Christmas in Harmony (Gulley, Philip) [Paperback]

Philip Gulley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005 | Series: Gulley, Philip

Philip Gulley takes us to Harmony, Indiana, at Christmastime as inspiration strikes the inimitable Dale Hinshaw. Always looking for a way to increase the church's profit margins, Hinshaw brainstorms a progressive nativity scene that will involve the whole town, complete with a map like those for the Hollywood stars. Neither Pastor Sam Gardner nor the other members of the Harmony Friends meeting express any enthusiasm for this idea, but Dale is unstoppable. Meanwhile, Pastor Sam has his own concerns: he's having his annual argument with his wife, and he's worried that the four-slotted toaster he bought for her may be too lavish a gift.

Amidst the bustle of the season, the citizens of Harmony experience the simple joys and sometime loneliness that often go unseen. Sam comes to the realization that Dale, in his own misguided way, is only trying to draw meaning from the eternal story of Christmas. "In this unsettled world, it is good to have this steadiness -- the Christmas Eve service, the peal of the bell. . . .There is a holiness to memory, a sense of God's presence in these mangers of the mind. Which might explain why it is that the occasions that change the least are often the very occasions that change us the most."

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gulley's beloved Harmony series takes a festive turn with this delightful novella, featuring Quaker minister Sam Gardner and the intimate circle of eccentrics who comprise his congregation. The infuriating church elder Dale Hinshaw is up to his usual schemes, this time planning an all-out "progressive nativity scene" on Christmas Eve that will convert the heathen while turning a tidy profit for the church. Gulley's trademark humor is much in evidence, as when he muses on the irony that Dale wants to raise a "Quaker militia" to forfend any terrorist activity on Christmas Eve, or describes how the church's Christmas card list gets longer every year because even one-time visitors who drop a small check in the collection plate gain "a place in our directory in perpetuity." More extraordinary than the jesting, however, is Gulley's theological sensitivity and often profound reflections on parenting, traditions and the Christian story.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Quaker author Gulley returns to the quaint town of Harmony, IN (Home to Harmony; Just Shy of Harmony), and the eccentric members of Pastor Sam Gardner's Quaker church. Sam reflects on the true meaning of Christmas as church elder Dale Hinshaw embarks on yet another of his hare-brained fund-raising schemes, a progressive Nativity scene involving the whole town. Fans who love these quirky characters and Sam's wry take on the nature of Christianity and the meaning of life will rejoice at spending the holidays with them. An essential purchase for libraries owning Gulley's previous Harmony books.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060834188
• ISBN-13: 978-0060834180
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,045,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.

He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.

Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam--in a rambling old house with Gulley's eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Heartwarming!, January 22, 2003

By 

Nancy Kaye "reader_in_wi" (Sussex, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas in Harmony (Hardcover)

Philip Gulley won me over with his first Harmony book, "Home to Harmony." His character development and wonderful sense of humor bring the people in his books alive. I was quite surprised when I found that this book was only 84 pages long! But that is good for a Christmas book, as you can read it in one sitting. Anyone who has been a member of a church can find someone to indentify with or knows someone in their church like Dale Hinshaw! I laughed out loud more than once, but the best part of the book was the ending.......very heartwarming, touching and made a tear roll down my cheek.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas in Harmony, December 15, 2002

By 

Paula Wofford (Knoxville, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas in Harmony (Hardcover)

Just finished reading this book in one sitting. The flow and writing were easy to follow, taking the reader from one emotion to the other - the simplier ways of life, the five and dime, Santa, family gatherings. The best part of the book was the part where "Sam" read the Christmas story to "Frank". Thus going back to the original tradition that the church has observed for years.

Let's not forget about Dale Hinshaw, every small town has someone like him. A likeable character although somewhat misguided. Philip Gulley makes him to appear almost humanlike, along with the other characters in his book. Once you read one of his books, you can't wait until the next one is published.

Although only a layman on book reviews, I give this book an extremely high rating. It is rare that a book touches me enough to laugh and cry at the same time. It is an excellent Christmas gift to give anyone - young or old.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harmony is funny again!, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas in Harmony (Hardcover)

After reading "Just Shy of Harmony", where Gulley takes the story into more serious and sometimes borderline sacreligious ground, "Christmas in Harmony" hits the mark readers/fans of "Home to Harmony" would expect. Yes, it's short, but it only covers the few weeks of Christmas preparation his little parish are to endure. Laugh-out-loud funny in places and reflective in others, Gulley has another winner in this little gem. Enjoy!