The inscription of the book, "The Christmas Box," reads, "For my sister Sue. Whom I love and I miss."
Sue was the little sister of the book's author, Richard Paul Evans. She was stillborn when Brother Evans was 2 years old.For the thousands of readers of the "The Christmas Box," Sue seems to have become somewhat symbolic of loss in their lives - especially the loss of a child. But more important, the story dedicated to Sue seems to have become a balm of hope and healing, at least according to Brother Evans' many encounters since the book was first published in 1993.
"There is a mission here, and I see miracles happen on a daily basis," said the author, who is currently on a 31-city book tour throughout the United States and Canada. Originally, Brother Evans self-published the book, but after the book was included on the New York Times Bestsellers List, Simon & Schuster bought the rights. The book is currently available in more than 30 countries and is printed in 13 different languages. The Spanish version is the number one Simon & Schuster book in America. In addition, "The Christmas Box" has been made into a CBS movie. (Please see article on this page.)
During a telephone interview from New York City, Brother Evans seemed awed and even a bit overwhelmed at the book's phenomenal success. "I would be a fool to think I did this on my own. I have so much divine intervention. The Spirit opens doors."
Those doors first opened just before Christmas in 1992, the author related. At the time, he and his wife, Keri, had two daughters, Jenna, then 7; and Allyson, 5. (Since then, they have added Abigail Hope, 11 months.)
"Initially, I sat down to write a story for Jenna and Ally," recalled Brother Evans, who used his own family's names in the book. "I wanted them to understand my love for them as a father. That's when the miracle began because the story started to write itself. It would just flood into my mind in torrents of inspiration. It would wake me up in the middle of the night. Once I pulled off the freeway and wrote an entire chapter. I wrote on the back of envelopes and bills and any paper I could find in the car.
"Then one day at 4 in the morning the story woke me up. I went to the kitchen table and started to write. A few moments later, I began to cry because I understood for the first time the story was about the pain my mother felt over losing a child."
After completing the story, Brother Evans made 20 copies for family and close friends. "The response was greater than I had imagined," he related. "Over the next four weeks, those 20 copies were read by more than 160 people."
After several publishing companies rejected the book, Brother and Sister Evans decided to self-publish. "Where we thought we'd sell 3,000 books over the 1993 Christmas season, we sold 3,000 a day."
Brother Evans becomes quiet and emotional when speaking of the many people who have related to him how their lives have been touched by "The Christmas Box."
"Constantly, there are people who come to see me. Within 30 seconds, I find out that they had just lost a child."
Brother Evans has also been able to share the gospel. He related that after the book was first printed by Simon & Schuster, many Christian bookstores banned it because it had been written by a Mormon. Now, he related, ministers have told him they have given copies of the book to members of their congregations.
One of Brother Evan's more profound moments occurred while flying to Atlanta, Ga. "There was this big, burly guy. He said, Are you Christian?'Yes,' I answered. `Put it there,' " the man said, extending his hand.
After visiting, Brother Evans gave the man a copy of the book, and he immediately read it. "At the end, he was crying. `What denomination are you?' "
Brother Evans answered.
"His jaw just dropped. He was speechless. After a few moments, he asked, Do all Mormons feel this way?'They should,' I answered. This is consistent with our doctrine.' He said,I need to rethink all this.' "
Brother Evans added: "I spent time in long discussions about my Church and my beliefs."
