The first chapter of Matthew's Gospel and thee first chapter of Luke's Gospel contain the annunciation of Jesus' forth coming birth. Traditionally they are read during Advent as way preparing for Christmas. Here father Brown reflects not only on those annunciations but also on the beautiful canticles or hymns, the Magnificat and the Benedictus, which we hear in Luke on the lips of Mary and the father of John and the Baptist. He meditates too on the list of Jesus' ancestors which in Matthew constitute the very first words of the New Testament and which are presented as The origin of Jesus Christ. Advent is the season when we await the one who is to come. These gospel stories in identifying clearly for us this expected one as Son of David and Son of God relive poetically the expectations of Israel from the Old Testament inviting God's Christian people to do the same.