Beautiful depiction of earthly struggles and eternal truths.

Aaaaaw, I love what Tim said to Fr. Charles! Keep writing!

This may be your best Father Charles yet! You have exposed a side many of us forget, priests, ministers, and rabbis are people too. Sometimes they struggle for answers as well. Do not doubt yourself, you have an interesting way of exposing people to God. Thanks for sharing.

I've not read the other stories in this series yet, but based on this one I'll be doing so soon. Very well done, of course, and very touching. Excellent work.

A beautiful story, EF! I love that Tim was the divinely-sent help that Fr. Charles needed this Christmas to help him work through his own crisis of faith and self-doubt. We encounter certain people in our lives for a reason. I do believe that! Thank you for the joy your stories bring to my life! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy and healthy New Year!

I love these stories. Being raised Catholic, much of what Father Charles talks about resonates with me. I have to admit that it's funny that Fr. Charles is working on Tim to convert. You almost expect it in every story. Thank you!

The look of surprise on Tim's face normally is funny, not only for Father Charles.

I love and cherish your Father Charles stories. Thank you for gifting us with them . . .

What a lovely gift to open on Christmas Eve! Thank you so much. I really like this series, I was blessed with a "Father Charles" at a low point in my life, and am still grateful for his influence decades later. Merry Christmas!

Excellent story EF! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

Nicely done. It's tough theme, precisely because no words can answer the profound grief and pain like this. Always glad to see Fr. Charles.

So sweet yet so sad. Losing someone at Christmas is hard but many of us have suffered this. I'm glad Tim could help Father Charles this time. I know a few priests and they are very human and can be very lonely so I like the friendship between Tim and Father Charles and hope to see more of this.

Mom
(I'll think of you tonight at Mass.)

Merry Christmas!

I say it every time you write something in this verse but I am not religious yet I still find myself drawn to the character of Father Charles. I think he's been good for Tim and its nice to see that Tim could return the favour. Thanks for sharing.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you. I think this IS one of your best Father Charles stories, particularly as it shows the human side of the man, when he grieves for the untimely death of that child. I love the interaction between Father Charles and Tim - it's clear that they are very good friends. Are you sure Tim is determined not to convert to catholicism? He certainly spends a great deal of time in a catholic church for one who doesn't practice that faith. A very welcome back to Father Charles and a particularly touching festive story.

This was beautiful
You may have not anticipated writing another story in this amazing series but perhaps like Tim who was there when Father Charles needed someone perhaps this was a needed story for one of your readers.

I love this series and will always read any new stories to it

Merry Christmas