Holding Heaven

by Jerry B. Jenkins, Ron DiCianni (Illustrator)

Storyteller Jerry B. Jenkins and biblical artist Ron DiCianni transport you to the hardscrabble Middle East of the first century where you eavesdrop on interaction between a father and a son so profound that it will forever change how you view the Incarnation.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian

72 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read. 1st half retelling of Jesus' birth, 2nd half telling of Joseph's death

[Lu]

father/son bond joseph & jesus

[Shelley R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written from Joseph's point of view. It was interesting!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. It will make you cry, but such a good description of Jesus’s life with his earthly father.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really insightful into the intimate relationship Jesus has with Joseph his earthly father. It was a powerful message. It also gives you a glimpse as to what Jesus might have been like as a man.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holding Heaven wonderfully captures a husband's love for his wife and a father's love for his Son, then in turn a Son's love for His mother and His father, through two interactions between Joseph and Jesus. While the content and concept is a delightful one and the main intent is the authors' message, the construction is a little problematic as the author combines his own narrative with that of the Bible's and the transition from one to the other is not always a smooth one.

[Allen Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good guess at what the life of Mary & Joseph went through in raising Jesus. We have no true account for this time, but the author did a good job of weaving in what we do know with conjecture. The gospel msg is also projected here and has many proofs for someone who is still on the fence. Good job, I liked it.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written short nevella that tells the story of the relationship of Jesus and his earthly father, Joseph. It gives an insight into what Joseph might of felt and thought about being the "father" of Jesus.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written as a conversation between baby Jesus and his parents may have been like. Also later in life when Jesus was witnessing the last days of his earthly father. Really a good read and I plan on reading it again!

[Angela Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book. I found it kind of interesting to read the incarnation story in the perspective of Joseph and Jesus' relationship. This book did, however, raise the question for me of how much Jesus knew of what was going to happen to him.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. This is the Christ story from a different perspective.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read, from the viewpoint of Joseph, father of Jesus. Left me wanting to read more.

[Donna Broadbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives you a dramatic look at the relationship of Joseph and Jesus.

[Eric Reidsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short (72pages) fictional story about the relationship between Jesus and Joseph his earthly father. I know its fiction, but I love the writing style which gives us an inside view of the story.

[Michelle Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, so wonderful to read what Joseph might have gone through as the stepfather to Jesus.

[glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conversation between Joseph and Jesus when Jesus was a child and when Joseph was old. An interesting and reflective read for this season!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different way of telling the story of the birth and death of Jesus.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is like no other. Very powerful and insightful. It fictionalizes the relationship between Jesus and His earthly father, Joseph. In the first half of the book, Jesus is an infant, and we see things from Joseph’s point of view. In the second half of the book, Joseph is now old and sick, soon before Jesus embarks on His ministry. It is a very moving story of a love between father and son, magnified by the fact that the son is also the Messiah. I definitely recommend this book. Read it. You’ll be glad you did.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 2 out of 5]

A contemplative, sad read that has a couple of intriguing details, but overall it feels like three characters taking turns to recite and rehearse information from the Bible without much further development to make the story or characters more interesting as a work of fiction.

It'd be nice to see a copy that includes the paintings, though. The ebook I read wasn't illustrated, but judging by the beautiful book cover, I imagine the inside artwork is just as beautiful.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most revealing sentence in this book is when Jesus tells Joseph “ You too, were God’s choice”. This statement to me shows clearly God’s intricate plans for Mary, Joseph and Jesus. If you have this book, lend it to someone who has questions about God’s will for mankind.

[A Bear and a Bee Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect time of year to pick this up. The artwork and story are both beautiful and awe inspiring.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring short story about Joseph as he may have related to Jesus.

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking fiction on Jesus relationship with his earthly parents. I enjoyed reading this short Novella. It is well written. I plan to read again.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great perspective on father/son relationships

[Rich Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! It is hard to read with tears in your eyes.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd call this novella two stories in one.

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a tender story of a father and a son. Each time I read this, the relationship between Joseph and Jesus becomes a little more real and a little less idealized biblical story. Each half of this book portrays a real father with a real son, love shared between them and real life all around them.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving book!

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story in two parts - the birth of Jesus and the death of Joseph (both through the eyes of Joseph)… recommended read

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interactions between the infant Jesus and Joseph, and at the time of Joseph's death. Book does not say anything about Jesus' brothers. Jesus is told his desting and then reveals all that is to come to Joseph, his Abba on earth.