The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel [Hardcover]

Richard Barry (Original Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2006

The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel by Richard M. Barry is one of the few books that chronicles the Bethlehem shepherds and the extraordinary events at the time of Christ's birth, and does so in a most captivating way. The Shepherds' Prayer, originally published in 2006, is also available as a radio drama and an audio book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As we ponder the scene at the manger, I doubt many of us think about the impact that starry night had on those who were there... These first believers are the subject of an imaginative Christmas novel by Richard M. Barry, titled The Shepherds Prayer. The book tells the story of an adopted son with a mysterious connection to the Messiah, who seeks the truth about his birth thirty years later. The man, Anam, travels to Bethlehem, where contempt is apparent on the faces of the townspeople when they hear the name Jesus... Likely, as Barry imagines, those who spoke of Jesus and that fateful day of His birth were met with scorn from those in Bethlehem and the surrounding area, because His birth had brought bloodshed... The shepherds who first believed in Jesus likely faced oppression and were treated as outcasts. Like them, we must maintain our faith regardless of the world s reaction. And we must never water down the message of Christ's birth --Chuck Colson, Founder and President of Prison Fellowship.

Richard Barry takes you on a dramatic trip to the Holy Land. The Shepherds' Prayer, although fiction, helps us identify with those closest to the events on that most silent and holy night. Just grab a cup of coffee or cocoa, throw a few logs on the fire, and plan to leave the commercialism of the world behind and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. --Teresa Tomeo, author and syndicated Catholic talk show host

Richard Barry's novel, The Shepherds' Prayer, is a Christmas treasure! Reading The Shepherds' Prayer, I imagined how the shepherds must have felt on that blessed night of Christ's birth more than 2,000 years ago; so afraid when the angel of the Lord appeared to them with the news of the Savior's birth, yet trusting completely in the word of God. The Shepherds' Prayer tells the tale of one man's search for the truth of who he is, where he came from, and how he fits into God's story. Anam's search is our search -- when we seek the truth, we always find Christ! ----Jeff Cavins, author and creator of The Great Adventure, The Bible Timeline

From the Publisher

Santa Claus. Beautifully wrapped gifts. Eating lots of good food with family and friends. For many, that's what Christmas is all about. But the author of a new book is determined to put the emphasis back where it belongs: on the birth of Jesus and how the Lord reinvigorates the lives of those who follow Him. His book, "The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel," does just that.

Author and publisher Richard Barry based his fictional tale on the real lives of a group of men we've all heard about but typically overlook -- the shepherds to whom the angel announced the birth of Jesus. Outside of our kid's school play, most of us have never given these important Biblical characters a second thought. Yet they were the first to hear the Good News. So what happened to them after that blessed first Christmas? Richard Barry's novel seeks to answer that thought-provoking question, and in a way that makes all of us appreciate the importance of Christ's Incarnation and how the seemingly insignificant birth of one baby in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire changed the world forever.

In fact, Barry places the entire Christmas story into historical context in a way that few modern novels on the subject have done. He reminds us that there is a tragic component of the story, too -- the Slaughter of the Innocents. This was when the jealous King Herod ordered the murder of all the male babies in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the Messiah, whom he saw as a rival. In "The Shepherds' Prayer," a young man who had been orphaned in this tragic massacre returns to Bethlehem thirty years later on a quest to discover his name and heritage. Having been raised in a culture where bloodlines mean everything, he seems forever condemned to live as an outsider on the fringes of society until he discovers his true identity. His only clue is a cryptic message on a lambskin blanket about a child born in a stable in Bethlehem. Who is this mysterious child? And what could such a child have to do with his own birth and destiny? Through a providential encounter with a small band of shepherds, the young man comes to realize that his quest has little to do with his genes -- and everything to do with his soul.

This is a book that has the potential to become a Christmas classic because it is one of those rare novels that the entire family can enjoy. It focuses our attention on the life-changing power of faith during this special time of the year. Yes, decorating our Christmas trees and waiting for Santa to make his annual sleigh ride are fun traditions. But these things pale in comparison with the profound inspiration drawn from the remarkable story of the humble shepherds who first taught us what Christmas is really all about.

The book is available as a hardcover book and as a three-CD audiobook. The audio version of the book is narrated by the "golden voice" of John McDonough, an accomplished actor, singer and narrator who has appeared on Broadway, in television and in movies.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: RM Barry Publications; 2nd edition (November 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976729059
• ISBN-13: 978-0976729051
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Biblical Fiction

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple. Sweet. Compelling., June 26, 2007

By 

Jeffrey E Ellis (Naperville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel (Hardcover)

THE SHEPHERD'S PRAYER tells the story of Jesus' birth from the viewpoint of nearby shepherds who were first-hand observers of the wondrous heavenly visitation surrounding the events of the day.

How would simple herdsmen have reacted to an angelic visit, heaven opening up and bursting forth upon the countryside and the Lord, Himself, lying as a vulnerable baby in a rude cattle stall? Herod's atrocities, the bitterness of the bereaved parents, the shunning of the Jews which would eventually cost Jesus his life, are all tenderly but faithfully depicted in this simple story.

There are a few contemporary Christian authors who have a gift for retelling familiar Bible stories from a different perspective and engaging the reader in a compelling, interesting, simple way: Gene Edwards, Philip Yancy, and now, Richard Barry are certainly among those.

SHEPHERD's PRAYER is also a reminder that all believers have a place in the royal lineage in the kingdom of God. Through Jesus to Abraham, today's faithful are partakers of this wonderful story and heirs to the stable as well as to the heavenly realm.

This is a sweet story for all ages.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, January 27, 2007

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel (Hardcover)

Wow! This thought-provoking novel took me on a spiritual journey down a path that I'd never considered before. As many encounters as I've had with the Christmas story, it never occurred to me how the event affected the people of Bethlehem. Told from the perspective of the community who lost their young sons in the Slaughter of the Innocents gave a heartwrenching humanity to the story and a deeper understanding into why Jesus faced so much resistance throughout His mission. The book is written with extraordinary attention to detail, masterfully drawing the reader into the setting alongside the shepherds who witnessed the event, inspiring the powerful emotions of actually being in that time and place. Long after the final pages were read, I remained in a reflective state of peaceful spirituality. Don't let the small size of this book fool you, as it packs a tremendous punch! It will surely touch your heart.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Reading, January 27, 2007

By 

Dan Blankenship "Author of THE RUNNING GIRL" (Lowell, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel (Hardcover)

Inspirational Reading
(A Review of Richard M. Barry's "The Shepherds' Prayer")



Inspirational Christian fiction can cause the human mind to be reenergized and refocused on the spiritual realm beyond one's earthly eyesight.

Such is indeed the case with "The Shepherds' Prayer" by Richard M. Barry. This book, dealing with the birth of Christ and King Herod's attempt at murdering the Savior as an infant, is an easy read for all ages. It is a story that reinforces the tenets of the Christian faith, while at the same time provides the reader with some interesting plot twist and emotional struggle.

One of my favorite Ernest Hemingway books is "The Old Man and the Sea." The classic novel keeps the story simple but interesting and flowing. "The Shepherd's Prayer" does the same. The dialogue is simple, but it makes the story more solid.

As the main character, Anam, searches for clues to his past and its relation to the virgin birth of the Messiah, I found myself rooting for him to succeed. At the same time, I was full of intrigue as to what each new piece of information would lead Anam to do. Would he stop digging up clues? Would he ever feel like he had reached the conclusion of his investigation? It was hard to stop reading this well-penned novel (or novella, possibly).

This work reminds us that it is not always easy to follow the will of God - to believe the prophecies and the guidance God's holy word provides. Many characters in this narrative have their faith tested by amazing sacrifices. Their steadfast service to the Lord is a stirring dose of medicine to the complacent Christian or nonbeliever who happens across Barry's fictional anecdote.

I have read some reviews that have shown disfavor on this story for being only 123 pages in length. I think it is a blessing that so much wise and spiritual guidance is placed in such a short manuscript. In today's busy world, a book such as "The Shepherds' Prayer" will be read by more individuals, maybe even many who have never read such material.

Christian fiction has been on the rise for quite some time now; "The Shepherds' Prayer" is a great addition to this up and coming literary revolution. It is also the type of book that people will definitely buy in bulk to give to friends and relatives.

Anam believes angels, at times, are watching over him, keeping him safe from pitfalls and destruction. In many ways, this book, "The Shepherds' Prayer", makes me wonder if Barry should include "Heaven's Holy Angels" as the coauthor of his fine piece of literary work...


See ya next review.