Asher of Bethlehem

Title: ASHER OF BETHLEHEM
Author: Howard Rodney Jones
Illustrator: Paul C. Spoor
Publisher: Laughing Squire Press
May 2011
ISBN: 978-0615428796
Genre: Inspirational/young adult

Asher is a young orphan boy, his parents have died in a tragic accident and his cruel uncle kicks him out on the streets. Asher is a terrible beggar, not whining about his troubles, and trying to work to earn money honestly. All the other beggars make fun of him, and Asher often has trouble earning enough to put food in his stomach.

When Asher’s best friend offers him a job working in the inn’s stable, Asher jumps at it. He’s promised an income if he cleans the stables and cares for the animals. But Asher is never paid for his work. And one night when the inn was full some poor strangers came to stay. Asher offered to give up his unpaid income permanently, if the inn-keeper will allow these strangers to stay in the stable.

As a result, Asher is a witness to the miracles God wrought in that stable on that long ago day. But what he sees lands him in danger. Will Asher be able to safely leave Bethlehem? Or will he die for what he sees?

ASHER OF BETHLEHEM is a sweet story loosely based around the real life nativity story of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. While Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus are real, and the events unfolded mostly as portrayed, the author took liberties with who interacted with them, when, and how. He also included the wise men coming immediately following the birth, which didn’t happen. All in all though, this was a story that my ten-year-old loved, and it held my interest from beginning to end. I recommend this story – as a sweet Christmassy story for tweeners. $9.95. 120 pages.