Charles J Caes – författare

Seven Hundred Years to Bethlehem: The Story of the Magi and the Birth of Jesus of Nazareth

In his Gospel, Matthew briefly mentions wise men from the east who followed a celestial ray of light to Bethlehem. They were Magi. As in the case of all biblical passages, a little investigation into this one opens brand-new windows of insight into the past, and historians and other scholars regularly climb through these windows to verify truths and uncover new mysteries. They study, analyze, and speculate not only on the significance of scriptural words and syntax but also on the stories that lie hidden between the lines. In his new book, Seven Hundred Years to Bethlehem, Charles J. Caes follows after them to bring together the story of the Magi and their search for a promised savior.

Part 1 draws on lay and biblical stories to present a tribal history of the Magi. It covers the seven hundred years from the time ancient wise men arrive on the Iranian plateau until their descendents spot a strange light in the sky and follow it to a stable-cave in Bethlehem. Part 2 draws from canonical and other sources to tell of events surrounding and including the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Magis arrival in Bethlehem to find the Holy Family, and the special courage of the Magi. A final chapter summarizes the life of Jesus and draws from non-canonical texts and other sources to speculate on what may have become of Mary, Joseph, and the Magi.

A Christmas in Princeton

A Christmas in Princeton, is about holly, carols, and joy, but it also celebrates the very reasons for Christmas and its colorful traditions. It is a touching tale of friendship and inspiration, and the mysterious way in which giving can transform the giver. It is a breezy, little tale about the meaning and history of Christmas, and it is full of unexpected thoughtfulness and wisdom for young and old.

Tom Cooper is a young lad obsessed with getting whatever he wants. Not only is he self-centered in all his pursuits but he never reflects on the magic inherent in the world around him. That is, until one very special holiday season when a twist of fate brings him to the door of a rickety old shack. It serves as the home of a reclusive old gent who lives the most spartan existence. A friendship develops, and one that brings about a deep and lasting change in Tom. But Tom never fully understands what has happened to him until many years pass and the shack and its habitant are long gone.

Though this story was inspired by an old gentleman whose church provided him with a humble dwelling for his remaining years, the names of individuals and places have been changed, and unconnected events have been intertwined to weave the story.

A Trilogy of Christmas NovellasIn Mr. Dickens Christmas Eve In London, the famed author is thinking of writing a Christmas story, but he has neither a plot nor a main character, though he has his settingLondon. Whenever he finds himself in such a quandary, Mr. Dickens walks about the citys streets, searching for characters and ideas. Inviting a grumpy, begrudging old friend along by the name of Phineas Frost, he heads into the night on Christmas Eve in 1842. This is Dickens favorite time of year. Families come together and are filled with affection! People everywhere are overcome with generosity, friendship and good cheer! And he finds that the city does not let him down. Before long, he has the characters and ideas for A Christmas Carol, though it will be sometime before he can put the story on paper. The Eighth Choir Celestial and the Birth of the Messiah draws from canonical and noncanonical writings and from speculative Christian theology to spin a warming, affectionate tale of the Nativity of Christ, but from the perspective of the archangel Gabriel. As a member of the eighth choir of celestial beings, his primary responsibility is the deliverance of divine decrees, but he also performs other angelic assignments of extreme importance, including assuring that those things which must happen do indeed occur. The story begins about 15 BCE (Before the Christian Era) when Gabriel visits 5-year-old Mary at the Temple in Jerusalem, and ends with the flight into Egypt. Middle chapters tell the story of Gabriels diligence in watching over Mary from her early childhood to her betrothal, and from the nativity to the flight into Egypt. It also follows Gabriels adventures in assuring the Magi find their way to Bethlehem and are able to outsmart Herod. A Christmas in Princeton, also published separately, celebrates the very reasons for Christmas and its colorful traditions. Young Tom Cooper is preoccupied with getting money to purchase a used bicycle for sale at a shop on Nassau Street in Princeton, but a twist of fate suddenly puts things in proper perspective. A visit to a little shack! A bicycle accident! An epiphany of sorts! A puppy needing a home! Lessons about Christmas! And, finally, the special magic that Christmas brings. Yet, Tom will never fully understand what has happened to him until many years later.

Samuel Prescott rode into history like a streak of lightning and out of it as quick as a flash. If it were not for Paul Reveres deposition of his own famous midnight ride, history might never remember Samuel. He was a young physician courting a clockmakers daughter and planning to dedicate his life to the practice of medicineuntil the American Revolution rewrote his destiny. But this is not only his story; it is also that of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, William Dawes, Paul Revere, Thomas Hutchinson, Jonas Clark, the Mullikens, and those who died at Lexington and Concord and at Breeds and Bunker hills.