David's Star

Some 2000 years ago a group of men were watching a flock of sheep in the hills near Bethlehem, when angels appeared and spoke to them. Luke tells us that they go into the village and visit the infant Jesus, but after they return to work we never hear of them again. Take now an imaginary journey to those times and join one of the younger shepherds as he and Jesus get to know each other as men. Sense with Bartemaeus the despair of blindness and feel his hope as he seeks the promised Messiah who Isaiah says will give sight to the blind. Learn of the devout Essenes living in seclusion near the Dead Sea as they meticulously copy scriptures while awaiting the promised one. Join the women who follow a teacher who does not treat them as inferiors. Listen to John the baptizer as he preaches repentance and watch as he then humbly but dramatically baptizes his cousin Jesus. Stand with David and watch the Messiah ride into Jerusalem at his moment of triumph-but dejected. Feel Jesus' anger at the abuses in "his Father's house." Sense the oppression of a conquered people ruled and taxed by a foreign power.

After reading David's Star you will find yourself emotionally involved each time you read from the gospels. You will live in the environment in which Jesus lived and sense the force of his ministry, even in our own time.