The book combines the Nativity accounts in Matthew and Luke into a single narrative. Logical segues between events make them connect seamlessly with each flowing inevitably to the next.
In the crowded genre of fictionalized retellings of the Christmas story, this book stands alone in its faithfulness to the scripture and completeness. There were dozens of seldom or never before seen insights into the account that were uncovered by the book's unprecedented, in-depth process of "reading between the lines"
Rather than depict the characters as hyper-spiritual, otherworldly individuals, they are shown as more relatable, ordinary people who are caught up in extraordinary circumstances. The book explores the emotional impact of events upon each character which gave them much more depth. That process also revealed many hidden subtexts within the account that have not appeared in print before.
There are dozens of insights into the nativity story that are unique to this book. Every skeptical objection to the Bible's account is answered and skillfully woven into the narrative. The first-ever explanation for the Star of Bethlehem that is 100% in accord with scripture and sensible scientifically, a logically compelling explanation for the apparent contradictions often seen in the events occurring shortly after Jesus' birth, a scriptural resolution to the date conflicts around the census of Cyrenius, are all things that are unique to this book. There are between chapter notes and an extensive appendix that were included to aid the reader's understanding of the things being presented. The net effect of it all is that the Bible's Christmas story is revealed to be a factual yet abbreviated account of real historical events surrounding the birth of the Son of God.
The record of the birth and circumcision of John contained a surprise punchline that strongly supported the truth of the scriptures and the existence of Almighty God and His gentle sense of humor. My editor said that she will never again read those passages in the same way as she did before.
(This scene is right after Mary and Joseph's betrothal feast. Mary is with her sister in their bedroom but can't sleep. Later, she apparently doesn't tell anyone about the angelic encounter because her pregnancy was a surprise to Joseph and likely everyone else also. All of these things can be inferred when the scripture simply says that Mary was "found with child.")
Mary stared at the blackness of her ceiling and listened to Mirabeth softly snoring on the other side of the room. Mary had lain awake long enough to know that she wouldn’t be going to sleep. She wondered, "Is he lying awake right now too? Is he thinking of me?"
As Mary thought about Joseph, she realized who else was awake at that hour, and a psalm came to mind:
"He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
She looked into the dark and whispered toward the ceiling, “Thank You, Adonai, for Your lovingkindness. Thank You for preserving Your People and bringing us to such a time as this. Thank You for Your hand of blessing upon Father. Thank You for upholding our family, and thank You, Adonai, for such an uncommon blessing as Joseph. Strengthen him and guide his footsteps. Give him the joy of Your constant approval. Surprise him with uncommon blessings as You have surprised me… Your lovingkindness surrounds me… Thank You, Adonai. Who is like unto You? Who can measure Your love?”
Crying, she remembered David’s lament. “It’s too wonderful for me… It is high… I cannot attain it…”
She closed her eyes to blink away the tears. When she opened them again, the room was filled with a dazzling light that was much brighter than noonday. The light came from above her bed, and when she raised her arm to shield her eyes, Mary saw her sister’s sleeping form illuminated by the harsh light. Mirabeth only stirred slightly though, and turned away from the brilliance overhead. Mary squinted to peer past her arm. She could make out the figure of a huge man whose face and clothing were brighter than a dozen suns. The man stood as tall as a tree. It was as if the ceiling of the room had vanished to make room for him. Mary knew that what she saw was the angel of the Lord. He was altogether frightening to behold. With a voice like the sounding of trumpets, the angel spoke:
“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Mixed with Mary’s fear came puzzlement at why Adonai would send an angel to her. Then he said,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God, nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Then the angel faded from view, and Mary’s room returned to normal. It was no longer night, however. Beyond the door of her bedroom, she saw that the full light of day was pouring through the kitchen window. The birds of the morning were in full voice. Mirabeth still slept, and Mary heard nothing from her mother or father either. "Was what happened a dream? Was the angel real?" Mary wondered, but she decided to cast her doubts aside. "Adonai would not allow such strong deception to occur or no one could ever know any truth."
Since no one else had heard or seen the angel, however, she decided to keep it all to herself. "If Adonai wanted others to know, He would have let them hear as well.
The crowing of the rooster made her jump from her bed in order to tend the animals before they woke everyone. She quietly said her morning prayer and splashed water on her face, then she crept out the back door of the house and into the garden.