By Bart D. Ehrman (New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 2006, pgs.198)

Chapter Four:  Before The Discovery
This chapter explores what was previously known about the Gospel of Judas and the community that supported its writing and publication.  The Gnostics were the group or community that the gospel probably originated in.  Nearly all that was known about [...]

The Christmas story is found in Matthew (1:18-2:18) and in Luke (1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored:  
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Is. 7:14)  
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful [...]

By John Piper (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)

John Piper has some great comments about the Gospels and the ‘Quest’ of modern Biblical scholarship for the ‘real’ Jesus.  See the section in the intro of his newest book ("What Jesus Demands from the World") called: "A Word to Biblical Scholars" (pg.29-36).
He points out [...]