Karon, Jan – Shepherds Abiding

[Charlene Clevenger]

Shepherds Abiding is the next-to-last book in the Mitford series of novels. The series takes place, for the most part, in a small mountain town in North Carolina. Throughout the series I’ve come to know many of the residents of Mitford, especially Father Tim, an Episcopal Priest with a love for Wordsworth and a heart for people.

This book takes place at Christmastime. The owner of the local antique store brings a nativity set home from his annual buying trip to Europe. “Twenty-odd pieces, all in plaster, and possibly French. Someone assembled the scene from at least two, maybe three different crèches.”

Father Tim believes the nativity grouping has a certain charm, especially one angel with a broken wing. He thinks, “As for the broken wing, wasn’t that a pretty accurate representation of most of the human horde, himself certainly included?

The Father decides to buy the set and restore it himself as a surprise Christmas gift for his wife, Cynthia. Throughout the book his restorations are juxtapositioned against the people of the town—a lonely “old maid” taking the biggest risk of her life, an old man living his last days, a man afraid of losing his wife.

Through it all Father Tim and those he loves learn of God’s grace and mercy, and that the reason Christ was born was to “put us back together, and make us whole.”

Oh, and Cynthia has a surprise Christmas gift for Father Tim, too. :fav16

[Sharon Isley]

I love Jan Karon's Mitford series. They are some of my favorite books. I love the tone of Father Tim's ministry.

[Dana Grant]

Shepherds Abiding is the next-to-last book in the Mitford series. The series takes place, for the most part, in a small mountain town in North Carolina. Throughout the series I’ve come to know many of the residents of Mitford, especially Father Tim, an Episcopal Priest with a love for Wordsworth and a heart for people.

This book takes place at Christmastime. The owner of the local antique store brings a nativity set home from his annual buying trip to Europe. “Twenty-odd pieces, all in plaster, and possibly French. Someone assembled the scene from at least two, maybe three different crèches.”

Father Tim believes the nativity grouping has a certain charm, especially one angel with a broken wing. He thinks, “As for the broken wing, wasn’t that a pretty accurate representation of most of the human horde, himself certainly included?

The Father decides to buy the set and restore it himself as a surprise Christmas gift for his wife, Cynthia. Throughout the book his restorations are juxtapositioned against the people of the town—a lonely “old maid” taking the biggest risk of her life, an old man living his last days, a man afraid of losing his wife.

Through it all Father Tim and those he loves learn of God’s grace and mercy, and that the reason Christ was born was to “put us back together, and make us whole.”

Oh, and Cynthia has a surprise Christmas gift for Father Tim, too. :fav16

I have loved this series from book #1! I feel like I know the entire town of Mitford. I have laughed and cried with all of these characters.

The last book, Light From Heaven, was released in November. A little birdie told me that I was going to receive it for Christmas!!! I can't wait!!

After I read the last book, I'm going back to the very beginning and start again. I tend to read them too fast the first time, so I need to go back and just enjoy them the second time.

Merry Christmas!!

[Charlene Clevenger]

My sister gave me Light from Heaven when she was visiting for Thanksgiving, and she mailed me Shepherds Abiding after she got home. In fact either my sister or my mother has given me all the books except the one about their wedding. I checked that one out of the library. My sister even baked an orange marmelade cake for my birthday one year!

I thought about reviewing Light from Heaven, but I'll wait until after Christmas. :cs01 Someone else might want to review it first.

[MB Latham]

The Mitford series of books is wonderful! I love reading the books, and talking about them.

Have any of you been to Blowing Rock, North Caroina? That is the city that Mitford represents.

Have a blessed day!

MB
Luke 12:35

[Charlene Clevenger]

The Mitford series of books is wonderful! I love reading the books, and talking about them.

Have any of you been to Blowing Rock, North Caroina? That is the city that Mitford represents.

Have a blessed day!

MB
Luke 12:35

I've never been to that part of the country. It must be beautiful.

[Edith K. Thurmond]

I've never been to that part of the country. It must be beautiful.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/12379769.htm?source=rss&channel=charlotte_news

She is an interesting lady and has an unusual and checkered faith journey. I love her quote at the end of the above article: "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." Oh, the transforming power of our Risen Lord!

Thanks for sharing!

Advent blessings+

[Christine Josephson]

and you won't be disappointed with Light from Heaven.
It is wonderful. A good winter read.
I'm going back to begin the series again. Can't leave Mitford just yet.
Have any of you read the Heavenly Daze series authored by Angela Hunt and Lori Copeland? These books are very similar but different in small town setting and characters.

[MB Latham]

check out this website:

http://www.blowingrock.com/