DELLA IN NAZARETH tells the story of eight-year-old Della who travels back through space and time to live as the fourth member of the Holy Family with Joseph, Mary and twelve-year-old Jesus. Come journey with Della for a mystical experience in the wonderful world of Nazareth.
Targeted Age Group:: 10-15yer olds
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I desire to instill in little hearts love and devotion to the Holy Family. This book will be a blessing for little souls to grow in holiness and purity. I was inspired to write this book by the Holy Family so as to share the love, joy and peace of their little home in Nazareth with all the children in the world.
Book Sample
A WISH COME TRUE
“Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth and He continued to be subject to them. As for His mother, she kept all these in her heart.”
“And then what happened?” lying on her bed, eight year old Della eagerly looked up at her Mom who was reading the Bible story to her.
Closing the Bible and placing it on the shelf, Rebecca answered “Then Jesus grew up to become a big, strong man.”
“So fast? How can that be?” Della wondered, a little upset. “He was just twelve a while ago!”
“Go to sleep now, Della.” Rebecca responded as she tucked the blanket around Della and kissed her goodnight before turning out the light and leaving the room.
In the stillness of her dark room, faintly illumined by the moonlight, Della turned to her side and slid her hand beneath the pillow. She pulled out a little card and glanced at it, observing the figures of St Joseph, Mother Mary and little Jesus. Della loved the Holy Family and she loved to hear stories of the Holy Family.
A soft breeze gently lifted the curtains and Della turned her gaze to the glittering stars in the night sky. As she sat up on her bed, the cool wind softly blew past her brown curls. Staring dreamily into the distant sky and resting her chin on her knees, Della sighed and whispered, “Jesus, I want to come to Nazareth. I want to know more about that hidden life of little Jesus.”
Holding onto the Holy Family card, she closed her eyes and continued to pray silently in her heart. From Heaven, Jesus smiled at Della’s prayer.
Heeding to her request, Jesus decided to open the door of Nazareth once again, for little Della.
As Della was praying, a heavenly radiance filled her room. Sensing the strange light, Della opened her eyes and was stunned to see a tall beautiful Angel with long golden hair, wearing a dazzling silver gown and large white wings, smiling at her. The Angel spoke “Della, I am your Guardian Angel. I bring you a message from our Lord Jesus.”
The Angel stepped near her and gently raised Della’s chin. Bending over, Angel kissed her forehead and smiling sweetly into Della’s wonderstruck eyes, whispered “Jesus has heard your prayer. He has invited you to his home in Nazareth…to be the fourth member of the Holy Family. I’ve come to take you there.”
“Really?” Della was delighted.
“But how do we get there Angel?” Della wondered.
Angel smiled and moved towards the window. Pulling aside the curtains, Angel pointed to the stars…
“See the bright shining stars in the sky? They will lead us. We’ll follow the stars Home.”
Follow the stars Home… Let’s follow the stars Home
Holding on tight onto Angel’s hand, as Della surged through the clouds, her heart sang….
It’s like a dream come true!
Clouds I am flying through
Leading me to You,
In a whole new view!
Shining stars above
Twinkle on me now
And the wind whispers
‘You’re in the universe!’
I’m gonna be a part of history,
Reveal a mystery
The hidden life in Nazareth
will now be there
For the whole world to see!
I’m gonna join the Holy Family
We’ll be together till eternity
The hidden life in Nazareth
will now be there
For the whole world to see!
I just can’t wait to see my destiny
I just can’t wait to know the mystery
Spotting an unusually big and bright star, Della excitedly pointed at it and said “Angel look! That star reminds me of the Christmas star that led the three wise men to the stable where Jesus was.”
Angel smiled. “Maybe it could lead us to where He is right now!”
Saying this, Angel made a quick dash towards the sparkling star. Della felt both thrilled and scared as they zoomed higher and the star shone brighter. She closed her eyes to the powerful radiance that was enveloping her. Della couldn’t see anything and the wind was powerfully whooshing at her that she couldn’t hear anything, but she clearly caught the next few words Angel spoke “Della you are on your own now. Have a wonderful time in Nazareth!”
Suddenly, Angel left Della’s hand!
Whoops! Down fell Della….like star falling from the sky above. She swooshed through the clouds and whirled with the wind. Della couldn’t remember anything more, for she lost consciousness in that fall.
*** “Della!” whispered the gentle voice of a lady. Della didn’t move. She was still unconscious. The lady smiled and lowered her white veil, revealing her beautiful, long, straight, brown hair. Picking up few moist strands of her hair, she placed them cautiously over Della’s eyelashes and squeezed. Two drops of dew slipped down from her silky hair onto Della’s eyelids that twitched at the feel of the fresh cool dew. Della flickered open her eyes to behold the sweet, gentle face of a beautiful smiling lady in white veil and blue mantle. Instantly, Della’s heart whispered who it was.
“Mother Mary, it’s you!” Della exclaimed as she sat up with wide eyes and a thumping heart.
Mary smiled and softly kissed Della’s forehead. “Welcome home Della!”
“Home?” Della wondered as she looked around amazed, for now she was in a strange room, sitting up on a wooden bed near an open window through which the golden sunshine streamed in and the morning breeze blew in. Looking out the window, Della saw a beautiful rainbow in the morning sky, sweet scented flowers swaying in the sunshine, excitedly twittering birds hopping from tree to tree, the dancing bees and the fluttering butterflies. “How did I get here?” she wondered out loud.
Just then, two hands crept up from behind her and covered Della’s eyes “Guess who?” asked the cheery voice of a boy.
Della felt the hands that had sealed her eyes. “Jesus?!” she whispered.
The boy giggled as he released his grasp and kissed her cheek.
Della turned around to see Jesus, ‘face to face’. He looked a lot like his mother. His radiant face and sparkling eyes reflected the gentleness of love, just like Mary’s did.
“Are you still twelve years old?” Della innocently asked.
Jesus smiled “I’ll soon be thirteen.” he replied.
“Great!” Della was pleased “I want to know all what happens before you turn thirty!”
The door creaked open and a man’s head popped in “Is Della awake yet?”
One glance at that bearded face and Della declared “St Joseph!”
Joseph smiled and drew near Della. He affectionately held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead.
“My child, we are happy to have you here. You are now part of this family…you are my daughter, Della.” he said “Welcome home.”
Della was soooo happy she didn’t know what to say. But her eyes spoke what her heart desired to say as they welled with tears of joy!
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Author Bio:
Sr. Mary Joe CSN is from the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth and desires to spread devotion to the Holy Family through the book 'DELLA IN NAZARETH'
