In Christmas the Original Story Margaret Barker explores the nature of the Christmas stories and the nature and use of Old Testament prophecy. Beginning with John's account, it then goes on to include Luke and Matthew, the apocryphal gospels, and the traditions of the Coptic Church, to throw light upon wise men and their gifts, the character of Herod, Matthew's use of prophecy, the holy family in Egypt. This book also discusses the stories we get from the Infancy Gospel of Jesus and the development of the Orthodox Christmas icon, as well as the Christmas story and the Mary material in the Koran.

Margaret Barker

Cover page

About the author

Title page

Imprint

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

1. The setting

2. Other voices

3. Luke

4. Matthew

5. The Infancy Gospel of James and translation of the text

6. The Qur’an and translation of selected passages

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Barker, Margaret

__In Christmas the Original Story Margaret Barker explores the nature of the Christmas stories and the nature and use of Old Testament prophecy.__

Beginning with John's account, it then goes on to include Luke and Matthew, the apocryphal gospels, and the traditions of the Coptic Church, to throw light upon wise men and their gifts, the character of Herod, Matthew's use of prophecy, the holy family in Egypt.

This book also discusses the stories we get from the Infancy Gospel of Jesus and the development of the Orthodox Christmas icon, as well as the Christmas story and the Mary material in the Koran.

This is an accessible book based on scholarly work.

Explores the nature of the Christmas stories and the nature and use of Old Testament prophecy. Beginning with John's account, this book includes Luke and Matthew, the apocryphal gospels, and the traditions of the Coptic Church, to throw light upon wise men and their gifts, the character of Herod, and Matthew's use of prophecy.

In "Christmas, The Original Story", Margaret Barker explores the nature of the Christmas stories and the nature and use of Old Testament prophecy. Beginning with John's account, it then goes on to include Luke and Matthew, the apocryphal gospels, and the traditions of the Coptic Church, to throw light upon wise men and their gifts, the character of Herod, Matthew's use of prophecy, the holy family in Egypt.This book also discusses the stories we get from the Infancy Gospel of Jesus and the development of the Orthodox Christmas icon, as well as the Christmas story and the Mary material in the Koran.

"'Margaret Barker's interpretation of temple theology should not be ignored by anyone interested in Judaism and the origins of Christian faith.' John McDade, Principal of Heythrop College, University of London"

Margaret Barker is a well-known and high-selling author and former president of the Society for Old Testament study. She is a member of the ecumenical Patriarch's Symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment and a Methodist Local Preacher. She is the author of major and influential works such as The Great High Priest (2003), The Revelation of Jesus Christ (2000) and The Risen Lord (1996). Her Temple Theology (2004) was short listed for the Michael Ramsey Prize, and she was awarded the honour of a Lambeth degree in 2008.

KATHLEEN BRYdon

Enjoying this book, about the original story of Christmas, Margaret Barker writes with knowledge and in a way that is understandable

Theological reading

The Good Book Stall

Though written in an academic style I found this book fascinating. Margaret Barker uses her knowledge of temple tradition and Jewish culture in the time of Jesus, combined with research into ancient writings both Christian and secular, to explore the Christmas story. She sets the scene by writing of the temple, the stories and the politics of the time, and then introduces what she terms ‘other voices’, Adam, The Lady and The Hidden Descent. Having got us thoroughly intrigued she takes us through the Gospels of Luke, Matthew and The Infancy Gospel of James mentioning other writings on the way. Finally she explains the story as told in the Qur’an and finishes with extracts from a translation of the Qur’an. Very readable, I learnt a great deal that I didn’t know before.

Christmas: The Original Story

Christmas, the Original Story

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Christmas, the Original Story

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