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Pope's new book challenges Christmas traditions

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    Father Robert Barron on how the holiday has developed over the centuries

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How much do we really know of the Christmas story and what part is condition but part of it is tradition or what -- is just fact or fiction are met.

-- Benedict the sixteenths third book on Jesus explores the birth story to look at its historical foundations.

The book is called the Jesus of Nazareth the infancy -- And here to talk about the book is father Robert Barron in Chicago and he is president of monoline seminary and founder of -- on fire.

Welcome father.

Thank you good to be with you is it is that you know a lot of times most times we have we talk talk about a book.

We have the author on but of course we're not we're to have Pope Benedict on to talk about his book he doesn't do interviews.

But right the publisher has designated you as the official spokesperson for his book.

And why is that for small.

Well I thought -- best -- period -- -- answer I've done a number of books on catholicism and I've been involved with.

The church -- in Rome for a number of years but but we'll -- to -- the publisher to find out the exact details.

So this is a third of the books on Jesus of Nazareth this is that -- narratives that that some of the nativity.

Why was important for him to write this one.

I think he saw this as a sort of introduction to the -- two books which are much more substantial.

Fulton lane that in their theological depth this book -- -- kind of more lyrical I would say introduction to the other two.

Also it's -- -- great importance to all Christians the birth of Jesus the gospel writers themselves were fascinated by it I think all Christians still are.

But he saw this book is that -- the preparation for the other two.

The interesting thing about this book is that it really delves into the sort -- -- -- The -- of Jesus and one of the things of people don't realize about Pope Benedict is that he's really of that incredible theologians is that a pretty honest theologians -- right now.

And he's taught -- you know you know the that -- the birth narratives which are only into the gospels Matthew in Duluth.

There's very much just been pointed out and media about how that gospels don't bring out -- don't mention that -- animals at the nativity scene at the -- that they.

Don't say that -- -- angels singing there.

Why it.

Is there that focus and when I read the book I didn't really yet that he was the -- -- he was just mentally pointing out of the gospels mention them.

The other main thing I think the Pope wants to emphasize the histories of the of these accounts we're not dealing here with.

Myths or legends.

Think we have on Star Wars is a good example the contemporary man.

A long long time ago when a galaxy far far away I bet George -- his version of once upon a time and -- myths exist and that kind of timeless.

Space they're meant to speak very.

-- -- -- -- -- -- But the gospels are myths.

So look for example says well quite -- -- was governor Syria.

Well season -- gusts as was emperor of Rome.

That's precisely when Jesus was born it's like saying when you know Pat Quinn was governor of Illinois and Barack Obama president states.

He's he's situated in a very specific historical place so that's meant to distinguish this story from -- Now having said that they are feel logically elaborated histories I would say.

They bring out certain features in certain symbolic dimensions.

So that they can signal more fully who Jesus is for the -- I think is very Anderson saying these are not myths but historical account.

What are the other things that it is.

Sort of a news -- to come out of this is the date of of jesus' birth yet there was a monk who sort of was calculated.

And so we got the dates wrong in a sense.

Is that right.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- There's a month call die nieces -- -- -- just means Dennis the little.

Back in the sixth century and he did these calculations that were a little bit off kilter.

So in fact you know king Herod died in what we now know as for BC so -- it is still around when Jesus born.

-- he was born they say between six and four BC.

So the -- was just trading error and have a common -- I -- Catholic grade school when I was ten years old.

Right so he's just putting in place that -- think that that in -- everything has been out there but he's just bringing -- -- -- a loving isn't living kind of written about yeah I want I think you so much the book is called.

Jesus of Nazareth the infancy narrative that's actually a fascinating book I found some very wonderful night -- information.

If you're not a theologian or -- -- -- -- more about the the of the nativity and sort of the inside baseball of christianity and catholicism as a really great book to read Pope Benedict is very good it actually laying out his arguments very well and he's a very accessible author.

I thank you very much father.

My pleasure thanks.

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