Away With the Manger

Away With the Manger

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Description

It began with a letter. Jackson Grim, newspaper columnist, was wading through his usual pile of hate mail from gun owners, religious wackos, and fans of a political talk show when he found it. The letter writer regretted the decision of the Hartville City Council to ban a manger scene on the front lawn of City Hall unless other "Winter Holiday" symbols (Santa, reindeer, snowpersons) were included in the display. Though he was not a religious man himself, Jackson decided to print the letter in his column—a decision he quickly came to regret.

This story of Christmas in the culture wars reveals a town thrown into mayhem by rhetoric on all sides when everyone from the town's leading atheist, Diedra Freep, to Pastor Marty is drawn into the debate. You will be amused and surprised by the events that follow, and you may even find your heart strangely warmed.

Reviews
"Chris Fabry is a wonderful storyteller. His book offers great entertainment coupled with a spiritual wallop."
— Chuck Colson

"We never, never, NEVER endorse other people's novels . . . so how soon does the movie come out, anyway?"
— Brock & Bodie Thoene

"Wildly funny to start with—stunningly sobering at the end."
— Elisabeth Elliot

"Chris Fabry's skill is to be funny and wise at once. By a genuine, gentle humor he calls believers to believe the deep message of Christmas. . . . Read this book for Christmas when it is not Christmas."
— Walter Wangerin

"Reading instructions: Read from beginning to end. Breathe a prayer. Listen carefully for inner response."
— Janette Oke

What Readers Are Saying . . .

  • "Once again, Chris Fabry's brilliance in developing full-fleshed characters within a thrilling, yet poignant and sometimes painful story has captivated my heart and mind."

    — FICTIONADDICT.COM on Every Waking Moment

  • "Few authors can weave such unique stories with such perfect language. . . . Fabry is an artist with words. All I can say is: Read his novels."

    — EXAMINER.COM on June Bug

  • "A book about deep secrets, the effort it takes to heal catastrophic hurts, and a thriller with an excellent plot climax."

    — 1340MAGBOOKS.COM on Dogwood

  • "[Fabry's] poignant story is driven by deeply drawn characters who evoke empathy and frustration, compassion and anger. But in the end, the painful labor of rebirth will bring tears of joy!"

    — Christine, CBD Fiction Editor, on Looking into You

  • "In this suspense-filled drama, Fabry covers hot topics involving illegal immigration policies, drug running between borders, and the cost of being involved with the mob. . . . Readers will be immersed in the lives of Maria and J. D."

    — ROMANTIC TIMES, 4-Star Review of Borders of the Heart

  • "An evocative novel . . . Fabry weaves the events of the past and present into a finely layered story exploring the relationships of faith, forgiveness and family in the midst of healing from pain buried deep in the past."

    — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on Under a Cloudless Sky

  • "Engrossing and entertaining . . . [an] unforgettable tale."

    — ROMANTIC TIMES on June Bug

  • "A fresh voice in Christian fiction . . . [Fabry] brings his trademark rich character development to this story, which delves into weighty issues like judgment, contentment, giftedness, and society's outcasts."

    — EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION on Every Waking Moment

  • Under a Cloudless Sky is entertaining and a wonderful addition to the inspirational fiction genre . . . a multilayered, engaging story with rich details and interesting characters."

    — ROMANTIC TIMES, 4-Star Review

  • "Under a Cloudless Sky captivated me from page one. I cared immediately what happened to Ruby and Bean, and the stakes kept rising as tidbits of history were revealed, unraveling the mystery that held Ruby captive. A terrific reading experience!"

    — Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author