Piero Capichioni

In the City of David: a Story of the First Christmas Piero Capichioni

In the City of David is the story of Samuel, a wealthy innkeeper whose life is dominated by selfishness and greed. His material blessings cannot take away the anger and resentment born of personal tragedies, and he lives in fear of future misfortunes. It is also the story of Nathan, a shepherd whose poverty and physical shortcomings cause him to doubt the value and meaning of his own life. And it is the story of Hannah, the beautiful young daughter of a shepherd whose happy life is disrupted by her engagement to a man she doesn't even like, much less love. Through the eyes of these and other characters ancient Bethlehem comes to life. As the story unfolds we see the daily struggles of the people, some unique to that time but others similar to the struggles we ourselves face today. But in the midst of suffering and fear an amazing event occurs. "I have come to bring you glad tidings," the angel said. "Today in the city of David a savior, the Messiah, has been born. You will find an infant lying in a manger." With those words God's messenger proclaims the fulfillment of His promise to Israel. The birth of that child changed Bethlehem and the people living there. In time it would change the world.