Gospel Overtures: The Message of the Christmas Stories in Matthew and Luke

by Noel Cooper

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2014

Overview

Christmas is a charming and memorable season for children, and it is perfectly reasonable for well-informed adults to enjoy cribs, candles, carols, decorated trees, presents, and family feasts. It is not possible, however, to be a well-informed adult believer without adding to the value of the Christmas celebration by searching for the deeper meaning of the gospels, a meaning that is beyond the comprehension of young children. Gospel Overtures offers a detailed analysis of the Christmas stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, as well as suggestions for personal reflection. Christianity is primarily a religion for adults, and the gospel narratives are intended to inspire adult faith. Gospel Overtures is intended to help readers appreciate the depth of the gospels and to grow as believers.

Praise for Gospel Overtures

”The incarnation is messy business! As Christians, we have sanitized the arrival of God in our midst. Gospel Overtures guides us into the story of Jesus’s birth, showing us the symbols and signposts that held resounding truths for early Christians. Retelling the nativity is a labor of love, and we have a responsibility to look deeper into its meaning. Let Gospel Overtures guide you into a new understanding--you won’t be disappointed!"
--Beverly O’Grady, Ontario, Canada

“In this book, Cooper not only explains the infancy stories in light of contemporary scriptural scholarship, he also gives us suggestions as to how we can see ourselves in these stories. Many authors tell us what the stories mean, but few invite us to see where God is acting in our lives by encouraging us to grow to fullness of life. Cooper asks and answers the question, ‘What meaning can these stories have for our lives?’"
--Wayne Debly, Ontario, Canada

Product Details

• Title : Gospel Overtures: The Message of the Christmas Stories in Matthew and Luke
• Author: Cooper, Noel
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2014
• ISBN: 9781630872472

About the Author

Noel Cooper is a Canadian Catholic religious educator who has written curriculum, taught courses for teachers, assisted teachers in classrooms, and been a guest speaker to groups of teachers and parents. He holds three postgraduate degrees in Theology and is the author of Language of the Heart (2003), an introductory book about Scripture, and What Makes Us Whole: Finding God in Contemporary Life (2009). www.noelcooper.ca