The Christmas Promise

By: Donna VanLiere

Narrated by: Donna VanLiere

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Donna VanLiere's books movingly portray ordinary people reaching for more meaningful lives. In The Christmas Promise, she follows two seemingly separate individuals and shows how their lives intersect. Chaz McConnell realizes that his life is empty—and he's made it that way. He goes home every night to a bare apartment. For the first time in his life, he's working at a job that will last more than a few weeks, as security for Wilson's Department Store. Trying to reach out, he befriends 4-year-old Donovan, whose mother is part of the janitorial team at Wilson's.

Gloria Bailey finds it easy to care for families in need but just can't seem to bridge the gap with her cantankerous neighbor, 60-something widow Miriam Lloyd Davies. When Miriam goes away for a week and a pipe bursts she comes home to a house under water. Gloria, in an act of kindness—or maybe insanity—invites Miriam to stay at her house until a hotel room becomes available. They eventually realize they have more in common than they ever thought. In this beautiful, deeply poignant novel, we are reminded that the past is never far behind and all of us are longing for a place to call home.

Listen to more of Donna VanLiere's Christmas stories.

©2007 Donna VanLiere (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

"Everyone changes for the better in this tidy fable." (Publishers Weekly)

One of Donna's best!!!!

I have enjoyed all of her books, but for some reason, this one is very special to me. It literally entered the "home of my heart," and I plan to revisit this small town next Christmas.

A fan

I have listened to several of Donna VanLiere’s books. Her stories are all very well written. She does not overuse adjectives and try to impress with out of the place words. She brings the Grace and love of God into all that I have heard and it fits perfectly in each storyline. Her stories flow smoothly and can be very real. I see so many people I have come into contact with that I have ministered to or missed an opportunity to reach for Christ when I hear her books. There are MANY Matthews, Carla’s, and Erins out there in our homeless communities. I pray that we will all be inspired and convicted to show more Grace to everyone.

God's grace at Christmas

Donna Van Liere has numerous books about Christmas hope, love, and God's working in people's lives. This particular book is especially good as it is basically about God's grace. Sixty something, Gloria, lives alone since the death of her husband seven years ago, when her 17 year old son ran away and her other children were grown and living away with their own families. She has a special wish that has been hanging on her tree for years--a prayer for God.

Gloria spends her day helping people. She takes in second had clothes and anything else that people leave for her. She also collects food in large amounts. Her house doesn't always look spectacular when cars or old refrigerators are outside being worked on. Her crabby next door neighbor, Mariam, never missis an opportunity to complain to Gloria about her "repairs" in the yard, until one day when Mariam returns from a trip to find her house flooded. With no place else to go, Gloria invites Mariam to stay with her.

Meanwhile, Chaz, who is a drifter, drinker, grumpy but good hearted man, gets a job in security at a local department store and winds up becoming a part time babysitter to one of the employees precocious 5 year old son with issues of his own. Van Liere's connections of all these people, plus a few others, creatively and wonderfully illustrates God's grace in this lovely sentimental Christmas story. I listened to this on Audible and believe it enhanced the story a great deal. Hope there are lots more if these stories for the future holiday seasons!

Always A Great Listen

You can't go wrong with Donna Vanliere! This is the second Christmas season that I'm listening to her entire Christmas sereies again, and I was delighted to see that there's a new one! Always stories of redemption that bring encouragement and hope! She's a fantastic narrator too! Want to feel good? Listen to a Donna Vanliere book!

Wonderful

Enjoyed every minute of it. Don't miss this heart warming take of kindness, forgiveness and redemption

Slow to start, but finishes strong

I struggled in the beginning and am so glad I stuck it out. Can't wait to read the series!

Amazing!

This is a beautiful, heartfelt story I'll always remember and want to reread. Wonderful narration, and very relatable characters that were easy to get attached to!

one word:miraculous

I want to live in this town. The people in this town are just like the people I picture myself being around. I laughed, I cryed. I fell in love with this town. every story so far has left me wanting more

THE BEST!!!!!

This is seriously one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard. Donna VanLiere is an amazing author.

enjoyed

I loved the fun character Miss Glory! Good character building, meaningful and inspirational read. Great ending.