Nichols turns his award-winning writing career to bring to life the greatest mystery of all time in The Third Dawn: the Life of Jesus, from Bethlehem to Golgotha.
Nur, Jesus' lifelong friend and colleague, journeys through the cities and towns alongside the Messiah’s providing the reader with a firsthand adaptation of His earthly years. Nur bears witness to Jesus’ service to man seeking out the rich and the poor, believers and nonbelievers, comforting them through the hardships and joys.
Nichol’s gifted storytelling brings this unique perspective of The Messiah to life, providing a rare snapshot into His inner thoughts, emotions, and ultimate evolution to power, bearing witness to the miracle on the mountaintop above Capernaum, through and follow His earthly life’s journey.
The Third Dawn was initially published in 2011 but is now updated with new dialogue and more detailed settings.
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The shadows of Mount Tabor crept across the desert floor toward the city. A young boy clad in a calf-length grey tunic, belt, and sandals glanced over his shoulder as he entered the synagogue grounds. From this moment forward, he will be at the heart and soul of events that will transform the future of the human race.
Nearby in their home, Anne and Joachim, the soon-to-be grandparents of Mary's baby, settled in for their evening meal. Unbeknownst to them, a youngster had trekked across the deserts of Samaria and Galilee to deliver a message from the Eternal Father to them.
Joachim lowered himself onto the cushion alongside the table and bade his wife to join him. The house servants, Rachel and Nadab, served wine in elegant clay cups, dried fish, goat cheese, and a fresh pomegranate and melon to each of them, then retired to their quarters.
"Anne," Joachim said, "our trust in the Lord gives me great pleasure even though we don't understand His intentions. God's plan for our
grandson is wondrous, and we are His servants. But I must admit, I don't understand it." Lifting the cup to his lips and sipping the wine, he looked out the window at the gathering darkness. He paused, took a deep breath, and glanced at Anne.
She spoke softly, with a melodic tone. "Our ancestors wrote that the Messiah would spring from the house of David. Our family has
prepared over many generations for His coming, but we knew not when nor to whom this blessed gift would occur." She inhaled deeply, paused, and smiled at her husband. "Now our daughter carries the Savior in her womb."
She watched in silence as Joachim rose and walked to the window, where he stared at the gathering stars and the moon. She bit her lip as a single tear coursed down her cheek. Rising from her seat, Anne followed her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. She shivered as the unknown sent chills down her spine. At the same time, the knowledge of a grandchild being born into their family gave her a sense of humble pride.
"How could this be?" she asked, and then answered herself. "For no other reason than it is the way of the Lord, and we should never question His way.'
Joachim turned, took her hands in his, and looked into her eyes. "You speak with knowledge not found in other women. It is His way, not ours. This is a sign of the times to come. The Messiah will not be what many
people have thought and prayed for. His coming in this manner is a sign for all I to heed. I don't know what the future holds, but it will not be what the Pharisees and Scribes think.'
Like other young married women, Mary found married life one of excitement and joy but also of new responsibilities. As the child grew in her
womb, she suffered morning sickness and pains in her lower back. Nevertheless, unbounded joy filled her heart and soul. She loved His kicking
and moving about and thought she could understand His moods even though the child sapped more of her energy with each passing day.
Joseph worked from early light until sunset, tending to the needs of his wife and their unborn child and searching for quality timber for the doors, tables, and benches he built for his customers. The days were not
easy, but he never complained.