Fr. Raymond E. Brown, D.D., (1928-1998) was the Auburn Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Author of some twenty-five books on the Bible and past president of three of the most important biblical societies in the world, by appointment of two popes (Paul VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1996) he was a member of the Roman Pontifical Biblical Commission. Time magazine has called him "probably the premier Catholic Scripture scholar in the U.S."

• ContentsForeword   7Introduction   On Putting an Adult Christ Back into Christmas   1The First Christmas Story (Matthew 2:1-23)The Meaning of the Magi; the Significance of the Star   10The Second Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-40)Part I (2:1-21):The Meaning of the Manger; the Significance of the Shepherds   15Part II (2:22-40):The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple   25The Third Christmas Story (Luke 2:41-52)The Finding of the Boy Jesus in the Temple   37