Rudolf Van Reest (1897–1979)

What were the Jewish people expecting around the time of the rule of Herod the Great? The writings said someone was coming to save them. Save them from the Romans and any other intruder. And when he came he would be revealed to the important people. Yet to other it was revealed that he would come as a sheep, as it was written as well. And so he came, born in a manger, worshipped by shepherds and foreigners, but largely ignored by everyone else - except Herod. He tried to make sure that the newly born king was killed.
This tells the story of this period through the eyes of a Jewish family, who really did not know what to expect. The role that Herod played in this time is also woven into the story. It's a nice story, a bit awkward in places - probably not the fault of the author. It is a pity the style was not more active in nature, more immediate. Yet it comes across as story telling. However, worth reading to get a feel for the mood of Israel around the time of Christ's birth.… (meer)