Author Description

Christmas in Our Time is Gerald Toner’s first collection in twelve years to examine the unique and often bittersweet Christmas season that now falls anytime between November and December. This time, Toner’s tales explore characters and settings not often found in Christmas literature, while he continues his exploration of Christmas as a time filled with turbulent emotions and issues begging resolution.<br/>From business types snowbound in a typical Courtyard Marriott to a gas station panhandler, from a politically conservative farm family in western Kentucky to a gritty homeless beggar and an aging lawyer called back to service by his church, Toner explores the redemption brought in quiet ways through the spirit of the season.<br/>Toner’s tales skillfully fill an ever-widening chasm between the romantic Christmases of Hallmark and the uberviolent films Hollywood sets during Christmas. We believe his pen pal as a young adult, Frank Capra, would be pleased with the result.<br/>Miracles come in all shapes and sizes during the Christmas season. More often than not, they go nearly unnoticed. Through 40 years and more of exploring the actions and emotions of everyday people during the holidays, Gerald Toner has shown a bright spotlight on small events with larger meaning. So it is again with Christmas in Our Time. There are presents and Christmas trappings and even the spirit we call Santa Claus in these short stories, but their appearance is subtle and often secondary to a larger message.<br/>These tales are for readers of every age, and especially for adults and youth who have too soon surrendered the joy of Christmas to the youngest among us.