Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy NarrativesThe New York Times bestselling final volume in the Pope’s Jesus of Nazareth series, detailing how the stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago. In 2007, Joseph Ratzinger published his first book as Pope Benedict XVI in order “to make known the figure and message of Jesus.” Now, the Pope focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life as a child. The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmations of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary. This is a story of longing and seeking, as demonstrated by the Magi searching for the redemption offered by the birth of a new king. It is a story of sacrifice and trusting completely in the wisdom of God as seen in the faith of Simeon, the just and devout man of Jerusalem, when he is in the presence of the Christ child. Ultimately, Jesus’ life and message is a story for today, one that speaks to the restlessness of the human heart searching for the sole truth which alone leads to profound joy. |
Contents
| vii | |
| xi | |
| xiii | |
The Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist and | 14 |
CHAPTER III | 58 |
The Wise Men from the East and the Flight into Egypt | 89 |
EPILOGUE | 120 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham account of Jesus Ahaz angel annunciation appears Assyria Augustus becomes beginning belongs Bethlehem betrothed birth of Jesus Book of Daniel Caesar Augustus child Christian comes conception and birth concrete context Covenant David divine Emmanuel evangelist event exegesis exegetes faith father first-born Flavius Josephus fulfilled Gabriel genealogy Gerhard Delling Gnilka God's heart Herod Holy Spirit human infancy narrative inner interpretation inwardly Isaiah Israel Jesus Christ Jesus was born Jewish Judea king kingdom kingship linked lives Lord Luke's Gospel Magi manger Mary's Matthew and Luke mission mother Mother of Jesus mystery Nazareth Nazirite obedience Old Testament origin passage present promise prophecy prophet provenance Psalm question reference Saint Joseph salvation sense shepherds star story of Jesus Temple theological throne tion tradition true truly virgin birth Virgin Mary whole womb word Zechariah