Fr. Dwight Longenecker. The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $12.99. eBook $9.99. 144 pages. Available from the publisher.
“The Messiah has come and he is a Bethlehem shepherd like you.”
After watching classics like “The Little Drummer Boy,” cliché and idyllic views of the shepherds understandably develop. The truth of our early ancestors and messengers of faith is often hidden behind the glitz of contemporary crèches. The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds reveals the thrilling real story of the nomadic shepherds at Bethlehem.
Esteemed author Fr. Dwight Longenecker, a convert from Anglicanism, spent time in Jerusalem and Bethlehem to research the authentic story of the shepherds. Readers will be inspired and enlightened by his balanced view of scriptural interpretation, which incorporates glimpses into the culture of Jesus’ time. He looks past the “decorations” that have been added to Bible stories and unveils their sacred and true meaning, gazing beyond both the sentimentality and modernist views which discredit the historical veracity of the Nativity story.
In page after page, readers will learn to unlock the mystery of the shepherds and about:
- The impact of oral tradition in the writing of Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts
- How the non-Biblical apocryphal “Gospels” influence the telling of the Nativity narrative
- Theological interpretations illuminating how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament
- Why certain aspects of the popular version of the Nativity are actually legends
Masterfully and candidly, Fr. Longenecker addresses questions such as: Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem? Why were the shepherds so important to Luke’s gospel, and why was the birth of a child so important to the shepherds? Through the lens of tradition and history, you will discover enthralling information about the place of Jesus’ birth, why evidence points to Him not being born in a squalid setting, and how, even today, the Bedouin shepherds dwell nearby. You will also find out where Mary actually came from, based on Fr. Longenecker’s research, and fascinating details about her family, early life, marriage to Joseph, and other cultural details that break open the Gospels.
Most significantly, readers will see how prophecies regarding shepherds foretold the coming of the Messiah and were actually fulfilled in the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God. They will delight in the recognition of how the angels’ message to the shepherds and song of praise is harmonious with God’s interaction throughout salvation history.
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds, and/or to schedule an interview.
