In every heart there is a longing to love and to be loved. In The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross, meet Nissim—a shepherd boy whose name means “miracle” or “wonder.” Nissim’s hope for a Messiah is fulfilled when he encounters the love of the Christ-child at Bethlehem. When Nissim meets that Messiah once again at Calvary, will he be able to offer his gift of love in return?
Patrick O’Hearn is a husband and father. He is the author of The Parents of the Saints: The Hidden Heroes Behind Our Favorite Saints and co-author of Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today’s Parents. You can visit his website at ContemplativeHeartPress.com. The shepherds are his favorite characters in the Nativity story because they were simple, overlooked, and vigilant.
Michael Corsini is a husband, father, and homesteader. He is also an artist, musician, and author. He has illustrated Sitting Like a Saint by Dr. Gregory and Barbra Bottaro; the Little Convent in the Big City series by Mother Clare, C.F.R.; and several other Catholic children’s books. You can visit his website at MichaelCorsini.com. St. Joseph is his favorite character in the Nativity story because of his strength and courage to follow God’s will.

Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author of Consecration to St. Joseph

Kimberly Hahn, Author of Chosen and Cherished and Host of the Beloved and Blessed Podcast

Mike Sweeney, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, 5x Major League Baseball All Star,
Husband to Shara and Father to Michael, McKara, Donovan, Fiona, Quinn, and Ryan

Katie Warner, Bestselling Children’s Book Author at FirstFaithTreasury.com

Fr. Michael J. Denk, Priest of the Diocese of Cleveland
Lindsay Schlegel –
My daughter made her First Communion last year at Christmas Eve, and I wish we’d had this book then! The connections between Jesus’ birth and death are profound, and they are explored with beauty and grace in this book. Often we think of Christmas and Easter as separate holidays, but this book connects the dots between them beautifully. The story is easy to get into and I loved the main character right away. Nissan’s love for God is portrayed with joy. His journey through life keeps his faith at the fore. And the way it ends just about brought me to tears. There are some great, simple prayer resources in the back, too. Another wonderful children’s book from Emmaus Road.