REBECCA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT tells how Caleb Wittner, a woodworker, has come to the Delaware community with his four-year-old daughter after his wife was killed in a fire, which left him scarred. As the preacher he understands that God was not to blame, and he is just grateful that his daughter Amelia was saved. He wants to start again, but life seems very challenging, even with good neighbours. After the barn raising he discovers Rebecca saving an abandoned katzenbaby or kitten, and he has to chuckle as he mentally calls her headstrong and unpredictable.

Among these good people we see that older or special needs family members are cared for in the community and that a mother of fifteen children has enough work to do running the home, even with labour-saving machinery. The women agree that a preacher should be married, and that little Amelia is running wild without a mother. This isn't what Rebecca has in mind when she agrees to take on a housekeeping job for Caleb. The more senior ladies are not sure that this is a respectable arrangement, even if Rebecca lives at home, so they drop over with plainer cooking; like all kinner Amelia has been going through eating phases.... maybe older, respectable, unmarried Dorcas should call on Caleb more often.

There's a lot of understated amusement running through Emma Miller's tale and she has a fine eye for detail, showing us the women's point of view. Here they may wear a blue dress but a kaap is still required, and Rebecca writes pieces for their local paper but does not sign her own name. Mennonite girl Grace is a fine contrast with more liberal customs. Dorcas cooks the strongest-tasting traditional foods which Caleb can't admit he dislikes. The cost of healthcare is another issue, and overall we can learn a lot about the strong family values of the Amish. REBECCA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT may not be what the girl was expecting, but the book is a lovely, readable inspirational romance.

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