num_pages: 220
description: Joseph a master craftsman and carpenter stokes the ire of his family when he weds his pregnant (and seemingly unfaithful) betrothed Mary. Pious devout and guided by the dictates of Heaven Joseph has no issue with taking Mary  who still claims to be a virgin  as his wife and committing himself to the protection of her child whom he senses is extraordinary. However there are others who are also aware of how special the child is and not all have its best interests at heart. Among these is the despot Herod whose oppressive rule and wanton cruelty are legendary. Deeply troubled by a prophecy concerning a King to Come the tyrant is committed to finding  and eliminating  this threat to his reign. (And having already murdered members of his own family in order to maintain power Herod has no qualms about killing a baby.) In addition there are forces beyond the ken of men that also recognize the singular nature of Marys child and which are determined to keep the salvation that the babe represents out of mankinds reach.All of these factions and more converge on Mary and Joseph as they trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem in hopes of starting a new life. On a journey fraught with peril Joseph fights to protect Mary and her unborn child from danger on all sides including the elements bandits and Herods legions  as well as an utterly evil and otherworldly demonic force determined to stamp out mankinds only hope of redemption.Armed with little more than his wits his faith and his carpenters hammer Joseph must face impossible odds to ensure the safety and survival of not only his family but mankinds future
language: English
title: The Carpenter: A Retelling of the Story of Joseph of Nazareth
publisher: Panegyric Publishing