Pedantic, weak, predictable. ( )

Picked up at the library, looked like a quick read (finished in about a half hour). Sweet story about faith. ( )

This short novel tells the story of a candlemaker who recieves a visit from an angel. He blesses one of the candlemaker's candles and then disappears. The candlemaker gives the blessed candle to a struggling neighbor and tells him to light the candle and pray about his problems. The neighbor does so and is miraculously relieved of his burdens. So begins a tradition that occurs in the village every so many years, until one year when a new preacher arrives to replace the previous one. This new preacher is skeptical of the candle story, and even though it is the year when the angel is supposed to bless a new candle, refuses to sanction the practice. For what happens next you'll have to read the book.
Lucado is a very descriptive writer, as you may know from his non-fiction, and this novella has a rich sweet feeling. You feel like you are there, and of course there is a lot of heart felt emotion in the story pulling at your heartstrings. Pick this up when you are in a sentimental mood for a good story--whether it's Christmas or not. ( )