In UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS, prolific novelist Lori Copeland spins a slim faith-filled story of an overloaded mom and the true meaning of the holiday.
Copeland’s protagonist, Rose, is a 38-year-old mother with teens who doesn’t know how to say no. “I guess I could” is her ever-present mantra when asked to do anything at church, at home, or for her Minnesota community. The tension of feeling that she needs to do “the Lord’s work” is running her life. If anyone needs a casserole, a volunteer shift, a voice in the choir, or a shoulder to cry on, Rose is there to meet their needs. Anyone’s needs, that is, but her own family’s.
She knows Christmas “should be more than frantic activities, hectic crowds, and overworked husbands… it wasn’t that she didn’t want to slow down, but life got in the way… she was do busy doing Christmas, there wasn’t time to experience Christmas.”
As the story progresses, Rose’s husband accuses her of neglecting her family. But, muses Rose, trouble had never touched them yet. After Christmas she promises herself that she’ll get things back in order. After Christmas they’ll eat dinner together, she’ll have time to really talk with her kids, and she and Joey will get their marriage back to where it used to be. After Christmas….
But she finds herself praying, “Dear God, why do I feel so worn, so empty, so tired? I spend every waking moment doing what I can, but my efforts amount to sifted chaff, they’re meaningless….” Shouldn’t all her busy-ness be making her feel good? Over-committed readers will resonate.
As Rose continues to say “yes,” you’ll see what’s coming. Of course, things fall apart before Christmas, and Rose is forced to come face to face with the consequences of her busy-ness. Anna is