Please join this Advent study for the book The Apocryphal Gospels: A Very Short Introduction, the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth, childhood, and first public acts, and the apocryphal works—the Infancy Gospel of Thomas and the Proto Gospel of James. It starts with an introduction session outlining the plan for readings and discussion over the four Weeks.

This Advent study investigates the variety of origin stories contained within the well-known birth narratives at the beginning of Matthew and Luke, interprets the beginnings of the gospels of Mark and John, and discovers the appeal of the lesser-known Proto-Gospel of James and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Each writing defines Jesus’ Christology and exposes the values of the communities that collected and preserved these stories.

Through the re-reading of the four familiar gospels and these two non-canonical gospels, we contemplate the profound meaning of Jesus’ birth anew.

Less familiar are those ancient stories about Jesus that were not included in the canon. Despite being sidelined in the 4th century CE by the Church Fathers who began to approve and reject writings on their way to setting the canon, many of the non-canonical stories about Jesus were circulated widely. Two such writings—the Proto-Gospel of James and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas evidence the on-going fascination with Jesus’ origin and his development into adulthood.

This Advent study investigates the variety of origin stories contained within the well-known birth narratives at the beginning of Matthew and Luke, interprets the beginnings of the gospels of Mark and Luke, and discovers the appeal of the less-known Proto-Gospel of James and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Each writing defines Jesus’ Christology and exposes the values of the communities that collected and preserved these stories.

Introduction Session – View video

Advent Week 1: – Video pending
“The Stories Less Told: How the Non-Canonical Writings Fill in the Gaps about Jesus’ Childhood”—The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Advent Week 2: – View video
“The Stories Less Told: How the Non-Canonical Writings Fill in the Gaps about Mary”—The Proto-Gospel of James

Advent Week 3: — View video
“In the Beginning”: How the Canonical Writers Each Began Jesus’ Story Differently—Paying Attention to Mark and Matthew

Advent Week 4: – View video
“In the Beginning”: How the Canonical Writers Each Began Jesus’ Story Differently—Paying Attention to Luke and John

Jesus’ Birth and Childhood Stories Advent Study Guide

Order the Advent Study Guide using the online order form, or you can call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 331 or send an email.