Historical Fiction Review: The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz

What it’s about:
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

My Thoughts:
This story revealed an event in history I knew nothing about. Frantz, with her attention to historical detail wove a fascinating story from the devastation of the Acadian people even as she offered a thread of hope. I love the main character, Sylvie. She’s a talented seamstress thrown into a terrible situation, yet she holds on to her faith and the strength she learned from her parents. William Blackburn is a mystery who unfolds on the pages. And Sylvie’s brother, Bleu, is a fascinating character. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story. Frantz is a gifted writer and I plan to read more of her books. I received this book for free with no expectations. My opinions are my own.

The Most Beautiful Plan

Luke 2:4-7
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

God had a plan for a song and His Son.

O Holy Night, one of the most popular and often sung songs at Christmas, was originally written by a French village merchant, Placide Cappeau, who was also a poet and an atheist with the music written by, Adolphe Adams, a Jewish man. Two unlikely people to pen a beautiful hymn about the birth of Jesus. The local priest wanted a new song for the Christmas season, and he had asked the local poet to write one. Eventually, the song was rejected by the church in France, due to its origins.

God wasn’t finished with O Holy Night. Abolitionist John Sullivan Dwight recognized the truth of the lyrics and brought the song to America, where people embraced the beautiful message.

When God has a plan, no one can stop Him. The most wonderful and amazing plan involved the humans He created. Even though Adam and Eve failed in the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to return people to Him. He offered His own son to the world, as a baby, who would grow to be a man, who would offer his life as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Christmas is the celebration of the Holy Night Mary delivered Jesus into our broken world. Amid the stockings and the tree, the gifts, the food, and the tinsel, stop and think about the true reason for celebration, the freedom Jesus offers and the love and grace God gives.

Merriest Christmas to you all!

Josh Groban sings my favorite rendition of O Holy Night. I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas Blessings!

Along with the books I've suggested, read Luke 2:1-19 

from the Bible and share the beautiful story of Jesus birth.

I love the fun and beauty of the season, but most of all I love Jesus.

I pray each and every reader and your family have a blessed Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

 

The Christmas Tree

I discovered this little book many years ago 

and recently found it again.

The delightful and charming story 

fills my heart with joy every time I read it. 

"The Christmas Tree is the tale of a little girl named Anna, who is orphaned and sent to live in a convent. The lonely girl befriends, as only a child can, a tiny fir tree. Anna and Tree, as she calls him, grow up together, unlocking the secrets of friendship and sharing the wonders of nature. It is this same profound appreciation and love of nature that the grown-up Anna, now Sister Anthony, passes on to her students.

When Tree is threatened by a winter storm, Sister Anthony, by now an old woman, decides to give up her dearest friend, allowing him to become the most enjoyed and famous tree of all: the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

A perennial holiday favorite, The Christmas Tree is about learning to love and, ultimately, being able to share that love with others."

 

Hark-Do You Hear Them?

Luke 2:10-14
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

You gotta love Linus!

I don’t think I’ve missed watching A Charlie Brown Christmas since the show debuted in 1965. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Linus and his blanket. If you watch closely, when he recites the story of Jesus’ birth, he drops his security blanket. He knows his true security has come as a babe in the manger. Yes, the characters are cartoons, but the story is real. Charlie Brown represents all of us who are searching for the truth, and Linus presents it to him in the most beautiful way.

As Linus tells, the angels addressed the shepherds with good news of great joy. Years ago, a hymn called Hark How All the Welkin Rings by Charles Wesley evolved over time into Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Welkin means heavens or skies. He shared the beautiful idea of the angels, who rejoiced. Wesley’s hymn changed, but the story of Jesus’ birth remains the same. The angel approached shepherds, a lowly lot by society’s standards, and shared the good news of Jesus. That act shows me Jesus came for every one of us so we can have a relationship with His Father, God.

A few years ago, I realized I’d clung to this hymn because Linus and all his pals sang it at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has stayed at the top of my favorites list for years.

As you contemplate Christmas and the love of Jesus, I hope you sing with joy.

Some St. Nick Reads

I enjoy reading stories about St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, as we call him. 

The true history of St. Nicholas offers 

a beautiful story about giving and caring about others needs.

Some adult reads I've enjoyed are The Autobiography of Santa Claus 

and How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn. 

For children, I've listed a few favorites. 

Young Claus is a chapter book and the others are picture books. 

Cuddle up with your child and share in the magic of the holiday.

Do you have a favorite Christmas book?

 

He Wraps me in Peace

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Peace on earth, good will to men. 

On Christmas Day 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard the bells tolling in Cambridge and penned the poem, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, later set to music by the English organist John Baptiste Calkin in 1872.

Longfellow had lost his wife to a fire and was left with six children. His heart ached when his oldest son returned from the Civil War with a gun shot wound. In his sorrow he sought to find hope.

I can’t imagine what life was like during the Civil War for America, any more than I can fathom the countries who are war torn now. Longfellow’s heart must have hurt. By 1863, He’d lost two wives, the second leaving him six children. His son returned home wounded and nearly paralyzed. At that point he struggled to write his poems, he was the most famous US poet at the time.

When he heard the bells ring out, he grasped on to the hope they offered him. Hope for better and brighter days.

Christmas is a time of joy, but it can also be a time of sorrow for many. Jesus wants us to know he came to bring peace to the hearts of all. Isaiah proclaims Him as the Prince of Peace, the One who can take a broken heart and restore it to fullness.

I love these glorious lines from the song:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

No matter the circumstances surrounding the holidays or any days, God is not dead and He’s not asleep. Instead, He holds me in sorrow and in joy. He loves me and wraps me in comfort and peace.

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus, embrace Him as the Prince of Peace.

Casting Crowns sings a beautiful version of I Heard the Bells.