Fr. Raymond E. Brown, D.D., (1928-1998) was the Auburn Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Author of some twenty-five books on the Bible and past president of three of the most important biblical societies in the world, by appointment of two popes (Paul VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1996) he was a member of the Roman Pontifical Biblical Commission. Time magazine has called him "probably the premier Catholic Scripture scholar in the U.S."

• ContentsForeword   5Chapter 1  The Origin and Purpose of the Infancy Narratives   7Chapter 2  The Genealogy of Jesus Christ  (Matthew 1:1-17)   16Chapter 3  The Annunciation to Joseph  (Matthew 1:18-25)   27Chapter 4  The Annunciation to Zechariah and the Birth of the Baptist  (Luke 1:5-25, 57-66, 80)   40Chapter 5  The Benedictus  (Luke 1:67-79)   49Chapter 6  The Annunciation to Mary, the Visitation, and the Magnificat  (Luke 1:26-56)   60