Out of the Silence: A Dramatic Retelling of the First Christmas

by Patti Hill

Jesus' birth came after 400 years of silence. God sent no prophet to speak words of reconciliation or judgment. No words of endearment or rebuke. No Moses to rescue his people from enslavement. No Isaiah to unveil centuries of future history. No Malachi to bolster faith. And then God spoke. Immanuel--"God with us" was born. A story for the ages. When Matthew and Luke wrote their accounts of God entering human history, they never dreamed we would be reading their stories 2,000 years later. Although the authors carefully set their story in time and place with phrases like, "During the time of King Herod" and "Caesar Augustus issued a decree," they left out the nuances of their culture and the political climate of the time, things already known by their readers. In fact, they went without saying. This book is meant to provide all that went without saying to the contemporary readers. In compelling story form, Patti Hill raises the curtain on life in first-century Judea and Galilee. Serve in the temple with Zechariah. Be present at Mary and Joseph's betrothal. Agonize with Joseph over Mary's alleged infidelity. Trudge into the hills with the shepherds. And enter Jerusalem with the wise men. Read Out of the Silence as a novel or read a chapter a day during the month of December to be immersed in the Christmas story all through the season. Patti Hill is the acclaimed author of eight novels, including Like a Watered Garden and Goodness and Mercy.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2020

About the author

After years of raising children and then joyfully teaching elementary school, Patti finally took her long-ago college English professor’s advice ("You should be a writer") and fulfilled the dream of having her first novel published to wide acclaim in 2005.

She now writes full time and loves connecting with readers via her web site and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Janet Popish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I'd read the chapter notes in the back that gave definitions for the words I didn't know, so my suggestion to future readers is to do that, chapter by chapter. You can understand what they mean by context, but it's still nice to have the author's information available.

[Richard Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!

I loved this! The Christmas story in a new way! One I feel is much more accurate by using the customs and traditions of the time in which it took place. Thank you Patti for such a touching telling of the story of the birth of our Savior. I hated to see it end!

[Jill Nadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I loved the history that was included which made the Christmas story come to life. Some of the historical events and backgrounds I knew and others I’d never heard before. Thank you, Patti, for writing this beautiful book!

[Giselle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great read for the current Advent season but anytime of the year it could be enjoyed!