title: The Truth of Christmas: Beyond the Myths (Studies in Scripture)
author:  Ren&eacute; Laurentin 
description: "... a work of genius, opening up paths for which I have been waiting for thirty years." -- <i>Jean Guitton of the French Academy</i><br /><br />"...With this book, the Infancy Gospels are restored to us with a new life." -- <i>From the Preface by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission</i><br /><br />"The Holy Father encourages your works which are very aptly oriented to defend the treasures of the Church." -- <i>From Pope John Paul II</i>
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  ![001](../Images/faga_9780786727681_msr_cvi_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Table of Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Title Page](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_tp_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Dedication](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_ded_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Author’s Note](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_fm2_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Preface](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_prf_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Acknowledgements](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_ack_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [PART ONE - The Christmas Child](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_p01_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CHAPTER ONE - The Great
  Visitation](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_c01_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CHAPTER TWO - Guano Happens](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_c02_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CHAPTER THREE - ENSO](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_c03_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CHAPTER FOUR - The North Atlantic
  Oscillation](../Text/faga_9780786727681_oeb_c04_r1.html)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [PART TWO - Ancient El Niños](../Text/faga_9780786727681_