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The Christmas Box Miracle:
My Spiritual Journey of Destiny, Healing and Hope
It has been six years since Richard Paul Evans' debut novel, The Christmas Box, catapulted him out of obscurity and onto to the bestseller lists. Now, the international bestselling author reveals the tragedies, triumphs, and turning points that led to his initial publishing success. In his first work of nonfiction, Evans is also at his most intimate. "This book is about forces that move about us like wind - unseen, yet powerful enough at times to knock us over. And it's about a little Christmas tale I wrote that was the result of such forces. Some call these forces divinity, others call them coincidence. Some just call them magic."
In the process of sharing his personal odyssey with readers, Evans also reveals the genesis of many of the characters and themes that run throughout his novels. Woven into this engaging memoir are letters from and extraordinary stories of people whose lives have been affected and transformed by The Christmas Box. Evans writes, "As a novelist I find it ironic that this story, the most unlikely of my books, is the only one that is true...More incredible are the stories I encountered along the journey - miraculous stories of healing and curious coincidence that often defy explanation. These are experiences that have changed the way I view the world."
"This is a charming and delightful book and it shows that the true miracle of The Christmas Box is in the thousands of spirits it has lifted and the hearts it has healed."
-- Mary Higgins Clark
In THE CHRISTMAS BOX MIRACLE, Evans takes us back to his early days as the seventh of eight children, the sixth of seven boys, in an upper middle-class Mormon family living the American Dream in Arcadia, California. Undergoing a reversal of fortune when his father lost his job and was unemployed for nearly a year, Evans recalls the family's moves to Idaho and ultimately, Salt Lake City. These relocations were to be the first of many, as the family's finances ebbed and flowed through the years. The difficulties of these moves were compounded by his mother's bouts with depression and severe PMS. A condition that was later treatable, but left Evans with a true sensitivity to the plights of others. Tracing his path from high school newspaper journalist, and missionary in Taiwan to entrepreneur, political campaign strategist, advertising executive, and first-time author, Evans recounts the challenges - financial, emotional, and spiritual - that he faced. But each of these undertakings were often motivated by his drive and passion of the time. He talks of his marriage to his wife, Keri, and of the birth of their daughters and how they inspired him to write The Christmas Box.
"The incredible story of Richard Paul Evans's journey to fulfill his destiny to ease the pain of others. After reading The Christmas Box Miracle, I have come to believe that a greater hand was at work here".
--Dave Pelzer, author of Help Yourself and A Child Called It
Evans tells of the story's origin, a tragedy that happened when he was three years old; his sister Sue was stillborn at nine months. No one ever spoke of the infant's death and his mother was never given a chance to mourn her. Evans discovered soon after the publication of The Christmas Box, because of its subject matter, the book resonates powerfully with parents who have lost children. As part of Evans' desire to provide a place of healing for his mother and other grief-stricken parents, he oversaw the building of the Christmas Box Angel Memorial, a statue placed in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, where people can go for solace after the loss of a child. There are now 23 Angels in the United States with plans for 80 more. Evans also launched The Christmas Box House Foundation, which is dedicated to building shelters and providing services for abused children.
"There's something magical about Richard Paul Evans' little book, The Christmas Box. Reading it has produced spiritual therapy for many who say it has healed their unseen, unspoken hurts."
--Jack Anderson
Since the publications of The Christmas Box, Evans has been approached numerous times during book signings and other public appearances by people who tell him that they have been drawn to seeing him or to reading his book. Hundreds of others have written him letters to share how the book has changed their lives. It is their remarkable, heartwarming stories that lie at the core of THE CHRISTMAS BOX MIRACLE, igniting our faith and restoring our belief in a power greater than we are. When he was twelve, Evans' grandfather offered him a blessing, telling him that someday he would "walk with the royalty of the earth and be known as one who loves God." Through the years, Evans returned to the words repeatedly for inspiration when he felt depressed or defeated, knowing that there was something great that he was destined to accomplish. Since becoming a #1 New York Times bestselling author, Evans has met the current First Family and former President Clinton, as well as other political and religious leaders, renowned journalists, athletes and sports legends, billionaires and business magnates.
"The world is a much better place because of people like Richard Paul Evans. After reading this, you'll come away feeling that anyone can make a difference. Bravo, Mr. Evans."
--David Baldacci, author of Wish You Well
In THE CHRISTMAS BOX MIRACLE, he writes, "My grandfather's words have come true. I have indeed walked with the royalty of the earth. I have since considered that there might be another meaning to the words of the blessing. Perhaps what was meant by 'royalty' was not, as I had always assumed, the powerful and famous of this world after all, but instead, the ordinary good people of this world who had endured the refiner's fire of loss and emerged as royal spirits." Certain to touch all those who read it, THE CHRISTMAS BOX MIRACLE again demonstrates Richard Paul Evans' uncanny ability to speak to the hearts and souls of people everywhere.
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