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The Truth of Christmas:: Beyond the Myths (Studies in Scripture)

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Father René Laurentin (born 1917) is a French theologian who is considered an expert in Mariology; he has written more than fifty books.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book that he was returning once more to the infancy gospels (despite writing two previous books on the general subject) because the earlier books dealt with Luke without treating Matthew 1-2, or their historicity. He adds the fifteen further years of study have also yielded some new facts, conclusions, and methods.

He refers to the notion that Jesus was born in a cave as a "respectable tradition." (Pg. 182)

He frankly admits that the narratives of Matthew and Luke differ by about 99% of the text. (Pg. 302-303)

He finds that the details which Matthew preserves---notably, the virgin conception and the Nazarean origin of Jesus---support his credibility, since he did not feel free to not include them. (Pg. 324)

In dealing with the census of Quirinius, he suggests that Luke might have meant to indicate that it PRECEDED the one which Quirinius had taken as governor of Syria. (Pg. 329)

He rejects the suggestion the Luke gives the genealogy of Mary. (Pg. 343)

This is a detailed, critical study of the birth/infancy narratives, which will be of great interest to those interested in serious biblical studies.

I read this book 12 years ago, but never had a copy. Some of the detailed work done here by Laurentin cannot be found elsewhere. I thought it would be worth adding to my bookshelf and pulling out every Christmas.

I ONLY recommend this for people who are serious about their love of Sacred Scripture.