One Holy Night

by J M Hochstetler

Overview

Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year. It's 1967, and the Vietnam War is tearing the country apart, slicing through generations and shattering families. Because of Japanese atrocities he witnessed as a Marine in the South Pacific during WWII, Frank McRae despises all Asians. Now his son, Mike, is a grunt in Viet Nam, and his wife, Maggie, is fighting her own battle against cancer. When Mike falls in love with Thi Nhuong, a young Buddhist woman, and marries her in spite of his father's objections, Frank disowns him. Then, as Christmas approaches, Frank's world is torn apart, and he turns bitter, closing his heart to God and to his family.But what Frank doesn't know is that on this bleak Christmas Eve, God has in mind a miracle. As on that holy night so long ago, a baby will be born and laid in a manger-a baby who will bring forgiveness, peace, and healing to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss."

J. M. Hochstetler dug deep into the well of emotions and came up with a story that strikes the heartstrings in a tender and yet also provocative manner. The characters are so well drawn, they've stayed in my mind long after reading the book, almost as if they were real people that I've known for a long time. Being the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, I also appreciated Hochstetler's gentle handling of one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history. And even though it's set during the Vietnam era, there are lessons to be learned and truths to be taken away from this beautifully crafted story for today. Highly recommended." -Kaye Dacus, author of Follow the Heart

"Amazingly, Hochstetler tackles several big issues--love, loyalty, war and death--while maintaining a positive thesis. Family can survive. Human love is grander in weakness than in strength. And faith is, by necessity, stronger in tragedy than in triumph. One Holy Night is a soon-to-be-classic miracle story with an inspirational message that will warm your heart with love. It is a wonderful statement of faith and a gift of hope. -Kathy Harris, author of The Road to Mercy

"Within its pages you will discover the most beautiful modern-day essence of Christ's nativity, mercy, and grace you've read in a very long while! As the story unfolds its final scenes, the reader is left with renewed hope in God's sovereign design for each of our lives and His miraculous ability to bring good out of even the darkest circumstances." -Kim Ford, Window to My World Blog

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936438242
Publisher:	Sheaf House
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

An award-winning author and editor, J. M. Hochstetler is the daughter of Mennonite farmers, a graduate of Indiana University, a professional editor, and a lifelong student of history. She is the author ofthe American Patriot Series, the only comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution.Her contemporary novel One Holy Night was the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year and finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Carol Award.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“J. M. Hochstetler makes another mark on Christian fiction with One Holy Night, a moving and inspirational tale of family, love, war, prejudice, and heart-wrenching loss. Though I’m not usually interested in stories set during the Vietnam war, I quickly became caught up in the lives of Hochstetler’s characters and felt their joy, pain, and struggle to either hold tight to their faith or open their heart to God. Warning: The deeper you journey into this painfully honest tale, the more you’ll need a ginormous box of tissues close by. Very recommended!”—Tamara Leigh, bestselling author of The Redeeming

“J. M. Hochstetler dug deep into the well of emotions and came up with a story that strikes the heartstrings in a tender and yet also provocative manner. The characters are so well drawn, they’ve stayed in my mind long after reading the book, almost as if they were real people that I’ve known for a long time. Being the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, I also appreciated Hochstetler’s gentle handling of one of the most tumultuous times in our country’s history. And even though it’s set during the Vietnam era, there are lessons to be learned and truths to be taken away from this beautifully crafted story for today. Highly recommended.”—Kaye Dacus, author of Follow the Heart

“Since savoring the last page of J. M. Hochstetler’s story, I have found myself revisiting the characters regularly as if they were members of my own family. The rich characterization and lush description place the reader comfortably in the midst of the story setting: the heartland of America near the end of the Vietnam War. Any reader who can’t relate to this turbulent era in U.S. history will grow in understanding, and those who lived during that time will be reminded of the division it created.Amazingly, Hochstetler tackles several big issues—love, loyalty, war and death—while maintaining a positive thesis. Family can survive. Human love is grander in weakness than in strength. And faith is, by necessity, stronger in tragedy than in triumph.One Holy Night is a soon-to-be-classic ‘miracle story’ with an inspirational message that will warm your heart with love. It is a wonderful statement of faith and a gift of hope.”—Kathy Harris, author of The Road to Mercy

“One Holy Night is powerful yet gentle in both its method and message. Set in the 1960s amidst the divisiveness of an unpopular war, a family’s very faith and foundations are tested as memories and cultures collide. Hochstetler’s “lighting the past . . . and leading you home” signature couldn’t be more appropriate than in this sacred tale of hope rising sweetly from the ashes of sorrow. . . .”—Kathi Macias, author of Last Chance for Justice

“Author J. M. Hochstetler has crafted a story that will drive us to tears but also lift our spirits at the same time. It is a ‘family’ story that all readers can enjoy and one to which they can relate in some way. Each person described in the story comes alive and takes his/her place in the order of things. The author even brings in side characters to flesh out the story and she does it with inventiveness and skill.”—Jackie Cooper, author of Back to the Garden: The Goal of the Journey

“Provocative and insightful, One Holy Night shows in rich detail how God can use the most trying circumstances to bring people around until they see how much they need each other, and need Him. This life-changing story will move you to tears as you experience the humility of a young Vietnamese woman, her husband’s desire to see his father heal, and the trials that bring them together in one desperate attempt to save another’s life.”—Michelle Sutton, author of Somebody Love Me

“Author J. M. Hochstetler depicts a family in crisis during the Vietnam years. Tenderly written and poignant, One Holy Night is relevant to our lives today. The ending moved me to tears.”—Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, author of A Crown in the Stars

“Within [these] pages you will discover the most beautiful modern-day essence of Christ’s nativity, mercy, and grace you’ve read in a very long while. . . . As the story unfolds its final scenes, the reader is left with renewed hope in God’s sovereign design for each of our lives and His miraculous ability to bring good out of even the darkest circumstances. [Hochstetler] richly captures the turmoil surrounding the lives of those affected by the Viet Nam War, and the many emotional conflicts that raged on as a result of that war.”—Kim Ford, Window to My World blog

“One Holy Night contains a miracle that can change even the hardest of hearts. I was impressed at how Hochstetler let her characters talk about their faith to unbelievers without proselytizing. It's a perfect novel for Christmas with a story full of hope and love.”—Christy Lockstein, Christy’s Book Blog

Editorial Reviews

"One Holy Night by J.M. Hochstetler is a powerful novel of anger and redemption. The McRae family is facing serious crises in 1966. Frank and Maggie are facing the deployment of their son Mike to Vietnam while Maggie is fighting ovarian cancer. The events of the next thirteen months will leave them all changed forever, including their daughter Julie and her husband Dan. Hochstetler unflinchingly portrays the anger of bigotry and its effects through Frank. His words are difficult to read, but the author uses them to at first define and then eventually redeem the character. One Holy Night contains a miracle that can change even the hardest of hearts. I was impressed at how Hochstetler let her characters talk about their faith to unbelievers without proselytizing. It's a perfect novel for Christmas with a story full of hope and love." —Christy Lockstein, Christy’s Book Blog

"Within these pages you will discover the most beautiful modern-day essence of Christ’s nativity, mercy, and grace you’ve read in a very long while. Set amid the turmoil of the Viet Nam War, the McRae family’s story is one riddled with difficult situations and trials that rock the foundation of their faith. Frank is particularly torn as his son leaves for a war he doesn’t believe in, and his wife Maggie must engage in a fight for her very life against an unseen enemy. Frank is still battling his own nightmares from his time fighting in the Pacific during WWII. The battle rages around Frank on every front. Will God equip him for the battle or allow him to be destroyed on the battlefield? The final battle is waged in Frank’s heart and mind during a Christmas Eve blizzard. The decision he makes that night determines life or death for two innocent people. As the story unfolds its final scenes, the reader is left with renewed hope in God’s sovereign design for each of our lives and His miraculous ability to bring good out of even the darkest circumstances. One Holy Night was my introduction to J. M. Hochstetler’s work, and I have to tell you it was really terrific! She richly captures the turmoil surrounding the lives of those affected by the Viet Nam War, and the many emotional conflicts that raged on as a result. I look forward to reading her other books, and I highly recommend this one to you!" —Kim Ford, Window to My World blog

From the Publisher