The Light at Tern Rock

When the lighthouse keeper, Mr Flagg, comes to Mrs Morse, the elderly widow of a previous lighthouse keeper, and asks her to fill in for him so he can take an extended vacation to visit family right before Christmas, she has her excuses ready.

But she really did love that rock out in the sea,

so his persuasive entreaties eventually wear her down. Since she is responsible for her nephew, Ronnie, he will have to come too.

At first, the lighthouse is exciting and different and interesting. Everyday, Ronnie and Aunt Martha have to polish the lens, wind the clockwork, and pump the oil. There was cleaning for Aunt Martha to do and  fishing for Ronnie. There were two hours of schoolwork sent by the schoolmaster for Ronnie to do in the afternoon. And of course, every night at dusk they climbed the iron stairs to light the lamp. The quiet evenings were spent with games and books.

The time quickly passes but then the day scheduled for Mr Flagg's arrival comes and goes and he doesn't return. They give him the benefit of the doubt. Ronnie and Aunt Martha must continue to care for the light and fill their days with worthwhile activities. Another week passes and now Christmas is approaching. On December 23^rd, Ronnie and Aunt Martha polish the lighthouse until it shines. As they are rummaging around on the upper floor of the lighthouse, they come across a seaman's chest with a Christmas note on it for them. Inside are treats and treasures from all over the world. Mr Flagg was obviously planning for them to be on the island for much longer than they anticipated.

Ronnie is angry at this obvious betrayal, this planned-out betrayal.

But sensible Aunt Martha calms his rage and averts a temper tantrum with her gift of a forgiving attitude. As maternal figures are wont to do, somehow she manages to make the days leading up to Christmas festive and special. And together, on Christmas Eve, Ronnie and Aunt Martha light the biggest light of all for the Christ-child to find his way.

This one has been on my shelf for years and I finally picked it up after realizing it was set at Christmas time. And am I glad I did!

This is the old fashioned Christmas that many of us have been craving.

This is the meaning of Christmas, the development of a quiet and contented spirit in a land of desolation, the readiness and awe of waiting with expectation for the return of the Christ-child.

While it's not an overtly “Christian” book, many references are made to the Christ-child coming to the world on Christmas Eve, being ready for the Christ-child, giving the Christ-child the gift of cleanliness and a cheerful spirit. It was written in 1951 but really, in tone, sounds a lot like the classic literature of the last half of the 19^th century.

True, a lie is told and a terrible trick is played, but an apology is begged for, and the end result is character growth and contentment.

This is a short book, a great “starter” chapter book for your emerging reader.

CONTENT CONSIDERATIONS

Ronnie is an orphan apparently, but no reference is made to his parents or his situation.

Martha wonders if Mr Flagg has the “wisdom of the serpent” because he has tempted her (to go back to the lighthouse) against her better judgment.