This new book is now available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle e-book format.
Matthew's story of the birth and early life of Jesus often is overshadowed by Luke's account that is filled with angels, a heavenly choir, shepherds and bleating sheep. But Matthew's account of the birth and early life of Jesus makes its own contribution to our understanding of the biblical story of Jesus's birth. In this series of studies readers are invited to reflect upon Matthew's story of Jesus's birth. In the process we learn about the surprising ancestors who show up in Jesus's genealogy, the violence-producing fear of King Herod, the receptivity of the wise men, and the refugee status of the holy family in Egypt. In addition, these studies take the reader beyond the birth of Jesus to examine Matthew's account of the preaching of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus, and his testing by the devil. In this way readers are introduced to Matthew's full account of the life and ministry of Jesus.