"Christmas Eve at the homeless shelter looks the same as any other night: Kids running around. Volunteers serving coffee and Kool-Aid. People looking for a warm place to spend the night. Then something magical happens"--
"Of what use is one ugly little tree?" Atop a windswept hill, a crooked little tree stands alone . . . until one Christmas Eve, when an old woman labors up the hill with a box of ornaments, and tells the tree that he is special. He is to be the official Christmas tree for all of the homeless people in the city below! Year after year, colored balls and garland adorn the tree at Christmastime, but one year, the woman does not come. Will there be a Christmas for homeless? This story is based on actual events about a funny-looking mimosa tree that sits above a busy freeway in Fort Worth, Texas. A formerly homeless woman decorated the tree, year after year, so that the homeless would have a Christmas tree. When she died, neighbors took over the custom and now decorate it for Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. It can be seen on the north side of Interstate 30 near the Oakland exit.
The story of John Day Lucks has been a part of my life for many, many years. The character of John was born one magical Christmas season in a bedtime story I created for my two beautiful daughters. As usual, while tucking my girls into bed at night, they would ask to hear a story. Call it Christmas Magic. Call it love. Call it a combination of both. Suddenly in my head blossomed the idea for a story of a young boy with a heart of gold, who lived a difficult life through no fault of his own, and who deserved something better. With it being the holiday season, what better backdrop for the tale than Christmas Eve. A Homeless Christmas is a story of hope and love, abandonment and salvation. And a true Christmas Miracle.
A young African American boy reflects on the spirit of Christmas and thinks of ways he can behave in more caring ways and share what he has with others.
Christmas is coming, and Jack Baker's finances, friends, and future are as gone as last year's holiday. One year ago, Jack Baker had it all-a beautiful family, a lucrative career, and a generous bonus to spend on the annual Baker family Christmas extravaganza. Now the Bakers are homeless and clueless about what to do next. Amidst the holiday traditions and trappings, one family learns what is truly important when they lose all they have and find they have everything.
2nd Edition -- Finalist RT Book Reviews' Inspirational Novel of the Year Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanks-giving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is reluctant. He's never liked Art, despite the fact his own father abandoned them when Rick was twelve. Rick's attitude sours even more when a couple of days helping at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keeps hanging about, Slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons-as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day-work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas.