The Promise and the Light

Sinclair B Ferguson

We usually watch the Christmas story unfold from the outside looking in, as we see Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and then the wise men all arrive in Bethlehem. But what would it have looked like to be on the inside? Katy Morgan’s The Promise and the Light helps young readers imagine what it might have felt like for Mary and Joseph. And it leaves us hoping there will be a sequel describing what happened next!

Tim Chester

Fed up with school nativities and sentimental Christmas cards? Then The Promise and the Light is for you. It’s a fantastic retelling of the Christmas story from the perspective of those who witnessed it first-hand. It’s historically informed and beautifully reimagined. The result is an engrossing tale through which the message of Jesus shines.

“Used as a Giveaway”

We were looking for a giveaway book for teens in our community. This fit the bill really well.

“Used as a Giveaway”

We were looking for a giveaway book for teens in our community. This fit the bill really well.

“Brings the real Christmas to life”

Absolutely brilliant retelling of the Christmas story for both kids and grown ups. We laughed out loud with Boaz the donkey, and cried alongside Joseph and Mary. It brings the Christmas story home in a very real and understandable way. We especially valued the way it ties the NT events to the OT prophecies, and the questions at the back. Utterly brilliant. Made me realise afresh how scandalous Jesus' birth was. The only slight hesitation I would flag is that Mary having a baby in her tummy without Joseph, raises all kinds of questions which some parents might prefer not to open at the stage their children are at.

“Brings the real Christmas to life”

Absolutely brilliant retelling of the Christmas story for both kids and grown ups. We laughed out loud with Boaz the donkey, and cried alongside Joseph and Mary. It brings the Christmas story home in a very real and understandable way. We especially valued the way it ties the NT events to the OT prophecies, and the questions at the back. Utterly brilliant. Made me realise afresh how scandalous Jesus' birth was. The only slight hesitation I would flag is that Mary having a baby in her tummy without Joseph, raises all kinds of questions which some parents might prefer not to open at the stage their children are at.

“Ideal for young readers”

I enjoyed reading this and the copies I sent to my grandkids were very well received. It's ideal for young readers to get them involved in the Christmas story. The inclusion of the stories of the minor characters added mystery and drama, but did not detract from the true story. A beautiful book and not just for the youngsters.

“Ideal for young readers”

I enjoyed reading this and the copies I sent to my grandkids were very well received. It's ideal for young readers to get them involved in the Christmas story. The inclusion of the stories of the minor characters added mystery and drama, but did not detract from the true story. A beautiful book and not just for the youngsters.

“A great retelling of the Christmas story”

This is a delightful and imaginitive re telling of the very familiar story, which adds a real freshness and Biblical insights which I really enjoyed, and indeed learned from. Great for family advent studies, suitable for junior age plus,and very conveniently divided into 25 readings. I expect many families will use this annually

“A great retelling of the Christmas story”

This is a delightful and imaginitive re telling of the very familiar story, which adds a real freshness and Biblical insights which I really enjoyed, and indeed learned from. Great for family advent studies, suitable for junior age plus,and very conveniently divided into 25 readings. I expect many families will use this annually

“A triumph!”

I absolutely love The Promise and the Light! I know I'm not exactly the target audience (slight understatement there!) but reading it gave such a freshness to what can be an over-familiar story. Whilst including what we do actually know as fact (and I did greatly appreciate the section at the back which sorts fact from Christmas fiction), Katy Morgan really does bring the personalities to life. Mary and Joseph feel like real people complete with faults, failings, frustrations, embarrassment, humour and fear. I thought that the way Morgan presents Mary's devotion to God is deftly handled. The invention of characters with whom the major players can interact is pure genius in terms of what we are able to learn about the culture and context of the story, without feeling that we are being lectured. I loved it! Having started reading it just as a story, I actually ended up using it in my quiet times for the week. I raved about it to the others involved in our youth group and likened it to The Chosen which is a series that many of them have watched. I've now handed it over to one of the church families, whose daughter IS in the target age group and look forward to hearing her response. Many congratulations to all involved. A triumph!