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The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard M. Barry
Publisher: RM Barry Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $6.60
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Rating:  19 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 2nd
Pages: 128
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.4
ISBN: 0976729059
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780976729051
Publication Date: September 27, 2006
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Product Description
The Shepherds Prayer: A Christmas Novel was written by Richard M. Barry and is one of the few books that chronicles the extraordinary events at the time of Christ's birth and the Bethlehem shepherds, and does so in a most captivating way.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 New look into the Shepherd life December 1, 2008
Debra Charlys Reetz (Lansing, MI)
One of the best quick read books i have read this Christmas Season. A new look at the life of shepherds.
a BEAUTIFUL meditation December 26, 2007
Erika K. Rowland
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I read this twice, one for the head and once for the heart. A great story for any time of year. Reinforces the biblical passages while taking the reader on a journey. Also a great story for anyone with adopted children or those who foster children.
 A wonderful read for the whole family December 5, 2007
Paula J. Miller (Minnesota)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The horror of screaming babies, hysterical mothers and grief ridden fathers turns a tranquil night in Bethlehem into utter chaos. Roman soldiers ride through the streets, stealing the lives of innocent babies - at the demand of a jealous king.
One mother, her son clutched to her chest, grabs a soldier's horse in an attempt to escape. But in the fight for her son's life, she loses her own. The horse rolls down an embankment, crushes her and orphans a lambskin-wrapped baby boy.
Thirty years later, Anam, whose name literally means No Name, is surrounded by the loving family who found him. His brothers are happily married and producing heirs and his father is enjoying the blessing of many grandchildren. But Aman's thoughts aren't focused on finding a wife and adding to the family. His heart is still searching for a place he feels whole.
The circumstances of his birth and family still linger in his mind along with the lambskin and the mysterious words written into the tanned hide, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to men of good will, through Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary in a stable in Bethlehem and who, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was in a manger, he who is Savior of the world. Aman decides that it is time he found out what happened.
Through the story of Aman and his quest, I found myself drawn back in time to Bethlehem. I began to wonder what it must have been like for the people of Bethlehem during such a tragic time. What really happened after the slaughter? How did the town's people view the shepherd's who brought the news of Jesus birth and as a result, send Herod into a jealous rage? How did they view Christ?
Richard M. Barry does a wonderful job in creating a man looking for answers. A man who becomes one of the greatest names in Biblical history.
Gifts With No Return Receipt Required November 29, 2007
Zinta Aistars (Portage, MI United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Another Christmas approaches, even as I sense my own not completely suppressed bah humbug mood rising in response to all the bling and blare of this increasingly materialistic season. I've for some time now felt that we are losing sight of the spirit of Christmas, substituting a rat race for the biggest, gaudiest array of gifts for the quiet family gathering and meditation on the birth of a new spirit in each and every one of us, a reminder to give ourselves over into the hands of a higher power in gratitude and submission. Towards that goal, reversing this trend where Santa has become the god of the holiday rather than Christ, I welcome such a book as Richard M. Barry's "The Shepherd's Prayer."
We have so many versions of this biblical story of the birth of Christ. Surely it is nearly impossible to find a new angle, a fresh perspective - but Barry has achieved this. In a slim, gift-ready volume, he has brought the reader back to Bethlehem to revisit this timeless event and its consequences and repercussions. In the bright light of Christ's birth, I would guess that few have thoroughly considered what might have happened to the shepherds who witnessed the star over Bethlehem, were visited by an angel with the news of a birth, and how they may have been treated by others since that birth. Nor have we seen much material on the mass murder by Herod of the infant boys in the surrounding area in his effort to murder the son of God. Surely this was an earth-shattering trauma to that community and beyond...
Barry brings us to this scene and gives us a look around through the eyes of Anam, literally meaning No Name, who has grown up into a 30-year old man with the bloody history of being an escapee of this mass murder, raised by others after his own parents were killed. Like any person in any age, he longs to know his roots, but no one will speak to him of that time, everyone shies away, some quite rudely, when he shows a lambskin blanket with mysterious writing on it and the name "Jesus." He seems to inspire only anger and fear when he asks about the place and time in which he was born, not getting any answers to his questions from anyone.
Until Anam meets a group of shepherds, ostracized from the rest, gathered in remembrance of a great day long ago. They embrace him kindly and fill in the blanks, telling him his name and providing the history of the day which we now remember, or should, every Christmas.
This is a well-written Christmas novel, not preachy or overly predictable as so many in this genre can be, but everything a good story requires. And, it can serve to remind us what we seem to have forgotten: Christmas is not about gifts under a tree. There is a far greater gift awaiting all of us, there for the asking.
~Zinta Aistars for The Smoking Poet
Most Inspiring! June 29, 2007
Tom Buck (The middle of a cornfield, IA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
WOW!!! I drove to Wichita on Sunday so The Shepherds' Prayer on CD was my church this week. In case you weren't aware, it is difficult to drive at freeway speeds with eyes over-brimming with tears. John McDonough was a terrific choice as the reader. The total work was inspired and I thank you for it. It will certainly become part of our Christmas observances.
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