Snow is falling, fires are crackling, the smell of gingerbread houses wafts through the air. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is being blared inside every merrily decorated department store. It can only mean one thing! Christmas is here. Of course, half the joy of Christmas is curling up next to the hearth with a good book in hand. And this book is totally for anyone.
Rachel Lapp is a young Amish woman who is the daughter of the community’s bishop. She is in the midst of planning the annual Christmas Nativity play when newcomer Noah Miller arrives in town to spend Christmas with his cousins. Encouraged by her father to welcome the new arrival, Rachel asks Noah to be a part of the Nativity.
Despite Rachel’s engagement to Samuel King, a local farmer, she finds herself irrevocably drawn to Noah and his carefree spirit. Reserved and slightly shy, Noah is hesitant to get involved in the play, but an unlikely friendship begins to develop between Rachel and Noah, bringing with it unexpected problems, including a seemingly harmless prank with life-threatening consequences that require a Christmas miracle.
Will Rachel honor her commitment to Samuel, or will Noah win her affections?
By Sean Sherwood