Karen Kingsbury's inspiration for writing The Red Glove Series was based on what she saw modeled by her father, how on one Thanksgiving, he loaded up a plate of leftovers and headed out to find the first person in need and pass the plate of food on to them. It would create such a lasting impression of the very nature of what God implied when He asked us to care for those in need, those that are hurting and ones we can lessen the burden for in unremarkable ways. Gideon's Gift begins the series and shares with us the store of how one little eight-year-old girl named Gideon who was struggling with finding a Christmas miracle in light of hoping her leukemia this year might go into remission. She truly believes in the message she has heard that Christmas miracles come to those who believe. As she and her father, Brian Mercer made their way to the hospital, they stopped like they always did while waiting for the blood tests and shared in a rare conversation, "What is their own idea of the perfect Christmas?" Little did Gideon know how God was listening to one girl's request to have the perfect Christmas just once, one that would blow the doors off any ordinary miracle and one that would change not only her life, but the lives of the people she would touch this year. Earl Badgett had hoped that all his years of living on the streets might one day take his life, but it looks like this is not going to be that day. As he makes his way into the local mission to get a hot meal, he holds on to the only hope that keeps his heart from growing cold. A single pair of red gloves hand-knitted by his wife Anne, two years ago for his Christmas present. It was almost two years to the date when he would once again find himself remembering that fateful night that claimed the life of his wife and daughter and would also claim any remnant of the Earl that once loved them. Now he spends his days and nights hoping this will be the night that he will join them in heaven, but one encounter with Gideon at the mission will change them both forever and show how powerful prayer can truly be to those who believe in God. I received Gideon's Gift by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such an amazing inspirational novel that would make a great Christmas gift that you can read together as a family, a chapter each night, to gain a true meaning of God's power and that of prayer. How God can change a hardened heart and show the amazing power of sacrificial love for another. There is even a section at the conclusion of the book that shares ways you can extend the gift of service to others this Christmas. I can highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something to stir the real reason behind Christmas and put you in the perfect Christmas Spirit and easily give it a 5 out of 5 stars!
Gideon’s Gift is the first book in Karen Kingsbury’s Red Glove Series. Since there is no common human character in the four book series, the books may be read in any order. The Red Gloves is the only connecting theme. Although each story takes place during the Christmas season, each book would be just as inspirational if read at any time during the year.I had Gideon’s Gift on hold in a queue since mid December. Despite the February availability date, I decided to complete reading the series now rather than waiting another ten months. I wasn’t disappointed.Gideon’s Gift is a heart warming story about a young girl with a beautiful soul, a very strong faith and a belief in Christmas miracles. She meets a grouchy, homeless man named Earl at a shelter and reaches out to him. Despite his rebukes, Gideon feels his pain and makes his happiness her priority. She spends the money she has saved on a special present for Earl and prays hard for a true Christmas miracle for him and for Earl to truly believe once again. Gideon’s generosity and love knows no limits. Her love for Earl is an unconditional love in the true child like sense – a love without judgment with absolutely no reservations or belief in limitations. Not surprisingly, her prayers and wishes come true. It is a wonderful story about how a generous spirit can make a difference in the life of an invisible homeless person, just by caring and reaching out. A wonderful read that will gently remind you of the “true Christmas spirit” not just at Christmas but at any time of the year. You don’t have to believe in God to enjoy this book. If you believe in love and humanity, Gideon’s Gift will touch your heart.
What do You think about Gideon's Gift (2002)?
This is another heart-warming Christmas story, though at first I thought it was a little too 'sappy.' But, I ended up crying during this sweet story! Gideon is a young girl with leukemia who loves to serve God alongside her family. Earl is a homeless man who lost his wife and daughter five years ago at Christmastime. Gideon's wish is for a Christmas miracle... she wants to bring a smile to his face. She wants him to "believe" again.A great Christmas story!Note: This is a short story which I actually read as part of the collection titled "The Red Gloves Collection."
—Dana
One long-ago Christmas, Big Earl Gibson lost the two things most precious to him-his wife and daughter. Angry and heartbroken, he abandoned his belief in God and is now living on the street. Gideon is a seven-year-old leukemia patient determined to reach out to this lonely and hurting man. And Earl is just as determined to rebuff her. It is only through a miracle that Earl finally comes to understand the true meaning of Christmas. And it's only then that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own.Loved this Christmas story! It was very touching. The young girl Gideon was a beautiful example of how we all should be by loving everyone, not judging and thinking of others instead of our selves. “Miracles happen to those who believe.” This is a wonderful story of a Christmas Miracle that touches a sick young girl and a gruff homeless man. It is a story of faith charity and spiritual rebirth.
—Tamsen
This wonderful novella from author Karen Kingsbury is destined to become a Christmas classic. It is heartwarming and inspirational in its story of belief in miracles by a selfless young girl with leukemia, and a man living on the streets of Portland, Oregon, haunted by his memories. Short yet touching, it will hold a special place among Christmas stories once read.Gideon Mercer is an eight year old girl with a gift for bringing out the best in those around her. She is selfless and kind. When she dreams of the perfect Christmas and prays with her father for some kind of special miracle this year, it may have to transpire soon; little Gideon is running out of time. But prayers can be answered, and a miracle will present itself in the form of Earl Badgett.Earl has been living on the rainy streets of Portland so long he has lost touch with humanity; his only connection to the past a pair of red gloves. Only at night when he puts them on does he recall his two girls, wife Anne and daughter Molly. They are his only reminder of happier times. What happened to Earl is heartbreaking and very plausible in Kingsbury's hands, her gift for making stories like this of faith and hope on wonderful display.When Gideon and Earl meet at the mission Gideon senses what that miracle could be. I will not reveal what transpires between Gideon and Earl but this novella opens upon the joyous occasion of a wedding and slowly reveals how faith and a Christmas miracle brought all the parties involved there. This is a sweet and heartfelt story of hope that will make you want to do good to others while we still have the time.Short and touching, it does not have to be read during the Christmas season to enjoy, but its brief length and sentimental message make it perfect for the busy holiday season. It also is a nice gift idea for that someone special in your life who enjoys sentimental and heartwarming tales, and Christmas.
—Bobby Underwood
