THE UNEXPECTED GUEST: Stories from Those Who Met Jesus First

You Know the Christmas Story. But You’ve Never Heard It Like This.

What was it like to be there?

To hear angels sing in the midnight sky?

To hold God in your arms when He was just hours old?

To watch the Messiah sleep in a feeding trough?

To say yes to the impossible?

Through twelve unforgettable first-person perspectives, *The Unexpected Guest* invites you into the stable, the fields, the temple—to experience the nativity as if for the first time. These are the witnesses. The overlooked. The ordinary people who encountered the extraordinary.

**Their stories will change how you see Christmas.**

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About the Book

*The Unexpected Guest* tells the greatest story ever told through the eyes of those who lived it. Each chapter is a first-person narrative from someone who encountered Jesus during His birth and early life:

**THE WITNESSES:**

**Dinah** – The innkeeper’s wife who offered her stable

**David** – The shepherd boy who heard angels sing

**Hannah** – The midwife who delivered God into the world

**Reuben** – The elderly shepherd who’d waited a lifetime

**Anna** – The 84-year-old prophetess in the temple

**Simeon** – The faithful man who could finally rest

**Zahir** – The Magi’s servant who found freedom

**Mary** – The teenage girl who said yes

**Joseph** – The carpenter who chose love over law

**Elizabeth** – The woman who believed first

**Leah** – The Bethlehem child who never forgot

**The Donkey** – The humble servant who bore the bearer

Each perspective reveals something new about faith, courage, sacrifice, and encountering God in unexpected places.

**Perfect for:** – Advent devotional reading – Small group study – Personal reflection – Gift-giving – Anyone longing to experience the wonder of Christmas anew —

A Note About the Characters: THE UNEXPECTED GUEST features both biblical and fictional characters:

**From Scripture:** Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna are historical figures mentioned in the Gospels. Their stories follow biblical accounts, though their inner thoughts and dialogue are imagined.

**Created for the Story:** The innkeeper’s wife (Dinah), the shepherd boy (David), the midwife (Hannah), the older shepherd (Reuben), the Magi’s servant (Zahir), and the Bethlehem child (Leah) are fictional characters representing the everyday people who would have witnessed these events.

**Allegorical:** The final chapter, told from the perspective of a donkey, is a symbolic, imaginative exploration. All characters are treated with reverence and grounded in careful research about first-century Jewish life and culture.

*~221 pages of historical fiction grounded in Scripture and first-century research*

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I’ve always loved the Christmas story. But somewhere along the way, it became *too* familiar. Too predictable. I could recite it without really *seeing* it.

Then I started wondering: What was it like for them? For the real people who were there?

What did the innkeeper’s wife think when she offered her stable? What did the shepherd boy feel when angels appeared? How did Mary process the angel’s impossible message? What went through Joseph’s mind when he decided to stay?

This book is my attempt to answer those questions. To step into their sandals. To see through their eyes. To feel what they felt.

These aren’t just historical figures or names in a narrative. They were real people who made real choices that changed history.

Their courage inspires me. Their faith challenges me. Their encounters with Jesus remind me that God still shows up in unexpected ways, through unexpected people, in unexpected places.

I hope their stories do the same for you.

Wanda L. Ball — ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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**Is this book fiction or non-fiction?**

*The Unexpected Guest* is historical fiction based on the biblical accounts in Matthew and Luke. While the basic facts come from Scripture, the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and dialogue have been imagined to bring these ancient stories to life.

**Is it theologically sound?**

Yes. While creative, the book respects Scripture and stays true to Christian theology. All interpretations reflect traditional evangelical understanding of the nativity.

**How long is it?**

Approximately 221 pages. Each chapter can be read in 15-20 minutes, making it perfect for daily Advent reading.

**Can I use it for a small group study?**

Absolutely! Each chapter stands alone and includes discussion-worthy themes.

**Is it appropriate for teenagers?**

Yes. The content is appropriate for teens and adults. Some chapters deal with mature themes (Mary’s scandal, Herod’s massacre) but handle them with sensitivity.

**When does it release?**

November 28, 2025 on Kindle eBook and Paperback

**Can I buy bulk copies for my church?**

Yes! Contact me at wanda@wanda-ball.com for bulk order discounts for churches and small groups.