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Summary: A True Spiritual Read!
Review: The eighth novel in the bestselling Mitford Years is a meditation on the best of all presents-the gift of one's heart. Lovingly written and beautifully illustrated, it seeks to restore the true Christmas spirit and give everyone a seat at Mitford's holiday table.Since he was a boy growing up in Mississippi, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind." Except for cooking, gardening, and washing his dog, he never learned to savor the work of his hands. And then he finds a derelict nativity scene, including a flock of sheep, that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect. The question is, can he give this assembly new life? Restore the camel's ear, repaint every piece, replace an angel's missing wing? "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," he reminds himself. Besides, it's his wife who's the artist in the family. Then he imagines the excitement in Cynthia's eyes, and steps up to the plate, beginning a small journey of faith that touches the hearts of everyone around him.
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Summary: Perspective
Review: The encouragement and peace I enjoy most when reading a Mitford story are all here in Shepherds Abiding. I have not been disappointed with the length of the book as some of the other reviewers. Instead I have been thrilled because I have been comparing the length of this holiday season release with the two previous holiday books by Jan Karon, Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift. Several months ago I understood that there would be one final novel in the Mitford Series--and I believe that is still the case with release projected for 2005, and so considered the release of Sheperds Abiding a wonderful surprise. It is a wonderful reflection on the holiday season.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed
Review: The first review described my feelings exactly. There is no plot in this book and very little substance. And I was very very bored by the end. Painting shepherds is not a compelling enough plot.
Rating: 
Summary: An Enjoyable Read for Any Time of the Year
Review: The Mitford books have served up slices of small town life now for more than a half a dozen years, and as the well-loved series winds down, Jan Karon focuses this full-sized novel, SHEPHERDS ABIDING, on "the most wonderful time of the year" --- Christmas. Miford lovers know that the plot of the books is not the point; rather, it's the enjoyable escape into the daily exploits of the Mitford characters that keeps the pages turning. This latest installment is no exception. The narrative revolves around Father Tim's restoration of an old, battered nativity set, which he hopes to complete for his wife Cynthia as a surprise for Christmas. As he painstakingly sands the plaster figures, uncovering their natural beauty, he also uncovers a surprising talent for working creatively with his hands. When a nativity piece must be discarded because it is damaged beyond repair, Father Tim also discards some of his fondest dreams for the future --- and creates some new ones. The restoration of the figures becomes symbolic of Father Tim's personal restoration as he enjoys his retirement. "He felt a happy contentment flowing up in him, as a spring from a hidden source," Karen writes. Meanwhile, Cynthia is busy with her own Christmas surprise, which will offer Father Tim some consolation after a desolating accident. There's something especially endearing about the late-in-life love between Father Tim and Cynthia, who are aging well, yet aging nonetheless. With poignancy, Father Tim discovers that one of the gifts of growing old is recapturing lost memories. He finds himself reminiscing about past Christmases with his mother and father, and remembering the lonely and imaginative child that he had been. Some tender recollections of his indifferent father also resurface. A solid underpinning of hope anchors all of the Mitford novels, and the hope SHEPHERDS ABIDING offers seems to be that the last part of life is to be anticipated. But this is no serious Christmas tale. As with all of the Mitford novels, there's plenty of gentle humor. "Just think! All that misery over taxes," Cynthia observes of the holy family's journey to Bethlehem. Father Tim answers, "Some things never change." And indeed, in some ways, life hasn't changed much in Mitford, although the characters are older and their circumstances are a little different. Dooley Barlowe is away at university, and Louella Baxter Marshall is at Hope House retirement center, baking biscuits and ordering her Christmas presents online. Uncle Billy and Rose Watson exemplify committed love in the face of hardship. The search continues for Dooley's missing little brother Kenny, which will likely be wrapped up in the last book of the series. A few changes are afoot. The Grill is closing, and there's a light shining through the windows above the Happy Endings bookstore, now the home of its new owner. Puny is pregnant with twins --- again. However, there is a sense that the series is winding down, and the Mitford years are drawing toward a gentle close. After bringing more than 15 million copies of Karon's books to readers, Viking will publish THE MITFORD COOKBOOK AND KITCHEN READER next year; then the last novel in the Mitford series, LIGHT FROM HEAVEN, in 2005. The endearing nature of SHEPHERDS ABIDING, as with other Mitford titles, is that you find a point of connection to all its characters. Father Tim is the pastor you've always wanted; Uncle Billy and his aging wife Rose are the eccentric elderly relatives the family jokes about but loves; Hope is the single gal everyone is rooting for to find a guy who deserves her; and Dooley is that kid who came from bad circumstances, but you know has promise. Through Karon's eyes, Mitford is really our town --- like Andy Griffith's Mayberry, it is full of homespun wisdom plunked down with enough subtlety to make it palatable, but still obvious enough that we don't miss it. Readers should find SHEPHERDS ABIDING a peaceful entrée into the Christmas season, and an enjoyable read all year round. --- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
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Summary: A visit with a favorite set of characters and fictional town
Review: There is no way to compare this latest Karon trip to Mitford to her earlier series. Although of a rather nice size, this is strictly a visit with the beloved retired rector and his wife and the aging community that is so familiar to Mitford fans. I did not expect this volume to end up making a startling set of plot outcomes, and it didn't, but I found the whole read comforting. It was good to go back home to Mitford and follow the seasonal advance on Christmas with surprise presents being prepared for giving. I am glad that I bought this volume: a relaxing, restful, reassuring interval in other reading. I recommend it to those devoted to Karon's wonderful characters. You will certainly laugh and smile and rejoice in the down-to-earth experiences with all the good folk in Karon's fictional town. This book is Karon's Christmas card to her fans. So lovely and happily received!
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Summary: Christmas in Mitford
Review: This book is another charming installment in the Mitford series. It is similar to "A Common Life" in that it is more of a novella rather than a substantial novel like the others in the series. Nevertheless, it is a great read. The story is nice and most all of the regular Mitford characters are included. While I certainly wish the book had been longer, every visit to the town of Mitford is a pleasure!
Rating: 
Summary: Shepherds Abiding
Review: This is a cozy, quick read...and should get you in the mood for the holiday season. However, IF you have not read the earlier books in this series you will be at a loss as to some of the relationships and their importance to the community. Many of the continuing characters are mentioned only by first names and then just briefly. This is a book that only die hard fans of Mitford will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Shepherds Abiding
Review: This is a marvelous Christmas story which includes many of our friends from the previous Mitford books. I particularly enjoyed the lack of tension and strife in Father Tim's life in this book. Yes, he's busy and nearly overwhelmed, but the deep unhappiness he experiences in so many of the other books is wonderfully lacking in this one, making it my favorite.
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Summary: a wonderful start to the holiday season
Review: This is a wonderful story that will definitely get you excited for the holiday season. It's a quick read, but a sweet tale that reminds us to appreicate the real meaning for Christmas, and also to appreciate the little things that people do for us. I highly recommend it - don't go in thinking it's a regular long epic, just a sweet reminder of the holidays from our favorite characters.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiration
Review: This is the first book in Jan karon's series that I have read.The story was very inspiring.The story was very easy to read an understand. I would recommend this book!
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