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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 226.06
EAN num: 9780814609972
ISBN number: 081460997X
Label: Liturgical Press
Manufacturer: Liturgical Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 50
Printing Date: 1988-11
Publishing house: Liturgical Press
Sale Popularity Level: 63165
Studio: Liturgical Press
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Rated by buyers -
In this brief text, Fr. Brown masterfully distills his biblical exegesis into a form which is digestible by those who do not have a predisposition for exegesis. In this collection of essays based on his larger work "The Birth of the Messiah," Fr. Brown discusses specific motifs from each of the infancy narratives, looking for their significance not only intra-textually but also inter-testamentally. While much of the exegesis remains brief, it is enlightening for each narrative and serves as a "spring board" to further studies as needed and desired. Nonetheless, for its brevity, the content is dense enough to truly give one something upon which to reflect during Advent and Christmas.
Rated by buyers -
One of Raymond Brown's most enduring and significant works is THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH. It is without a doubt the most helpful work for preparing Advent and Christmas homilies as well as Bible studies based on the Advent and Christmas seasons. Though it's filled with great information, it's not quick reading by any stretch of the imagination. A quick reference guide would be more than appreciated by most readers and AN ADULT CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS and a volume that precedes it, A COMING CHRIST IN ADVENT, both published by Liturgical Press, serve this purpose.
AN ADULT CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS looks at the second chapters of Matthew and Luke's Gospels which deal with the birth of Jesus. Brown acknowledges the historical difficulties associated with these stories: Why did people not notice and record the star or Herod's massacre of the infants but doesn't allow these factors to take away from the overall message of Jesus' birth. He pays attention to the theology of the stories, namely that the Infancy Narratives for both Matthew and Luke summarize what we will discover in the Gospels themselves, specifically that upon learning of Jesus Christ some will respond and others will not. Brown further states that these stories challenge readers yesterday in the same manner, so they're not cute stories as much as important lessons for mature believers, hence the titles.
The three essays in this book, the very first of which focuses on Matthew's narrative, the second which looks at Luke's birth narrative and the Presentation in the Temple, and what Brown calls the "Third Christmas Story" or the finding of Christ in the Temple, were originally published as articles in the journal WORSHIP. They're informative and great for group discusion or homily ideas. Because it's a slender volume, it's perfect for an Advent Bible Study series or spiritual reading for people who combine scripture study and prayer. At such a busy time of the year, people want substance but often don't have time for lengthier works. This volume is perfect for that purpose. It's also great for preparing a homily, since it has major themes specifically for Advent. It also has footnotes with references for THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH and other works by Brown which makes it a great beginning for further research.
Rated by buyers 
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Father brown has written some great books. While this is a good book, i would advise some caution here. If you or your church believe in strict literal interpretation of the Bible, this book may not be good for you. That said, this book is an interesting study. Father Brown points out that both Matthew and Luke have passages in the Gospels that tell of Jesus' birth. However, neither Matthew or Luke were present at the birth of Christ. There is a theory that Mother Mary (who was obviously present at the birth of Christ) talked to Matthew and Luke about the birth of Christ. (Father Brown does not seem to believe this.) But even if we accept this theory as true, it does not disprove the important facts that Father Brown points out.
The 1st thing he points out is that while Matthew and Luke give a different picture of Jesus' birth, they both wrote with hindsight of Jesus' great works, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. (Anytime you are writing something with hindsight, we can colour the previous events to our liking. Moreso if the way we colour it helps lead up to the ending.) Matthew wanted to emphasize Jesus' greatness, so he includes the star that lead the 3 wise men to Jesus. Matthew also wrote for the Jewish populations. He wanted to emphasize that Jesus was the new Moses. In the OT, there is the slaughter of children at the time of the birth of Moses. So, Matthew has Herod order the deaths of the children 2 and under.
Luke was also trying to emphasize the greatness of Jesus even at his birth. So, Luke adds the beautiful story of the wise Simeon who pronounces Jesus' greatness: "Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people" ("Luke" 2:29-31). Also, with hindsight, Simeon makes a reference to the crucifixion: "Yea, a sword, shall pierce through thy own soul also" ("Luke" 2:35).
Father Brown's point is emphasized further when he points this out. Obviously, Matthew and Luke included passages on Jesus' birth. But while they made some changes, they had to some extent stay within the patterns of the earlier written Gospel According to Mark. (Mark did not include a birth chapter.) Well, obviously Mark presented Jesus' conflict with the Jewish authorities. Well, the Jewish authorities were fascinated by the 12 year old Christ in Luke's Gospel: "...all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" ("Luke" 2:47). So, if the religious authorities were so fascinated by Christ as a 12 year old, then why as an adult was he rejected to the point where he was crucified?
Don't get me wrong. This is a GREAT book as well as an important study. but it is my opinion that the content of it could be disturbing to some.
Rated by buyers -
I read this book in this time of Christmas, 2001-2002. The content was incredibly interesting and changed my mind about the narratives of Jesus infancy. The two initial chapters of Matthew and Luke now say different things than I understood just a month ago. Recommendable only for people with a very well cemented faith. Short and very interesting and clear reading. That is the reason why I am a father Brown's fan.
Rated by buyers -
This booklet contains an excellent summary of some of the important conclusions reached in Father Brown's comprehensive and scholarly work, "The Birth of the Messiah." Father Brown's concern in the booklet is the theological message of the evangelists--he views this as the most important aspect of the message, and something that can get lost amid modern searches to either prove or disprove each item of the stories as historical events.
As usual, the late great Father Brown did an excellent job. He explores the Old Testament roots of Mathew's and Luke's Birth Stories and analyzes broad and beautiful topics such as "the Meaning of the Magi" (the Good News is for all who will believe, including Gentiles) and the "Importance of the Shepherds" (they symbolize an Israel that comes to recognize and glorify its Lord Jesus, the Davidic Messiah foretold in the Jewish Scriptures).
Father Brown said he hopes the regognition that there is an adult Christ in the message of Christmas--i.e., that the theological meaning of God's gift of Jesus is included in these beautiful opening verses--will lead believers to proclaim that revelation to others, and that they will respond in faith. It was a wonderful thing to have this brilliant and intellectually honest scholar also put his faith on display.
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