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A Man Whose Name was Joseph
Screams were coming from everywhere. A fetid odor smothered the air like a heavy, stench soaked blanket. Evidence from the slaughter of male children was at every turn.
Joseph cautiously tried to keep Mary in the night shadows. Since being forced into the open Bethlehem street, a sliver of light from a shamed moon was their only guide.
Then Joseph's heart froze, and his breath choked in his throat. Roman Soldiers were approaching from all directions, carrying torches and blood stained swords. To make matters worse, a goat tied near them was bleating loudly, gaining attention.
Joseph spun his head, looked into Mary's eyes, and swallowed hard. Mary stared back, her brows furrowed, forming deep wrinkles in her forehead. Her body was visibly shaking. Her hands grasping the sleeping child wrapped in a sheet, clutched in her arms. Her chin began to tremble and her mouth frowned. Tears escaped her swollen eyes, and in an almost incoherent choked voice, she whispered, "Joseph, what are we going to do?"
Allow the nativity story to come alive, as never before. Immerse yourself into a life of oppressive Roman rule, where greed, power and corruption were rampant; A time of love, betrayal and forgiveness; A time where the heavens touched the earth in helping usher in the most anticipated birth in human history...This is Joseph's Story.
Joseph cautiously tried to keep Mary in the night shadows. Since being forced into the open Bethlehem street, a sliver of light from a shamed moon was their only guide.
Then Joseph's heart froze, and his breath choked in his throat. Roman Soldiers were approaching from all directions, carrying torches and blood stained swords. To make matters worse, a goat tied near them was bleating loudly, gaining attention.
Joseph spun his head, looked into Mary's eyes, and swallowed hard. Mary stared back, her brows furrowed, forming deep wrinkles in her forehead. Her body was visibly shaking. Her hands grasping the sleeping child wrapped in a sheet, clutched in her arms. Her chin began to tremble and her mouth frowned. Tears escaped her swollen eyes, and in an almost incoherent choked voice, she whispered, "Joseph, what are we going to do?"
Allow the nativity story to come alive, as never before. Immerse yourself into a life of oppressive Roman rule, where greed, power and corruption were rampant; A time of love, betrayal and forgiveness; A time where the heavens touched the earth in helping usher in the most anticipated birth in human history...This is Joseph's Story.
168 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2014
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 13, 2015
Reviewed By Jane Finch for Readers’ Favorite
A Man Whose Name Was Joseph by Shawn Stanley is an historical journey exploring the life and times of Joseph and Mary. A fictional work but based on known facts, the novel follows Joseph from the commitment to marriage to Mary through to the time they take the baby Jesus and flee from Bethlehem. This is the story of the nativity from Joseph’s perspective, and the novel also gives an insight into what life must have been like during those times, relating the hardships of Roman rule and of everyday life, and of one man’s determination to fulfil his destiny. This story looks at the conception and birth of Jesus in a fresh and intriguing way.
The author, Shawn Stanley, has clearly researched his subject well, and apart from his knowledge of the Biblical reporting of events, has put his own interpretation onto the known facts which has really developed the story and given it a realism that has also given the story credence. The writing is smooth and flows well, and the descriptions help to enhance the story and to bring alive the whole ethos of what is the greatest story of all time – the birth of Jesus. The writing is emotional and I really enjoyed reading from the perspective of Joseph, who is so often a lesser character in this well-known story. I think this Christian story could have an incredible impact and encourage the author to further explore his adaptations of Biblical events. Highly recommended.
A Man Whose Name Was Joseph by Shawn Stanley is an historical journey exploring the life and times of Joseph and Mary. A fictional work but based on known facts, the novel follows Joseph from the commitment to marriage to Mary through to the time they take the baby Jesus and flee from Bethlehem. This is the story of the nativity from Joseph’s perspective, and the novel also gives an insight into what life must have been like during those times, relating the hardships of Roman rule and of everyday life, and of one man’s determination to fulfil his destiny. This story looks at the conception and birth of Jesus in a fresh and intriguing way.
The author, Shawn Stanley, has clearly researched his subject well, and apart from his knowledge of the Biblical reporting of events, has put his own interpretation onto the known facts which has really developed the story and given it a realism that has also given the story credence. The writing is smooth and flows well, and the descriptions help to enhance the story and to bring alive the whole ethos of what is the greatest story of all time – the birth of Jesus. The writing is emotional and I really enjoyed reading from the perspective of Joseph, who is so often a lesser character in this well-known story. I think this Christian story could have an incredible impact and encourage the author to further explore his adaptations of Biblical events. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review