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The Promise: A Christmas Tale
We know and love the Christmas story -light comes to dispel dark, purity comes to stomp corruption. It's beautiful. It's perfect proof of an eternal truth and light. . . . This is not the usual story. This is the tale of a mute boy who is born and abandoned in the shadows of life. He carries with him two things-his dead mother's shawl and her promise that someday he will find a king who will give him a voice. Like Reuben in The Promise , may you sing of Light, even when no one else can hear.
64 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2005
568 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
192 books9,959 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 23, 2024
A moving story of Reuben, a mute orphan of Palestine who is adopted by a woman who ends up dying leaving him abandoned once more. All she left Reuben was her shawl and a promise that a king would need it and would give him a voice when he brought others to him. Reuben has to somehow figure out what this means while he has no voice and no one to care for him.
January 5, 2020
I really liked this book. A totally new take on the Christmas story that I enjoyed. It brought new life to the old story.
December 4, 2023
An adult can probably read this book in half an hour. The book is a 'parable' of a mute boy, sent to find the King. It is an approach taken to help more advanced readers or listeners to think about who it is we celebrate at Christmas. A baby that will be born, as God and man, who will live 30 years a sinless life, a future king, unknown to the masses, and where the crowds will one day recognize, and another will rebel and deny this King. This story will promote thinking, comparison/contrast, and evaluation of the levels where true learning leads to analysis and evaluation. Does this fit what the Bible teaches? could this have happened or if this boy were real, would God's son the King, give him words?
You'll have to read the book and evaluate it yourselves.
You'll have to read the book and evaluate it yourselves.
November 24, 2019
You know, I finished this in thirty minutes and I am happy about it. It is a very great tale from Ted Dekker with a great message in it. I’m actually thinking about burning it to read every Christmas.
I didn’t think Ted would be good at writing a Christian tale, I stand corrected. I am amazed at how great the story turned out. It has a great Christian message that I will not say write now, and it is also interesting. The characters are great.
I didn’t think Ted would be good at writing a Christian tale, I stand corrected. I am amazed at how great the story turned out. It has a great Christian message that I will not say write now, and it is also interesting. The characters are great.
December 26, 2017
This was a quick read but it packed a punch. Imagine with this little mute shepherd boy that you are looking for a king. Your dying mother has given you a shawl and told you to look for a king. You just happen to be in the stable where Jesus is born and you MUST let people know. Then the Angels appear. What a sight. You can’t help but praise God! Great story by Ted Dekker.
November 22, 2018
I love the strong faith little Reuben has!
A beautiful message that all should hear.
A beautiful message that all should hear.
March 6, 2022
I really want to know whose idea it was for Christian suspense/thriller novelist Ted Dekker to write a couple of illustrated children’s/giftbook Christmas stories. I mean, around Christmas you see these kinds of books get published with the hope of capitalizing on the holiday theme. Max Lucado has several. Francine Rivers has one. A lot of authors will pen a Christmas-themed short story or novella and offer it up as something special to readers. Dekker’s previous work doesn’t exactly fit the genre. And yet, in the wake of the success of the Circle Trilogy and a recent pivot toward non-fiction with The Slumber of Christianity, it was probably seen as a way to further enhance what was quickly becoming Thomas Nelson’s top author.
In The Promise Ted Dekker follows the story of Reuben, a mute orphan with a dying adoptive mother. Her last words: God has spoken to me. Find the King. Give him my shawl. He will give you a voice. In the days that followed her death, Reuben offers the shawl to several people he thinks might be the king, but they all just look on him in scorn or pity. Their derision only multiplies when they learn he is seeking to give it to a king. But Reuben does find the King, in the unlikeliest of places. And he finally gets his voice to sing.
Like many of Dekker’s early novels, The Promise is a parable that swirls around a biblical theme. It’s evocatively written as Dekker takes a fairly simple storyline and draws readers into the story.
Lifelike painted illustrations were done by Dan Thornberg of Koechel Peterson & Associates. Dan had been a longtime illustrator with Bethany House, responsible for a good many of their book covers before moving to KPA as an independent designer. His immersive paintings are a bit squandered on the book’s physical smallness, but the attention to detail is truly what makes the story immersive.
The Promise makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the Dekkie on your Christmas list. It’s out of print now and hard to find, making a Dekker collectible you won’t want to miss.
In The Promise Ted Dekker follows the story of Reuben, a mute orphan with a dying adoptive mother. Her last words: God has spoken to me. Find the King. Give him my shawl. He will give you a voice. In the days that followed her death, Reuben offers the shawl to several people he thinks might be the king, but they all just look on him in scorn or pity. Their derision only multiplies when they learn he is seeking to give it to a king. But Reuben does find the King, in the unlikeliest of places. And he finally gets his voice to sing.
Like many of Dekker’s early novels, The Promise is a parable that swirls around a biblical theme. It’s evocatively written as Dekker takes a fairly simple storyline and draws readers into the story.
Lifelike painted illustrations were done by Dan Thornberg of Koechel Peterson & Associates. Dan had been a longtime illustrator with Bethany House, responsible for a good many of their book covers before moving to KPA as an independent designer. His immersive paintings are a bit squandered on the book’s physical smallness, but the attention to detail is truly what makes the story immersive.
The Promise makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the Dekkie on your Christmas list. It’s out of print now and hard to find, making a Dekker collectible you won’t want to miss.
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: We know and love the Christmas story-light comes to dispel dark, purity comes to stomp corruption. It's beautiful. It's perfect proof of an eternal truth and light. . . . This is not the usual story. This is the tale of a mute boy who is born and abandoned in the shadows of life. He carries with him two things-his dead mother's shawl and her promise that someday he will find a king who will give him a voice. Like Reuben in The Promise, may you sing of Light, even when no one else can hear.
REVIEW: This little book that is a gem for both children and adults alike will definitely be included on my Best of 2015 list as well as being a book that I will keep to read again and again every Christmas. This book embodies the truth of Christmas from start to finish and is a different but beautiful retelling of the Christmas story. It touches the heart with the deep spirit of the true reason for the season. I can't wait until my grandson is just a year or two older so he will truly understand this Christmas story. It does not indicate who did the illustrations but they are absolutely gorgeous and add such an incredible element to this beautiful little book.
REVIEW: This little book that is a gem for both children and adults alike will definitely be included on my Best of 2015 list as well as being a book that I will keep to read again and again every Christmas. This book embodies the truth of Christmas from start to finish and is a different but beautiful retelling of the Christmas story. It touches the heart with the deep spirit of the true reason for the season. I can't wait until my grandson is just a year or two older so he will truly understand this Christmas story. It does not indicate who did the illustrations but they are absolutely gorgeous and add such an incredible element to this beautiful little book.
July 13, 2015
It is a very moving story. One that will touch your heart. Ted Dekker is a very powerful witter and it was a great joy that he wrote this Christmas story for us to touch out hearts and get there real meaning of Christmas.
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
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
December 4, 2014
What a wonderful story of hope, faith and redemption. Follow a mute orphan boy who is treated as an outcast but hangs on to his dying mothers prophecy through two long years. Even though he feels like giving up one time he holds on to God's promise that his mother has passed on to him as she died. A story that even older kids will treasure. One of the best Christmas books I've read! Two thumbs up!
January 6, 2015
Absolutely stunning story of Reuben, a mute boy who receives a promise and a gift from his dying mother. It takes time and perseverance to receive fulfillment of the promise but oh the fulfillment!
I can not recommend this one more highly. Minimal time commitment involved for the pleasure received!
I can not recommend this one more highly. Minimal time commitment involved for the pleasure received!
October 15, 2008
An unusual and unique christmas short story. A young boy grows up mistreated and unloved by all except his adopted mother. When she dies he finds it hard to hold out for hope that he will be loved again or even needed.
May 1, 2017
A sweet, short story, woven into the biblical account of Jesus' birth very nicely. A great discussion starter with children or small groups on topics like perseverance, hope, faith, treatment of orphans or those different than us. It's a treasure trove of good things!
December 7, 2008
Very nicely done!
January 12, 2009
A short book about love, faith and commitment.
November 27, 2009
A nice little Christmas legend that might be used at various Christmas gatherings.
January 7, 2011
Just read this (I know Christmas has passed, but I still felt like reading it).
Such a sweet story! I completely loved it! It even brought tears to my eyes!
Such a sweet story! I completely loved it! It even brought tears to my eyes!
January 8, 2015
I loved this little book. Such a beautiful story.
December 4, 2016
Beautiful illustrations!
November 13, 2025
A little disappointed in the story, good concept but did not have the passion seen in other Ted Dekker books…. But the second read through was much better, and I enjoyed the story.
December 13, 2015
Perfect for this season. Wonderful to read to children this time of year!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews