A miracle once saved her life ~ will another give her a future?Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed…and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos.Nikolaos … Nikolaos.
Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires…and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too.
Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus’s father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters ~ even at the cost of herself.
As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord’s greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others…and a centuries-long tradition will be born.
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This is a wonderful historical fiction Christmas story!
I was captivated by the first meeting we have with Cyprus Visibullis. She is a spunky girl who gets herself in trouble a few times in this book. It was upsetting to me to realize how daughters were viewed by their fathers. There were a number of times that I wanted to slap her father because of how he spoke to Cyprus and her sisters. I really liked how Cyprus and her two sisters stuck together and supported each other.
I was fascinated by Nikolaos. He had such a solid relationship with God that I felt encouraged in my own relationship with Him. I had heard that Santa Claus was based on Saint Nicholas before. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the real man that evolved into Santa. I liked seeing the beginning of some of the traditions that began in other cultures too.
A fascinating history
My rating is 4.5 stars
I’ve come to expect that historical stories from Roseanna M. White don’t merely take place at another time but teach history. What a pleasure it was to learn more about the Christian church in Greece in the 4th Century A.D. and about where a Christmas tradition came from in Giver of Wonders.
I was so touched by the incredible sacrifices Cyprus and Petros were willing to make for others. Cyprus for her sisters, Petros for Cyprus. They were such amazing examples of agape love!
The insight into the mindset of the Hellenists was fascinating. It was shocking to think that Cyprus’ father would have abandoned her to death if she hadn’t been healed was shocking and yet consistent with what I have heard taught about the culture in that day. I also learned a little more about dowries and the legalities tied to them. Wow!
I loved the depth of the characters and the way I felt that I truly knew them. Nik’s love for the Lord and his humility despite the gift of healing he was blessed with was wonderful. He struggled over how to handle the wealth he had, which he wanted to share with those in need against the advice of the Bishop, his uncle. I have to admit, I vacillated between thinking his uncle just wanted to keep the money for the church and realizing the wisdom of his thoughts. And was so thrilled with the solution Nik came up with!
It was quite fascinating to read about the early believers who didn’t yet have access to the compilation of scriptures we know of as the Bible. The oral traditions that were passed down and the codecs they had access to were interesting. I also loved hearing the explanation of why we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. And it isn’t the reason many often cite, to coincide with the celebration of Saturnalia, the pagan holiday. I don’t want to give it away here because you will want to read this beautiful story and learn for yourself.
This is a lovely story with great spiritual insight. I highly recommend it!
Read my review of Giver of Wonders by Roseanna M. White at AmongTheReads.net
Giver of Wonders captured my attention and drew me into the stories of each of the three main characters from the very start. Immediately within meeting Cyrpus, Petros, and Nik, I felt that I knew them. Ms. White was quick to show their commonalities, the things that drew them together as well as some of their very distinguishing characteristics such as Cyprus’s rashness and impatience, Petros’ joy and humor in life, and Nik’s solid calling. And she demonstrated rather than tell. The side characters are equally well done. I felt as though I were taken back to that very time as I read. It was such a thought provoking thing to really consider what life might have been like for Christians then, to see them as real people and not just as faceless members of history. The true natures and characters of the players in the story are revealed through the struggles they face. There are characters that made me stop and say, “I want to trust God like that.” And yet others that made me see that I would not want to follow the path they had chosen. I couldn’t help but think, “Who am I in this story?” Someone in this story is probably going through the feelings you yourself are having or have had at some point and I think you will identify with the characters on multiple levels.
I love it when the author makes me FEEL every emotion, every detail as I read and that is, without a doubt, accomplished in this book. You will feel what the characters feel—their devastation, desperation, anger, determination, joy, their struggles with their faith as God works to draw them near and strengthen them. Cyprus’ own struggle with wondering about God’s purpose for her struck close to home. How often do we feel like Cyprus—unsure of the Lord’s purpose for us, unsure if what we are doing has “enough” purpose or is noble or good enough, feeling like there must be something greater to be done and that what we are doing maybe isn’t enough?
Every aspect of this book drew me in, from the characters to the emotions to the setting to the spot on truths exhibited. It’s hard to even describe how wonderfully done this book is and the impact it had on me as I read. It is filled to overflowing with rich, Biblical truths woven into the story. It’s as if it’s really many stories, many aspects all incredibly painted into an intricate masterpiece. It’s not just a story of faith or romance or struggle or hope or truth. It’s all those threads interwoven to make a beautiful yet strong piece.
It’s the story:
~of those times in our lives when we face hardship that God has allowed for His ultimate will and glory to be accomplished. You know—those circumstances where you wonder, “God, what are You doing here? What good could possibly ever come from this?” But then, He does something magnificent. He makes the ugly, the broken in our lives beautiful through the very hardship that seemed at one time like it might be impossible to overcome.
~of sacrifice, of loving others above yourself.
~of surrender, of letting go, of giving yourself up to His plan as He guides, of knowing that He will provide, of obedience in the midst of trial and struggle and adversity.
~of seeking God’s will above your own, of trusting Him to come through for you.
~of when He is truly your only hope and you must rely on Him as you never have before.
~of how He speaks to us, guides us, uses us to minister to others.
~of choosing to forgive and to love even when you’ve been hurt, of not allowing hurt and bitterness to fester and hinder.
~of overcoming through the work and power of the Holy One, of allowing Him to guide you in each step taken, of learning to hear His voice.
~that demonstrates the mighty hand of God at work even long ago to put into action things that would answer the needs you would have in the future.
“O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” ~Isaiah 25:1
Giver of Wonders is an engaging and thought provoking book. It’s one of those books that I feel like I will need to read many times in order to soak up the many depths and layers and richness and truths in it. In it, you’ll find a book that will cause you to stop and wonder over the Giver of Wonders and the beautiful Biblical truths woven in will resonate as you read. Every inch of this book points to the Giver of Wonders and the precious work of His hands that He does for us, in us, and through us. I am thankful and blessed to have had the chance to read this book.
P.S.-I highly recommend checking out the Author’s Note at the end of the book.
**I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.