A Gift for All Time

More about the book

In Christian homes, a nativity set serves as a cherished reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, often passed down through generations. In the 1840s, an immigrant family faces a catastrophe during a violent storm, losing their possessions, including their beloved nativity, to the Arkansas River. In Van Buren, Arkansas, a young woman seeks the help of a local blacksmith to return this symbol of hope to its owners as they journey to St. Louis, Missouri. As the Civil War ignites a national identity crisis, the nativity scene arrives in Mexico, Missouri, where a soldier recovering from war injuries decides to restore it as a gift for his beloved. Fast forward to the new millennium, the nativity set finds its way to the attic of an old church in the Arkansas River Valley. There, a college student and her friend work to revive the spirit of a forgotten town. After more than a century, this representation of the holy family regains its significance. The story illustrates how God's perfect plan for humanity was fulfilled by the birth of His son in a stable in Bethlehem, with the nativity set touching the hearts of its owners across generations. Ultimately, it reflects the enduring truth that God's love never fails.