Ingrid Stampa Books

The New York Times bestselling final volume in the Pope’s Jesus of Nazareth series, detailing how the stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago. In 2007, Joseph Ratzinger published his first book as Pope Benedict XVI in order “to make known the figure and message of Jesus.” Now, the Pope focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life as a child. The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmations of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary. This is a story of longing and seeking, as demonstrated by the Magi searching for the redemption offered by the birth of a new king. It is a story of sacrifice and trusting completely in the wisdom of God as seen in the faith of Simeon, the just and devout man of Jerusalem, when he is in the presence of the Christ child. Ultimately, Jesus’ life and message is a story for today, one that speaks to the restlessness of the human heart searching for the sole truth which alone leads to profound joy.

This book is an utterly brilliant example of Benedict XVI at his very best . As a Christian apologist and exegete he rightly holds the highest position in the Church but as a teacher and intellectual evangelist he also excels . His deep understanding, novel insights, and clear exposition, make his work easy and rewarding to read . Anyone wanting an introduction to his work should read this and savour it . Anyone wanting an introduction to Christian thought should buy it. His literary skills alone, which transcend translation, are very considerable and enjoyable in their own right . His forensic examination of historical and theological arguments, his breadth of reading, and his ability to bring new conclusions to light are a joy .