The Christmas Sweater

My sister-in-law, Lori was very kind to send Hugh and I the audio book The Christmas Sweater written by popular conservative talk-radio show host, Glenn Beck. We have just finished listening to it in the car after an hour drive to and from a family gathering in Frederick, MD.

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith, and forgiveness that makes us question whether we really know what's most important in our own lives.

Beck is portrayed in the story as young 12 year-old Eddie who yearns for a brand new shiny Huffy bicycle for Christmas. His mom who is struggling to make ends meet after his father's death, is unable to give him the bike he wishes for and instead knits him a sweater - "an ugly, homemade, stupid sweater".

Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It took alot of wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family -- and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell -- who helped Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart.

This short story entails many comical and heartwarming moments and I could easily relate to the era in which Beck writes. It has a few surprises too! The Christmas Sweater is a good read for the whole family! If you would like to know more about the book or if you would like to purchase it, click here.