A Christmas Dozen - Reviews

A Christmas Dozen is small but loaded with goodies. My very favorite is “The Thumb Island Elephants”. It’s about a small coastal community in the early part of the 20th century which has five churches: Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Congregationalist, and the church where all the black people worship, Shiloh. There isn’t much of a feeling of “brothers and sisters in Christ” among the different parishes until one unusual Christmas Eve when a circus wagon crashes crossing the railroad track, trapping a female elephant and her baby inside. I also like “The Blessing Bell” about a tradition of ringing the church bell on Christmas Eve, and how a slightly younger brother helped his very ill twin fulfill his privilege of ringing the bell from his sickbed. “I also liked “Christmas Prayers” which is the humorous story of a friendly rivalry between good friends who happen to be a Catholic priest and a Methodist pastor. And “One Maine Christmas” tells how two boys made a new friend feel a part of the community at Christmas. Several stories from this longtime Methodist pastor have appeared in national magazines. As a UMC pastor myself, I really appreciate his talent!
— Dave “Doc” Kirby, PD and reviewer WTBF AM 970/FM 94.7 (Troy Broadcasting, Troy, AL)
Review aired on 12/24/03 on “Book Bit”, a daily review show promoting literacy

“Steve Burt enchanted our congregation last Advent by delightfully reading short stories from his book, A Christmas Dozen. In his writing, the adventures of oh-so-truthfully quirky and vivid New England characters come to life. It’s as though today’ssecular modern world and the sacred are combined in these little realistic and contemporary mysteries of hope. The stories have broad appeal. We had a Christmas reception following his hour of reading, and of course he gleefully autographed books to people—not to mention to their friends and family. He brought boxes of books with him, AND HE LEFT WITH NONE! A Christmas Dozen is sheer joy. The journeys of his characters have added deep meaning to my Christmas celebration. I was so moved by them that my wife and I gave a dozen books for Christmas last year, and we will do so again! I can’t help wanting to share these stories. I tell them in worship and even read them at Christmas parties. So many things distract us in your life. Read them again and again and again. Steve Burt also travels from his home in Connecticut to congregations and various secular and sacred organizations around the country. His words contain the delightful mystery of Emmanuel, the gift of God With Us.”
— Rev. David Reed-Brown, The First Baptist Church in Essex, CT

“Steve’s reading of his stories gave us a delightful evening of inspiration, humor, and insight that appealed to church members of all ages. In person he energized the room so that we all believed just a little more in the spirit of Christmas and the grace of God.”
-Rev. Sally McLean, Old Stone Church (UCC), East Haven, CT

“Our family loved listening to author Steve Burt read some of his Christmas stories at Wonderland Books in Putnam, CT. Even our youngest (4 years old) was mesmerized by the author’s delivery of his Christmas tales. We look forward to hearing him read again.”
— Jon & Sally Scott, Pomfret, CT

“I observed a roomful of women (the Eastern District Connecticut UCC Women’s Fellowship)—gathered for what they expected would be a routine fellowship Christmas program—instead listen spellbound, absolutely spellbound, to these timeless and challenging tales of life in the Christmas season. Steve brought the light of Christ into our sanctuary with his voice and a love for the characters who populate his stories.”
— Rev. Matt McCaffrey, First Congregational Church of Christ, New London, CT

“Through the sharing of his stories, Steve Burt gave extra meaning to our Christmas season’s church family gathering. His presence gave us all food for thought—a great complement to our fellowship dinner. We are thankful that the Christian storytelling tradition lives on through Steve and his thoughtful, inspiring work.”
— Rev. Chris Nichols, Congregational Church, Goshen, CT

“A Christmas Dozen is twelve gifts in one, each wrapped with a spirituality of which we all dream, personal stories to which we all relate, and a deep sense of divine presence. Best sermons I ever read! 12 gifts and 12 blessings!”
— Rev. Bill Frost, First Congregational Church, Norwich, CT

“I read your book and I appreciated the many stories, but there must have been a spell upon my copy. No sooner than it arrived, my wife picked it up off the table and took it to work. It has been traveling ever since. I was lucky to read it all at one time! I am hoping it returns soon because I have plans for its use during the Christmas season.”
— Rev. Glenn E. Davis, Immanuel United Church of Christ of Wright City, MO

“Once I picked up A Christmas Dozen I had a hard time putting it down because I enjoyed it so much. Those I gave it to as a gift couldn’t put it down either.”
— Alice Wright, United Methodist Church, White River Junction, VT

“Christmas Eve service is always a challenge to find a new and different story that will relate in a fresh way the message of the hope that the Christ Child brings. I like to use stories that people can relate to and yet draw them to a new level of understanding and connection with God. A Christmas Dozen was full of stories that I could use. I used several of them in the Christmas season, and people loved them! Thank you for your wonderful gift of storytelling.”
— Rev. Shannon White, Greenwich, CT

“A Christmas Dozen is a wonderful collection of stories of faith, hope and love that speak directly to our hearts about the trials, joys and surprise of our daily lives. These stories make real the message of Christmas. Burt’s style is such that he quickly draws you into the life of the characters and you always want to see what twists will occur that will lead to moments of hope and resolution. A delight to read—any time of the year.”
— Rev. Lee Ireland, First Congregational Church, North Stonington, CT

“I just wanted to thank you again for coming to our church with your Christmas read-aloud presentation. Your stories are entertaining, witty and inspirational. It was wonderful to see how you could hold the attention of an intergenerational group. Thank you again.”
— Rev. Gary W. Smith, First Congregational Church, Branford, CT