Discuss family. Why is family important? Who makes a family? Can a family consist of people who are not related? Why is family important to this novel?

Why does Mary invite Richard and Keri to come live with her? Does Mary really need Keri to cook and clean for her? If so, why does she hire out some of the heavier chores? Is Mary really looking for a family of her own? Why does she not invite a friend or relative to move in with her?

Discuss the Christmas story. What do you think was the first gift of Christmas? Why does Mary think it was the love of a parent for her child? What in the story of Christ's birth suggests this? Do you think love is really a gift or do you think it is something that parents are just suppose to...