The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus

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Pub Date Dec 05 2024 | Archive Date May 31 2025

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Description

A religious satire. A comedic retelling of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus with sensibilities similar to the Book of Mormon and Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Early Reviews of the book:
"A fun, pithy sendup of one of the best-known origin stories." -Kirkus Reviews

"...a sharp, shrewd, witty, and occasionally wacky alternate-universe Bible..." -Greg Thompson, TV writer-producer of Bob's Burgers

"This book merits book-club discussion and argument." -Glenn R. Miller, author of Doorman Wanted

Book Summary:

On a warm Galilean night, Mary and Joseph get to know each other (in the biblical sense) in a secluded garden in Nazareth. Nine months later, Mary's pious mother, seeing that her young, unwed daughter is pregnant, enlists the help of a pompous high priest to characterize the pregnancy as divine, of God's seed. When Mary refuses to go along with her mother's scheme, she and Joseph enter a battle with her parents over every aspect of the birth and the fate of their baby.

As word of a miraculous virgin birth spreads through Bethlehem, factions form, and allegiances shift among unscrupulous shepherds, dubious Wise Men, an elderly innkeeper, an earnest but malodorous peasant and an aging cat with a penchant for prophecy-all trying to answer the crucial question: Is the baby named Jesus truly the Son of God or merely a mortal born of earthly parents?

A religious satire. A comedic retelling of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus with sensibilities similar to the Book of Mormon and Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Early Reviews of the book:
"A...


Advance Praise

"Bill Burkland has written a sharp, shrewd, witty, and occasionally wacky alternate universe Bible -- though who's to say whether his version might be closer to the truth? Greg Thompson, writer-producer, Bob's Burgers

“A fun, pithy sendup of one of the best-known origin stories.” – Kirkus Reviews

“I swear to God, if Bible class had been as fun as Bill Burkland’s The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus, I would still be enrolled. Fun, funny, and wise, Misconceived Conception is the Gospel as written by Matthew, Mark, Abbott and Costello. To say I loved Burkland’s humor, wit, and cleverness within this book would serve as an understatement. In Burkland’s brilliant hands, cats talk and think, shepherds are high, wise men stoop low, and Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus are lovingly human characters. This book merits book club discussion and argument. Don’t forget the wineskins.” Glenn R. Miller, author of Doorman Wanted

“Take one part of The Chosen and two parts of The Life of Brian and you end up with a whimsical look at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  Bill Burkland’s novel is a wild satirical look at the events narrated by the gospel written by  Luke.  From overbearing parents, to clueless wise men, to confused shepherds The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus is a funny and creative retelling of the birth story of Jesus.”
Rick Spees, author of Capitol Gains

“History depends on the quality of research and perspective of the historian. In The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus, author Bill Burkland’s version of 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' will blow your mind and might even raise a chuckle or two. It’s satire that could earn you a ticket down under, and I don’t mean Australia. Take care. If you read it, you just might burst into flames.” John J Jessop, Author, Pleasuria: Take as Directed, Murder by Road Trip, The Realtor's Curse, A Fishy Tale, The Guardian Angel Series


"Bill Burkland has written a sharp, shrewd, witty, and occasionally wacky alternate universe Bible -- though who's to say whether his version might be closer to the truth? Greg Thompson...


Marketing Plan

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BookTrib syndicated newspaper article (2M circulation)

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Social Media Campaigns

Available for in-person or virtual book club discussions

Amazon Sponsored Product Ads

BookTrib syndicated newspaper article (2M circulation)

Reach out to podcasters

Social Media Campaigns

Available for in-person or virtual book club discussions


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9798888245392
PRICE $7.99 (USD)
PAGES 246

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Featured Reviews

Oh my Lord!!! Absolutely loved reading this book.

Bill Burkland you have not only made my Christmas 2024 but I'll never look at a Nativity scene the same again. The Three Wisemen (or was there five?) completely cracked me up. And should there really have been Hippopotamus of God!!!

A real laugh out loud read with a little thought provoking too.

#billburkland #themisconceivedconceptionofababynamedjesus #koehlerbooks

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