The Coachman & the Bells

Ted C. Hindmarsh

Review

Joe Turner hates Christmas. He's a young, self-made executive who's gained independence, influence and wealth through his hard work and efforts. But even though all that should have made him a happy man, his life is cold, empty, and devoid of real meaning. His few friends have no idea how to help him enjoy life. And the Christmas season certainly isn't lifting his spirits!

Then Joe meets a strangely dressed old Christmas coachman who makes him an unusual promise: if Joe will give of himself willingly, he'll hear the Bells of Christmas ring in his heart, and his life will be changed forever. Despite his cynicism, Joe senses something trustworthy in the man's twinkling eyes and decides to try his proposal. Assuming that giving money away is the best way to give of one's self, Joe starts to pass out part of his wealth to beggars in a poor part of town. Instead of Christmas Bells, all he hears are complaints, criticism, and lies from those he has tried to help.

Things go from bad to worse when Joe gets mugged. In his quest to find the thief he winds up spending Christmas Eve in jail. But when Joe discovers the identity of one of his cellmates, he finds that his life will never be the same again.

The magic of Christmas and the meaning of true charity come alive in this heartwarming story of hope and love, a wonderful book for families to read together. The Coachman and the Bells is a memorable tale of the spirit of Christmas.

Table of Contents

1. Joe Turner’s Emptiness, 9

2. The Coachman, 15

3. Commitment, 23

4. The Party, 28

5. Another View of Christmas, 31

6. The Gifts, 37

7. The Checkered Coat, 42

8. The Christmas Eve Jail, 46

9. The Bells, 55

Epilogue, 61

Sample Page

"What in the sam hill do you think this is? No! I absolutely will not give to your lousy charity! Christmas comes around and you guys use it as an annual excuse to rip off honest, hard-working people! It's legalized, traditional robbery! I'm fed up with the likes of you and the way you take advantage of what is supposed to be a spiritual event to bilk your fellowman of his hard-earned cash! Now get out of here before I call building security and have you thrown out! And don't come back next year either!"
The volume that bellowed from the young executive permeated the outer office and seemed to shake the windows. The dozen employees who sat at their desks buried their eyes in their work and pretended not to notice the two strangers hurrying out the door nor the color of their boss's face. Its rage-reddened hue exaggerated his boyish brown-blond hair, and his blue eyes seemed to shoot fire as he yelled after the two hapless fund raisers.
Christmas had never been Joe's favorite time of year. He wasn't personally religious or sentimental by nature. He was too practical, he thought. But neither did he appreciate what he called the "outrageous commercialism" of something that was obviously very special to a lot of other people and ought to be kept more sacred, for their sake if for nothing else, and he reasoned that for a red-blooded businessman that was quite a concession.
Joe knew that he wasn't recognized for his generosity, although he didn't feel that he was exactly stingy either. It was just a matter of professional horse sense. At least that was what he repeatedly told himself. He gave often, and he thought quite abundantly. For example, he'd made a substantial pledge to the high school band car wash. So what if he had the franchise on band uniforms? All his "gifts" were shrewdly placed where they were likely to "do the most good." But that was just sound business practice, right?
But something wasn't right, and Joe wasn't stupid. Deep down, when he uncomfortably faced the issue, he knew that as successful as he had been at business, he had never been a hit with people. He couldn't handle close personal relationships. He was often heard to say that the hard, cold business world had taught him that people couldn't be trusted; the only one he could really count on was himself.
Joe considered himself to be quite gentle normally, but he also took pride in his intensity. He was a survivor! Life in the big city jungle had taught him to be tough. Getting and keeping success in this crazy world took "guts" and "savvy." He had struggled and he had triumphed; even if it was at the sacrifice of those sensitive, personal elements that most men take for granted.
The more Joe walked and pondered, the more he tried to convince himself that he was really not that bad off. So he felt some uneasiness. Nobody could have everything. After all, he was making it, and he was proud of it. He had done it all on his own so far, and if that's the way it had to be, then that's just how it would have to be!
But then, from way down deep in a part of his heart that refused to be penetrated by all that worldly reasoning, a realization forced its way to the surface that if he was ever to be truly happy in this life, something basic was going to have to change.
He was willing. Oh my, was he ever willing; if some way, he could only get a handle on that emptiness. He had to get a handle on it. He hadn't let it trouble him before, but he wasn't getting any younger. He had to find a way to erase that terrible alienation from humanity before it consumed him.

	Order Information

Title: The Coachman & the Bells Author: Ted C. Hindmarsh Retail Price: $5.98 Available: Now ISBN: 0-88290-340-3 Order Number (SKU): 1973 Pages: 64 Size: 5.5" X 8.5" Binding: Paperback