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Journey back to a simpler time, to a small English village where nothing out of the ordinary ever happens. Except at Christmastime. When a mysterious angel suddenly appears in a lowly candlemaker's shop, the holy and the human collide in a way that only God could imagine. Glowing bright... read more

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Once every 25 years, an angel appears to the chandler (candle maker) and touches one candle. When that candle is given to a needy soul who prays, the person receives a miracle. Now a new reverend has been sent to the town and he doesn't support the town's tradition. Many people feel they are... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Once every 25 years, an angel appears to the chandler (candle maker) and touches one candle. When that candle is given to a needy soul who prays, the person receives a miracle. Now a new reverend has been sent to the town and he doesn't support the town's tradition. Many people feel they are the one who needs the candle due to come this year. A late night stumble after the angel's appearance mixes up the candles and makes it impossible for the chandler or his wife to tell which one the angel touched. Instead, they end up giving candles from the entire batch to those in need. Fearful of their multiple candle give aways being revealed, they attend the Christmas church service to find that many were blessed as a result of their faith. They confess the candle mix up. Just as the service is concluding, a coachman comes in with an emergency. His coach overturned on a bridge and his passenger and her baby went into the water. The Reverend's candle is used at the end of the rescue (after their lantern goes out) and provides an unnatural light to help them locate the girl, who turns out to be the chandler's granddaughter, allowing the chandler to hope that the angel touching a candle will go on for another generation.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Edward Haddington: Town candlemaker. His family has been the recipient of an angel's visit every 25 years during which the angel touches a candle. Married to Bea.
  • Mr. Chumley: Husband to Sarah and the town's alchemist--the closest thing they have to a doctor.
  • Adam Patterson: A friend of Edward's who develops a pounding headache that Mr. Chumley cannot cure. His father developed the same symptoms and died within a week. Is given a candle by Edward.
  • Sarah Chumley: Twin to Bea Haddington and wife to Mr. Chumley. Good natured. Is given a candle by Bea.
  • James Clemly: Husband of Elizabeth and runs the Queen's Tavern south of Gladstone. Comes to see Edward about receiving the candle. Is given a candle by Edward.
  • Bea Haddington: Edward's wife. Plays the organ at church. Twin to Sarah Chumley.
  • P. Pillington: Long time Reverend of Gladstone, much beloved. Now deceased.
  • David Richmond: New Reverend assigned to Gladstone. From an influential family and was thought to take a more influential parish, but an ill-advised action during schooling precludes that post. He is skeptical of the villager's tradition of the Christmas candle. Receives a candle from the Haddingtons but does not light it until needed during a rescue attempt.
  • Charles Barstow: Owner of the local mercantile. Married. Ancestors are from Putnam. Past recipient of the Haddington's angel-touched candle.
  • Emily Barstow: Granddaughter to the Barstows. Mrs. Barstow would like Rev. Richmond to take her to be his wife. Is given a candle by Bea.
  • Abigail: The Haddingtons granddaughter whom they have not seen for many years.
  • Elizabeth Clemly: Wife of James. Works with her husband at the Queen's Tavern.
  • Widow Leonard: A townswoman who earns her living by renting out the back of her house. Renters have been scarce and she requests the Christmas candle from the Haddingtons.
  • Thomas Trevor: A chandler who works near the coal mines who has started to make green candles. (The green color gives away the miners who chew the candles the mining company buys for them.) He has employees and machines and can make many more candles than the Haddingtons do.
  • Edward: Abigail's baby who continues the family candlemaking.
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

Gladstone--the village where this story takes place.
  • London: Capital of and large city in England.
  • Bristol Lane: Street on which the Haddingtons live.

First Sentence edit see section history

Light exploded in the small house, making midnight seem as daylight.

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Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Max Lucado (Author)

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Page Count: 208

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  • The Christmas Child : A Story about Finding Your Way Home for the Holidays (Lucado, Max)

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