
Shelley Shepard Gray
10663 Loveland-Madeira Rd. #17,
Loveland, OH 45140
Questions for Discussion
1. The theme of belonging is an almost-constant one in my novels. Christmas in Sugarcreek was no exception. Ben, Rebecca, and Lilly all felt that they weren’t quite good enough for the people who loved them. Did they change . . . or did their perceptions about themselves change?
2. Writing about Lilly and Robert celebrating their first Christmas together made me nostalgic. Over twenty years ago, my husband and I started several traditions that have become an integral part of our holiday season. Do you have any traditions that you began? Are there any traditions you wish you could change?
3. The Amish are known to be very giving and charitable people, which is one of the reasons I wanted Caleb and Rebecca to be working on Christmas baskets in the novel. What ways does your family or church or community give back at Christmas?
4. Obviously, Lilly and Robert’s story was a twist on O. Henry’s famous story, “The Gift of the Magi.” Have you ever had a Gift of the Magi moment, where you gave someone a gift that they couldn’t use?
5. When I finished the novel, I still wasn’t sure where Ben and Judith should live. Do you have a preference? Above the store like Gretta and Joshua? In Ben’s house? Or, perhaps they need a new place of their own?
6. Is there a character in the Seasons of Sugarcreek novels who you would like to see more of? Why?
7. When I first read the Amish proverb, “The woods would be silent if only the best birds sang,” I knew it would go well with this novel. Does the proverb resonate with you in any special way?
8. The following scripture verse helped me tremendously when writing this novel. Is there a person in your life who adds “light” to it? Can you think of a way that you add “light” to others?
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” John 8:12
About the Author
SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full-time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town’s scenic bike trail.
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Also by Shelley Shepard Gray
Sisters of the Heart series
Hidden
Wanted
Forgiven
Grace
Seasons of Sugarcreek series
Spring’s Renewal
Autumn’s Promise
Families of Honor
The Caregiver
The Protector
The Survivor
Credits
Cover design by Mary McAdam Keane
Cover photograph by Doyle Yoder
Holly photograph by Shutterstock
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK. Copyright © 2011 by Shelley Shepard Gray. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
FIRST EDITION
EPub Edition November 2011 ISBN: 9780062089779
Print Edition ISBN: 9780062089762
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Epigraphs
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Author's Note
Questions for Discussion
About the Author
Also by Shelley Shepard Gray
Credits
Copyright
About the Publisher