---
product_id: 2104558
title: "Before Bethlehem"
brand: "james j. flerlage"
price: "₪83"
currency: ILS
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.co.il/products/2104558-before-bethlehem
store_origin: IL
region: Israel
---

# Before Bethlehem

**Brand:** james j. flerlage
**Price:** ₪83
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Before Bethlehem by james j. flerlage
- **How much does it cost?** ₪83 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.il](https://www.desertcart.co.il/products/2104558-before-bethlehem)

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## Description

Before Bethlehem

## Images

![Before Bethlehem - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wxcJyTmHL.jpg)
![Before Bethlehem - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31QByfz8IXL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Few have I seen, who can weave a tale so vivid.
  

*by K***R on Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2023*

This book is so very unlike the books I normally read, yet the narrative that this author has created is so evocative that I was quickly and fully immersed in the story. Although I don't consider myself to be overtly religious, at times I shed tears as read along. I find myself wishing he had written just a few more chapters, although I can see why he ended it where he did.While the story does not beat you over the head with heavy-handed morality tales, there are good life lessons within for those who wish to explore them. After the end of the tale, the author included an appendix, breaking down the story piece-by-piece into a logical lesson plan for those wishing to use it as such. Yet the story was so well crafted that those divisions were invisible as I initially read the book.He is an inspired author.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Good moments and ideals but few female characters that were not well written, especially May mother of Jesus
  

*by J***I on Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014*

This book is filled with beautiful ideals and philosophical discussions. I loved the conversations between James and Joseph. There are a lot of good and thoughtful viewpoints to take away from this story regarding love, forgiveness, religion, and hope.“God's ways of providing for his people are often misunderstood.” - JosephI liked the exploration of the Biblical world. From Joseph’s farm, to crossing the Jordan, to trekking through the cities, to traveling to Bethlehem, the historical setting was vivid. I thought using Migdal Eder as the place where Mary gave birth was an intriguing idea that was close enough to be probable, since the description of the stable is not very detailed in the Bible (unlike the description of the ark’s size, etc.)."Father’s eyes were lost in the embers of our past; his ears were clogged like the streets of Jerusalem with memories of my mother talking and laughing." – James’ thoughtsI really liked this story, that is, until the characterization of Mary and her influence on the story line began. She was judgmental and simply not a nice person! I expected a little more care and empathy from the stories left to us about her. Instead, there are lots of moments of complaining about the people who were not the same religion and were “unclean.” This got very frustrating. If God chose her to be the mother of Jesus, I would think she would have a more open mind. Plus her relationship with Joseph was never given time to develop for the readers."The clouds gathered around the sun like shrubs, but the rays shone through like yellow staircases to the heavens." – James’ thoughtsA key element that was missing was Joseph’s dream. This was never mentioned in the story. While trusting Mary’s word without divine intervention does speak well of the author’s characterization of Joseph, this missing element distracted me from the rest of the story. I kept thinking, is it going to happen now? Joseph was well defined in the story. He (along with James) was an easy person to follow in the story. So not including this moment was a disappointment. He deserved a divine moment too!“Suspicions and accusations are like smoke, my son. They rise up and spread quickly, and when the fire is put out, the scent of the smoke still lingers. I’m afraid your clothes will smell like smoke for quite some time, and for this I am sorry.” – Rabbi EzraSome concepts were not explained well: (1) I didn't entirely understand the politics that led Joseph to become betrothed to Mary. Plus, when Joseph returned home, it appeared to be all moot? The issue was not really addressed after they returned from getting Mary. (2) There were a few times that pregnant Mary collapsed for no reason. She’d be out for a few moments then wake up. I’m not sure what the point of these spells was, but it was unnecessary. (3) I also did not fully understand the Roman hierarchy. Joseph has a seal from one person, but he can’t show it to this person, but it’s supposed to ensure his safety to that other person… it was all muddled. Including a section for dramatis personae would have been helpful. (4) The story ended abruptly. It did not end the story on a hopeful note. It did not relate back to the beginning, and it did not wrap things up well.Jude: “Father, why does God create moments so horrific yet ones so peaceful?”Joseph: “He already created the river, just like he created the heavens and the earth and the animals. He gave us – all of us – minds with which to think and hearts with which to decide.”In summary, I liked the first half of the story. It was a story of James’ growth religiously and emotionally. The female characters (while few) were not well written. The ending was unsatisfying. However, the book had some good thought-provoking moments. I believe that I would read another story by this author and hope his story would give the reader more character & relationship development.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    masterful storytelling, but Biblically inaccurate
  

*by C***H on Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2013*

So here's the thing. If you are not Catholic, and want to read this story, you need  to make up your mind right now to accept that this book is going to stray from nearly everything you know to be true. If you read it as a work of pure fiction, you will enjoy it. However, if you read it as "Biblical fiction", you're going to want to throw your Kindle across the room a thousand times. Save yourself the aggravation and just don't buy it if you are looking for something that will line up with Scripture, because this one strays so far from it, and so frequently, that it will be a waste of your money.BUT... if you are willing to read it as simply a work of fiction that is (very, very) loosely based on something resembling the Bible, then cozy up on your couch for a great read. Despite a few typos that should have been caught by the editor, James J Flerlage writes a beautiful tale that brings the characters into vivid focus.Because I am not Catholic, I do forewarn readers what they can expect to find troublesome... So here are the highlights... or should I say the low-lights... and this is definitely not an all-inclusive list.NOTE: The list below may be considered  spoilers, although I am taking care to be as vague as I possibly can while still giving the heads up about what contradicts Biblical teaching.* Based on Catholic theology; Mary claims to have known no sin. The book follows the traditional Catholic teaching of perpetual virginity and assumes that Joseph already had a family with a previous wife who had died. His youngest son is almost as old as Mary is.* I suppose this may also be from Catholic teaching, although I've never heard of it, the author portrays Mary as having also been of miraculous birth, and set aside for God's service in the temple from infancy.* Contrary to the Catholic Encyclopedia and many Protestant and Jewish theologian's analysis of the two accounts of lineage, the author is terribly mixed up on the genealogy. Perhaps he was trying to make it more palatable by writing Mary as Joseph's step-father's distant cousin, rather than being biologically closer kin.* Joseph, in this novel, is never visited by an angel. Instead, it is Nicodemus who informs Joseph that the child Mary is carrying is the Messiah.* The birth did not happen in Bethlehem, there was no Inn, and they weren't even travelling to take part in the census.* The whole account of the Magi was incorrect.* In fact, the whole timeline of the events surrounding the birth is all messed up and convoluted.So with all of these inaccuracies, why did I choose to give it 4 stars? Because I read the poorest reviews on Amazon first, and knew that I should not expect it to be true Biblical fiction. I made up my mind beforehand that I would accept the Catholic predisposition. And frankly, because it was one of the most engaging stories I've read in a while.

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*Product available on Desertcart Israel*
*Store origin: IL*
*Last updated: 2026-01-31*