Customer Reviews

The Christmas Sweater

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In this heartwarming little novel, Glenn Beck gives us the story of Eddie, a boy like any other, looking forward to Christmas morning. All he dreams of is a new bike for Christmas. When disappointment arrives on Christmas morning, it sets in motion the events that will change Eddie's heart and soul forever.

Over the course of the next year, Eddie stubbornly pushes away the love offered to him, and instead wishes for the life of another. Eddie does not see his own selfishness, or the selflessness of those closest to him as they try unfailingly to gain entrance through his wall of anger. Finally, with the help of a mysterious neighbor, Eddie learns that the simple things in life are where we find our greatest joys. Eddie is given the chance to learn appreciation for what - and who - he already has in his life.

Eddie gains the courage to face fears and regrets which opens a new world of forgiveness, acceptance and understanding, a chance to begin to discover who he was truly meant be. Not the "what," but the "who." Then, unexpectedly, Eddie is given the opportunity for a second chance. Could it be that simple? Could there really be a chance for Eddie to turn back the hands of time? Given the chance, would you set aside resentment and seize the opportunity for healing?

There are lessons here for all of us. We can all learn to fully experience both the joy and sorrow of life, and to embrace the learning that life offers. As Eddie's story teaches us, it is impossible to avoid misfortune, but what dictates our happiness in life is how we react to it. All we really need is already right under our noses. Is it possible for all of us to right past wrongs, to undo hurt, to come to accept misfortune before it envelops us and hardens our hearts? Perhaps, like Eddie, we can, with a little help from the magic of Christmas.

This book shows genuine relational development. Things do not happen smoothly, and tough times do not always smooth out in a timely or convenient manner. It was a gift to me, and I will always treasure it. The story is based on truth, although Mr. Beck needed to change some details in order to make this a story that could fit into one book. It strikes at the heart of all adolescent rebellion, as well as any perpetual ruts that we find ourselves in, both the emotional downslides and the hurt it causes those whom we love. The book has a warmth that soothes the soul, most especially if you have unresolved issues from your past, or the inability to stop feeding those bad storms in life. I don't want to spoil the ending, so I will say that it has a good ending. Stick in there, Eddie will be okay. It leaves you with the impression that you will be okay, too. I did not agree with the theology surrounding the atonement, but that is really beside the point. We all don't have to be exactly alike to understand the human experience, and share in this story. I actually felt a kinship with Eddie by the end of the novel. I will be reading this book more than once.

The book was so interesting it was difficult to close it rather than continue reading. It was easy to read and kept one in suspense until the end.

Glenn, or should I say, Eddie, KEEP WRTING!!! That was a story that I could absolutely feel. I loved how you gave him the second chance.

Loved this book, it was the first book I downloaded on my Kindle the day after Christmas. I read the whole thing on our trip home from my parents, crying a lot of the time. It really makes you think about how you are raising your children and what their life would be like without you to guide them - just like our lives would be without Christ to guide us.

I bought this on CD and listened to it one Saturday afternoon. A touching story which all should listen to during this Christmas season.

Recovering from surgery this holiday season, I`ve had the opportunity to read a lot of Christmas themed books. This is undoubtedly the best I have read. We can all identify with with this - only the names are changed. This is a timeless book and will be a classic in years to come. I can already envision it on the Hallmark channel.

Glenn Beck is one of the great storytellers of our time. In the Christmas Sweater, he bring the story of a young boy who has to come to terms with what are the most important things you receive at Christmas. Eddie wants nothing more than a bicycle for Christmas. Instead he gets a sweater due to the hard times his family has been facing due to the death of his father a few years earlier. This sends him down a road where, while he know he should go in another direction, keeps making his situation worse regarding the people around him. Only the words of a "next-door neighbor" can get him back on the road to happiness. So it a story of despair and redemption, about how everyone has a second chance if only they take it.

This is a great book with a great message. It is bound to be a classic, that can be read and reread.

Great story! I had borrowed the book, read it, but wanted my own copy. A timeless story that has meaning beyond the holiday season setting. Readers of all ages will find value in the message. The condition of the book was just as described, at a good price, and shipped in a reasonable time. What more could I ask?!