ABSTRACT
In the New Testament, apart from the four gospels, there is very little interest shown in the life of Jesus, excluding his death and resurrection. Any discussion with a group of teachers about work with young children on the life of Jesus shows that it is a controversial area. There is the clear problem for many teachers that the historical events of the life of Jesus are inseparable from a religious interpretation of them: that Jesus is the Son of God is assumed in the New Testament accounts. Matthew and Luke start the story much earlier with the birth of Jesus because they clearly feel this to be significant in their presentation of Jesus. An unusual feature in the teaching of Jesus, however, is a definite attempt to cast a veil of secrecy over the miracles. Perhaps the commonest approach to the life of Jesus is through work on the two festivals of Christmas and Easter.
