What do we know about Jesus’ childhood? Surprisingly little: the Gospels say hardly anything about it. This is precisely where the mysterious apocryphal infancy gospels come in. This book explores fascinating stories—some miraculous, some controversial—that sought to fill in the gaps in Jesus’ biography, from early miracles to legendary episodes. It explains how these writings came about, why they were not included in the Bible, and why the Church Fathers even warned against them. At the same time, it reveals how strongly they nevertheless shaped our traditions—from the ox and the donkey to the names of the Three Wise Men. A fascinating look at forgotten sources and their surprising influence on faith, art, and Christmas culture.