The Family of Jesus Brought to Life

I am always looking for books that align with my faith. I also look for books that are different from those I have already read. That is why I was excited for the chance to review The Family of Jesus.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book compliments of Family Christian to facilitate The Family of Jesus review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.
The Family of Jesus is the newest book by Karen Kingsbury. In The Family of Jesus she gives us a glimpse into what life may have been like for those that were closest to Jesus. Through this book I had the chance to see things through the eyes of Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, James (his brother) and Mary.
To me, the approach of this book is so unique. Haven’t we all wondered the details behind what we have read and know well. How did Joseph feel through the amazing journey from his engagement of Mary to becoming her husband and raising the Messiah? What was it like knowing you’re raising the Promised Savior or growing up with him? I have always imagined how it might be, but The Family of Jesus really brought it to life for me.
The question may be – how does Karen Kingsbury know these details? She took a lot of time to really study The Bible and become familiar with them, and she added the emotional fictional details. To add these details, though, she really worked hard to discover what things were like in that time. She uses historical and theological insights to truly develop the story to be close to what it really would have been like.
This is a book I could really get into. I felt like I was getting an inside look to the questions I’ve already had. I also felt like it wasn’t too “far fetched,” but rather realistic to how things may have been. It opens up the true emotions they may have been feeling and the unique journey they each took as relatives of Jesus.
What I found so unique about The Family of Jesus is that it really gave me new insight. For example, I hadn’t before thought much of Jesus and John the Baptist interacting as children and how they just connected as cousins that both had a purpose in the ultimate sacrifice – John paving the way for his cousin Jesus. Plus, as children the feelings of just wondering what it all meant. Can you imagine being told as a child you would play a part in the salvation of the people?
I have also tried to imagine what Mary must have felt knowing she was raising the Savior that would one day have to make the ultimate sacrifice. As parents, we hope to never see anything happen to our children, and just knowing the emotions she must have felt that day – well, it brought tears to my eyes. It made it so much more real to me.
At the end of the book there is also a Group Discussion Guide and Bible study. It correlates with each chapter with the family member and shares additional insight including what we do know of them through The Bible. It encourages reading chapters from The Bible and asks questions that are relevant to our own lives.
Overall, I am so glad I had the chance to review The Family of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury. It gave me a new perspective and encouraged me to dig deeper as well.

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Giveaway!!

Would you like to win The Family of Jesus? One winner will receive The Family of Jesus. This giveaway will run from 8/8 – 8/21 at 10pm Central Time and is open to US residents ages 18+. Enter the giveaway now!