Produced in part to contribute to the Christian outreach group, based in Orlando, Florida, Jesus Loves You Love Him Back, Patrick Higgins writes a fictional novel that will inspire, intrigue and bring saving faith in Jesus, reminding us all to, Love Thy Neighbor as Yourself in The Unannounced Christmas Visitor.
Counting down to Christmas, an unannounced visitor, dubbed as a vagrant, with shabby, unkept clothes and appearance. This visitor (possibly an angel) was ushered away from the front seats of Lydia Jensen’s church to the back row. All eyes were on the man as he was ushered to the back. Lydia too looked and wondered with compassion upon the man.
Finding out that he was put in the back because of the way he looked, gives way to Lydia speaking in first person of her ensuing encounters and changing heart. She wondered how her supposed brothers and sisters could act so unChristlike, and wondered how the godly couple, the Rainer’s, could possibly be so judgmental, after catching the elderly wife scowl at the poorly clothed man for taking their seats.
This book gives way to the issue of what it means to be Christlike, and displays Scripture in relevant ways as this visitor changes Lydia and her family’s lives for the good. God’s commands to His children is to not be partial, and to help the poor. The Unannounced Christmas Visitor sheds light on the modern-day Church and attitudes of the heart against the poor, the homeless and those who are less fortunate. The Bible reminds us that is not up to us to be the judge, that there is only one Judge. Still, this book displays another facet of some that those would call themselves Christians. Those who choose to look the other way, as many do, to a hurting world.
Displaying common attitudes and misguided faith about God in John (Lydia’s husband) the author has chosen to represent what may be more common happenings in marriages and families than one would like to think. Her husband John has become disconnected at age 42, and after his years at college and being indoctrinated with humanism (life without God), his faith has waned. So much so, he resents church and Lydia for wanting him to go. Their marriage, on the verge of divorce, with nothing but arguing day and night, represent how hard it is for couples just to be happy and the opposition that many families face. Lydia’s fight for her marriage and family is not an uncommon theme in our present day world.
Leading readers to a challenge to not only love the saved, but to love the lost – no matter what they look like, this book is inspiring, as it offers the hope in Jesus. One powerful comment that is made in the book by the homeless man sums up the book’s theme: “That’s because you’re doing a good thing. Most people do nice things hoping for the applause of others. But the select few do it more for the smile of God than anything else. I can assure you that your generosity has put a smile on our Maker’s face. How could you not feel good under such conditions?” This comment was made to Lydia, as she sat down to chat with the homeless man, whom she had fed (along with about 50 other homeless people).
A wonderful, heart-felt novel that will inspire one to look to God, follow His commands and to remember, God is Love – challenging all to look at themselves and ask, “What does love in action look like?” A fantastic read, reminding all of the true Gospel of faith in action.
Title: The Unannounced Christmas Visitor
By: Patrick Higgins
ISBN#978-0-9658978-0-8
10.0 out of 10.0 Stars
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