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The First Miracle
Based on a short story that first appeared in Archer's bestselling collection A Quiver Full of Arrows, here is a beautifully illustrated Christmas treasure to delight children of all ages - one in which the story of the Nativity takes an unexpected turn. Full color.
29 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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240 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
626 books12.5k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2019
I remember beautiful illustrations, soft light, and a warm feeling.
December 10, 2010
Well for a book about 30 pages long it is just a joy to read. I have owned this book for about 16 years and just read it today. It's always been a part of my Christmas decorations at this time of year and that had been all.
This is a story of a 13-year old Roman boy and covers part of one day in his life. Like any rambuncious boy that age, he has broken something of his mothers (a jar) and has eaten his father's pomengrate. His mother asks her son to run into town to make a purchase for her and if he does so properly by not forgetting any item and bringing back the proper change she will kindly "forget about the jar and pomengrate" and not mention it to the boy's father in the evening upon his arrival. The boy is overjoyed! He repeats back the order and is off and running! He is an outsider amongst these locals and his father has warned him to be home before dark, so he is making haste running through the streets finding the items needed. He gathers the chicken, raisins, dates, and figs and is very proud of himself for getting so much change in return by following the lead he has learned from his father. He gives the merchants stern looks and they do not quarrel with this young lad, just hand over what he is expected along with his goods. His last items are two pomegrates. He finds the produce merchant and takes three, eating one right there and hands over the amount of coins he deems these require. The boy is very proud he has everything his mother wants and only spent one of the two coins given him. Knowing the night is coming soon he starts his journey home. Along the way he encounters a few spectacular and meaningful events. Upon arriving home very late he is scolded by his father and is asked where he has been and what has taken so long. The boy tells his story truthfully and the father does not believe him. He takes his belt and whips the boy. The mother stands weeping knowing there is nothing she can do for her son. The boy doesn't cry out or utter a word. once his father is done, he is sent to his room.
Not wanting to tell the entire short story and spoil it, it is here I shall say some of the important events have been left out of the middle of my review and end, but these are the parts that should be read and experienced yourself.
What I learned from this book, other than realizing I should have read this 19 years ago, is that although this is just a short fictional story, that all our lives are entwined and destiny-fate-whatever is at work in all of us. The life we live is like a dance choreographed by another. The important and meaningful things that happen are not by chance necessarily but part of our larger story.
This is a story of a 13-year old Roman boy and covers part of one day in his life. Like any rambuncious boy that age, he has broken something of his mothers (a jar) and has eaten his father's pomengrate. His mother asks her son to run into town to make a purchase for her and if he does so properly by not forgetting any item and bringing back the proper change she will kindly "forget about the jar and pomengrate" and not mention it to the boy's father in the evening upon his arrival. The boy is overjoyed! He repeats back the order and is off and running! He is an outsider amongst these locals and his father has warned him to be home before dark, so he is making haste running through the streets finding the items needed. He gathers the chicken, raisins, dates, and figs and is very proud of himself for getting so much change in return by following the lead he has learned from his father. He gives the merchants stern looks and they do not quarrel with this young lad, just hand over what he is expected along with his goods. His last items are two pomegrates. He finds the produce merchant and takes three, eating one right there and hands over the amount of coins he deems these require. The boy is very proud he has everything his mother wants and only spent one of the two coins given him. Knowing the night is coming soon he starts his journey home. Along the way he encounters a few spectacular and meaningful events. Upon arriving home very late he is scolded by his father and is asked where he has been and what has taken so long. The boy tells his story truthfully and the father does not believe him. He takes his belt and whips the boy. The mother stands weeping knowing there is nothing she can do for her son. The boy doesn't cry out or utter a word. once his father is done, he is sent to his room.
Not wanting to tell the entire short story and spoil it, it is here I shall say some of the important events have been left out of the middle of my review and end, but these are the parts that should be read and experienced yourself.
What I learned from this book, other than realizing I should have read this 19 years ago, is that although this is just a short fictional story, that all our lives are entwined and destiny-fate-whatever is at work in all of us. The life we live is like a dance choreographed by another. The important and meaningful things that happen are not by chance necessarily but part of our larger story.
July 18, 2012
What else can be expected from a master storyteller. Tomorrow it would be 1 AD !
Lord Archer manages to keep the pages turning fast and just when you think that the story is going nowhere and about to end it comes to you. One line of 9 words tell the tale. How effortlessly he blends fiction and faith can only be realized once you read this.
Simply unmatched, there are so many giveaways that makes you think that you have read or heard of this story before - but as I often say, no one does it like Lord Archer does.
Read it and you will realize miracles do happen. It's part of the short story collection, A Quiver Full of Arows. Read and enjoy.
Lord Archer manages to keep the pages turning fast and just when you think that the story is going nowhere and about to end it comes to you. One line of 9 words tell the tale. How effortlessly he blends fiction and faith can only be realized once you read this.
Simply unmatched, there are so many giveaways that makes you think that you have read or heard of this story before - but as I often say, no one does it like Lord Archer does.
Read it and you will realize miracles do happen. It's part of the short story collection, A Quiver Full of Arows. Read and enjoy.
July 3, 2013
I'm a fan of all Jeffrey Archer books and although I'm not a religious person by any means, I think he was able to tell a great story here, one that young and old alike can appreciate and learn from. Archer tells of Jesus' coming but with the usual Archer twist. Any fan of Archer should not pass this one up. It's a hard book to explain without spoiling some of the plots, just don't let the religious twist keep you from reading it if religion isn't your thing.
November 9, 2011
It's a story about a boy who was in Bethlehem when Virgin Mary and Joseph arrived. It's quite short and I was thinking what's the purpose of this story but -in the end- it does make you think about it. Good twist. I liked it.
January 2, 2011
A very different, little Christmas story with a surprising twist!
December 18, 2018
I love reading this story each year at Christmastime. Such wonderful Christian symbolism and gives a unique view of the Nativity.
Thanks, Mom, for introducing it to me almost 20 years ago.
Thanks, Mom, for introducing it to me almost 20 years ago.
December 19, 2020
A story involving the nativity scene as witnessed by a young and proud Roman lad and his encounter with Joseph and Mary as they enter the barn prior to the birth of Jesus. On his way back home from the busy market he also encounters the three wise men who seek the King of Kings, and witnesses the shepherds in the fields and the star as it shines in the sky. None of this bears any interest to the boy, but as the story ends the first miracle is revealed.
December 8, 2017
A dear friend gave me this book as it meant so much to him. It is a beautiful little piece of visual and written art. British author Jeffrey Archer crafts a quick little story of a lonely boy in a foreign land whose gift of generosity brings a small miracle-the first miracle. The plot twist is revealed in the final line. A wonderful Christmas gift and read.
July 3, 2019
I read this forever ago love love love it. Just a wonderful little book. A great gift too
A beautiful story!!!! You’ll be filled !
A beautiful story!!!! You’ll be filled !
December 25, 2021
Ohh... What a story. This story is not for children only. A story for every one. I read this story long back. I share the experience while I was reading the story with everybody.
December 29, 2021
This is one of my favorite Christmas books, short and clever, with a special twist at the end!
October 22, 2023
short quick read. interesting twist at the end
December 22, 2024
This is a wonderful story of the miracle of Jesus
December 12, 2025
I listened to the original short story and not the picture book in the Goodreads catalogue. There wasn’t much to like. Hopefully the picture book is much better.
December 5, 2023
Small, sad little book considering where the characters end 33 years later.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews