Mythology and Folklore UN-Textbook: Unit: Infancy Gospels

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Myth-Folklore Unit: Infancy Gospels

Overview. In this unit you will read the Biblical accounts of the birth and childhood of Jesus as told in the gospels of Luke and Matthew, and then you will read two of the most influential infancy gospels, The Protevangelion of James and The First Infancy Gospel (both found in Platt's The Lost Books of the Bible), which explore those events in great detail. The extra-Biblical texts build on existing Biblical details to create stories about the marriage of Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, and the many miracles that Jesus performed both as a baby and as a young boy. While these books did not form part of the Bible, they were widely known throughout the Middle Ages and provided the inspiration for many works of art, such as the medieval illustration below which shows the pagan idols toppling to the ground in abject terror at the arrival of the infant Jesus into Egypt.

Language. The first part of his unit consists of selected passages from the gospels of Luke and Matthew in the King James Bible but without too much trouble you could find the same passages in the Bible translation of your choice. The remainder of the unit consists of modern English translation of the ancient apocrypha, and the language used should not pose any particular problem.

Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on two pages total: Infancy Gospels. Click "Older Posts" at the bottom of that page to see the second page.

Notes. This unit does not have notes on every page yet, so please feel free to ask questions if something is not clear — and your questions will help me write better notes, too! You can ask your question by leaving a comment, just like at any other blog. You can also rate each page with the star ratings checkbox at the bottom of each post. Your feedback and questions are much appreciated!

Connecting Units. If you are interested in Biblical legends, I strongly recommend the Folklore of the Holy Land unit coming up in the Middle East module, which features Jewish, Christian and Islamic folklore, centered on the city of Jerusalem.

Read More. In this unit, you read only part of the Infancy gospel tradition. If you want to read more, especially about the legends of Mary's earlier life, you can find those books included in Platt's The Lost Books of the Bible online. For a quick glance at the table of contents, see the online book presented at Sacred Texts Archive.

Additional Resources. Be sure to look at the Wikipedia articles on the Protoevangelium of James and the general overview in the New Testament Apocrypha article.

READING A:

READING B:

(The Idol Falls)

Infancy: The Annunciation

In this portion from the Gospel of Luke, Mary goes to see Elisabeth, the wife of Zacharias, who is pregnant; her son will be John the Baptist. The sixth month referred to in the opening words of the story below is the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy.

You can read more about Elisabeth and Zacharias in the opening verses of Luke 1 which are not included here in the reading. There is also more information at Wikipedia about Elisabeth and Zacharias.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: King James Bible (1611): Luke 1.

The Annunciation

(St Mary's Church at Harvington)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"

And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible."

And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda, and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

(The Visitation, by Raphael)

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Next: The Nativity (Luke)

(Elizabeth and Mary, 12th-century painting)

(600 words)

Infancy: The Nativity

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: King James Bible (1611): Luke 2.

The Nativity

(12th-century Bible illustration)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Next: The Young Jesus (Luke)

(14th-century painting)

(400 words)

Infancy: The Young Jesus

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: King James Bible (1611): Luke 2.

The Young Jesus

(Presentation in the Temple, by Raphael)

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."

And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Next: The Wise Men (Matthew)

(Jesus in the Temple, by William Holman Hunt)

(700 words)

Infancy: The Wise Men

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: King James Bible (1611): Matthew 1-2.

The Wise Men

(The Magi, by James Tissot)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:

When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel."

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life."

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Next: Mary and Joseph

(The Flight into Egypt, by Giotto)

(800 words)

Infancy: Mary and Joseph

This page begins the stories taken from extra-Biblical sources; this page comes from the Protevangelion of James. The opening chapters of the Protevangelion are about Mary's birth and childhood; the story you will read below takes place when Mary is fourteen years old and the priest Zacharias receives a command to find her a husband.

In the selection below, I have omitted the portion about the veil of the Temple: the "purple" referred to here is Mary's work to weave the veil of the Temple. You can read that story about Mary in Chapter 9 of the Protevangelion of James.

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The Protevangelion of James.

Mary and Joseph

(Marriage of Mary and Joseph, by Perugino)

Behold the angel of the Lord came to him, and said, "Zacharias, Zacharias, go forth and call together all the widowers among the people, and let every one of them bring his rod, and he by whom the Lord shall shew a sign shall be the husband of Mary."

And the criers went out through all Judaea, and the trumpet of the Lord sounded, and all the people ran and met together. Joseph also, throwing away the hatchet, went out to meet them; and when they were met, they went to the high-priest, taking every man his rod.

After the high-priest had received their rods, he went into the temple to pray; and when he had finished his prayer, he took the rods, and went forth and distributed them, and there was no miracle attended them. The last rod was taken by Joseph, and behold a dove proceeded out of the rod, and flew upon the head of Joseph.

And the high-priest said, Joseph, "Thou art the person chosen to take the Virgin of the Lord, to keep her for him."

But Joseph refused, saying, "I am an old man, and have children, but she is young, and I fear lest I should appear ridiculous in Israel."

Then the high-priest replied, "Joseph, fear the Lord thy God, and remember how God dealt with Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how the earth opened and swallowed them up, because of their contradiction. Now therefore, Joseph, fear God, lest the like things should happen in your family."

Joseph then being afraid, took her unto his house, and Joseph said unto Mary, "Behold, I have taken thee from the temple of the Lord, and now I will leave thee in my house; I must go to mind my trade of building. he Lord be with thee."

[... Mary] took a pot and went out to draw water, and heard a voice saying unto her, "Hail thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee; thou art blessed among women."

And she looked round to the right and to the left (to see) whence that voice came, and then trembling went into her house, and laying down the water-pot she took the purple, and sat down in her seat to work it.

And behold the angel of the Lord stood by her, and said, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour in the sight of God."

Which when she heard, she reasoned with herself what that sort of salutation meant.

And the angel said unto her, "The Lord is with thee, and thou shalt conceive."

To which she replied, "What! Shall I conceive by the living God, and bring forth as all other women do?"

But the angel returned answer, "Not so, O Mary, but the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; wherefore that which shall be born of thee shall be holy, and shall be called the Son of the Living God, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age. And this now is the sixth month with her, who was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God."

And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word."

(Gabriel and Mary as she weaves)

And when she had wrought her purple, she carried it to the high-priest, and the high-priest blessed her, saying, "Mary, the Lord God hath magnified thy name, and thou shalt be blessed in all the ages of the world."

Then Mary, filled with joy, went away to her cousin Elizabeth, and knocked at the door. Which when Elizabeth heard, she ran and opened to her, and blessed her, and said, "Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? For lo! as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, that which is in me leaped and blessed thee."

But Mary, being ignorant of all those mysterious things which the archangel Gabriel had spoken to her, lifted up her eyes to heaven, and said, "Lord! What am I, that all the generations of the earth should call me blessed?"

But perceiving herself daily to grow big, and being afraid, she went home, and hid herself from the children of Israel; and was fourteen years old when all these things happened.

Next: The Virgin Grown Big (James)

(The Visitation, by Ghirlandaio)

(800 words)

Infancy: The Virgin Grown Big

As often in the apocryphal literature, characters who are mentioned in the Biblical text also appear in the apocryphal stories. So, in this story about the prosecution of Mary and Joseph, you see see Annas, who is mentioned in the Bible and who also figures prominently in the medieval tradition of the Passion Plays which dramatize the crucifixion of Jesus.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The Protevangelion of James.

The Virgin Grown Big

(Joseph's Dream, by Gaetano Gandoli)

AND when her sixth month was come, Joseph returned from his building houses abroad, which was his trade, and entering into the house, found the Virgin grown big: then smiting upon his face, he said, "With what face can I look up to the Lord my God? Or, what shall I say concerning this young woman? For I received her a Virgin out of the temple of the Lord my God, and have not preserved her such! Who has thus deceived me? Who has committed this evil in my house, and seducing the Virgin from me, hath defiled her? Is not the history of Adam exactly accomplished in me? For in the very instant of his glory, the serpent came and found Eve alone, and seduced her. Just after the same manner it has happened to me."

Then Joseph, arising from the ground, called her, and said, "O thou who hast been so much favoured by God, why hast thou done this? Why hast thou thus debased thy soul, who wast educated in the Holy of Holies, and received thy food from the hand of angels?"

But she, with a flood of tears, replied, "I am innocent, and have known no man."

Then said Joseph, "How comes it to pass you are with child?"

Mary answered, "As the Lord my God liveth, I know not by what means."

Then Joseph was exceedingly afraid, and went away from her, considering what he should do with her; and he thus reasoned with himself: "If I conceal her crime, I shall be found guilty by the law of the Lord; And if I discover her to the children of Israel, I fear, lest she being with child by an angel, I shall be found to betray the life of an innocent person: what therefore shall I do? I will privately dismiss her."

Then the night was come upon him, when behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, "Be not afraid to take that young woman, for that which is within her is of the Holy Ghost; and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."

Then Joseph arose from his sleep, and glorified the God of Israel, who had shown him such favour, and preserved the Virgin.

Then came Annas the scribe, and said to Joseph, "Wherefore have we not seen you since your return?"

And Joseph replied, "Because I was weary after my journey, and rested the first day."

But Annas turning about perceived the Virgin big with child and went away to the priest, and told him, "Joseph in whom you placed so much confidence, is guilty of a notorious crime, in that he hath defiled the Virgin whom he received out of the temple of the Lord, and hath privately married her, not discovering it to the children of Israel."

Then said the priest, "Hath Joseph done this?"

Annas replied, "If you send any of your servants, you will find that she is with child." And the servants went, and found it as he said.

Upon this both she and Joseph were brought to their trial, and the priest said unto her, "Mary, what hast thou done? Why hast thou debased thy soul, and forgot thy God, seeing thou wast brought up in the Holy of Holies, and didst receive thy food from the hands of angels, and heardest their songs? Why hast thou done this?"

To which with a flood of tears she answered, "As the Lord my God liveth, I am innocent in his sight, seeing I know no man."

Then the priest said to Joseph, "Why hast thou done this?"

And Joseph answered, "As the Lord my God liveth, I have not been concerned with her."

But the priest said, "Lie not, but declare the truth; thou hast privately married her, and not discovered it to the children of Israel, and humbled thyself under the mighty hand (of God), that thy seed might be blessed." And Joseph was silent.

Then said the priest (to Joseph), "You must restore to the temple of the Lord the Virgin which you took thence."

But he wept bitterly, and the priest added, "I will cause you both to drink the water of the Lord, which is for trial, and so your iniquity shall be laid open before you."

Then the priest took the water, and made Joseph drink, and sent him to a mountainous place. And he returned perfectly well, and all the people wondered that his guilt was not discovered.

So the priest said, "Since the Lord hath not made your sins evident, neither do I condemn you."

So he sent them away. Then Joseph took Mary, and went to his house, rejoicing and praising the God of Israel.

Next: The Birth of Jesus (James)

(Joseph the Carpenter)

(800 words)

Infancy: The Birth of Jesus

Just as you met the Biblical character of Annas in the previous selection, in this selection you will meet Salome, a disciple of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels. You can find out more at Wikipedia. Note that this is not the Salome, daughter of Herodias, who is involved in the notorious story of the beheading of John the Baptist.

This is the last reading selection in this unit from the Protevangelion of James, but the gospel contains two more chapters about the wise men and King Herod; you can read those chapters online if you are curious about that.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The Protevangelion of James.

The Birth of Jesus

(Nativity, by Andrei Rublev)

AND it came to pass, that there went forth a decree from the Emperor Augustus, that all the Jews should be taxed, who were of Bethlehem in Judæa: and Joseph said, "I will take care that my children be taxed: but what shall I do with this young woman? To have her taxed as my wife I am ashamed; and if I tax her as my daughter, all Israel knows she is not my daughter. When the time of the Lord's appointment shall come, let him do as seems good to him."

And he saddled the ass, and put her upon it, and Joseph and Simon followed after her, and arrived at Bethlehem within three miles. Then Joseph turning about saw Mary sorrowful, and said within himself, "Perhaps she is in pain through that which is within her."

But when he turned about again he saw her laughing, and said to her, "Mary, how happens it, that I sometimes see sorrow, and sometimes laughter and joy in thy countenance?"

And Mary replied to him, "I see two people with mine eyes, the one weeping and mourning, the other laughing and rejoicing."

And he went again across the way, and Mary said to Joseph, "Take me down from the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth."

But Joseph replied, "Whither shall I take thee? For the place is desert."

Then said Mary again to Joseph, "Take me down, for that which is within me mightily presses me."

And Joseph took her down. And he found there a cave, and let her into it.

And leaving her and his sons in the cave, Joseph went forth to seek a Hebrew midwife in the village of Bethlehem.

"But as I was going" (said Joseph) "I looked up into the air, and I saw the clouds astonished, and the fowls of the air stopping in the midst of their flight. And I looked down towards the earth, and saw a table spread, and working people sitting around it, but their hands were upon the table, and they did not move to eat. They who had meat in their mouths did not eat. They who lifted their hands up to their heads did not draw them back: and they who lifted them up to their mouths did not put anything in; but all their faces were fixed upwards. And I beheld the sheep dispersed, and yet the sheep stood still. And the shepherd lifted up his hand to smite them, and his hand continued up. And I looked unto a river, and saw the kids with their mouths close to the water, and touching it, but they did not drink. Then I beheld a woman coming down from the mountains, and she said to me, 'Where art thou going, O man?' And I said to her, 'I go to inquire for a Hebrew midwife.' She replied to me, 'Where is the woman that is to be delivered?' And I answered, 'In the cave, and she is betrothed to me.' Then said the midwife, 'Is she not thy wife?' Joseph answered, 'It is Mary, who was educated in the Holy of Holies, in the house of the Lord, and she fell to my lot, and is not my wife, but has conceived by the Holy Ghost.' The midwife said, 'Is this true?'"

He answered, "Come and see." And the midwife went along with him, and stood in the cave.

Then a bright cloud overshadowed the cave, and the midwife said, "This day my soul is magnified, for mine eyes have seen surprising things, and salvation is brought forth to Israel." But on a sudden the cloud became a great light in the cave, so that their eyes could not bear it. But the light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared, and sucked the breast of his mother Mary.

Then the midwife cried out, and said, "How glorious a day is this, wherein mine eyes have seen this extraordinary sight!"

And the midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her.

And the midwife said to her, "Salome, Salome, I will tell you a most surprising thing which I saw: a virgin hath brought forth, which is a thing contrary to nature."

To which Salome replied, "As the Lord my God liveth, unless I receive particular proof of this matter, I will not believe that a virgin hath brought forth."

Then Salome went in, and the midwife said, "Mary, shew thyself, for a great controversy is risen concerning thee." And Salome received satisfaction. But her hand was withered, and she groaned bitterly and said, "Woe to me, because of mine iniquity; for I have tempted the living God, and my hand is ready to drop off."

Then Salome made her supplication to the Lord, and said, "O God of my fathers, remember me, for I am of the seed of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. Make me not a reproach among the children of Israel, but restore me sound to my parents. For thou well knowest, O Lord, that I have performed many offices of charity in thy name, and have received my reward from thee."

Upon this an angel of the Lord stood by Salome, and said, "The Lord God hath heard thy prayer, reach forth thy hand to the child, and carry him, and by that means thou shalt be restored."

Salome, filled with exceeding joy, went to the child, and said, "I will touch him." And she purposed to worship him, for she said, "This is a great king which is born in Israel." And straightway Salome was cured.

Then the midwife went out of the cave, being approved by God. And lo! a voice came to Salome, "Declare not the strange things which thou hast seen, till the child shall come to Jerusalem." So Salome also departed, approved by God.

Next: The Nativity (Infancy Gospel)

(Salome, right, bathes the baby Jesus)

(1000 words)

Infancy: The Nativity

With this reading selection, you move on to the apocryphal text entitled The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ, and you will be reading that text in its entirety, which opens with the birth of Jesus. Unlike the Protevangelion of James, this gospel does not provide information about Mary's life before the birth of Jesus, but instead it begins with the birth of Jesus and carries all the way up to the time when he begins his ministry as an adult.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Nativity

(Nativity, by Duccio di Buoninsegna)

THE following accounts we found in the book of Joseph the high-priest, called by some Caiaphas He relates, that Jesus spake even when he was in the cradle, and said to his mother: "Mary, I am Jesus the Son of God, that word which thou didst bring forth according to the declaration of the angel Gabriel to thee, and my father hath sent me for the salvation of the world."

In the three hundred and ninth year of the era of Alexander, Augustus published a decree that all persons should go to be taxed in their own country. Joseph therefore arose, and with Mary his spouse he went to Jerusalem, and then came to Bethlehem, that he and his family might be taxed in the city of his fathers.

And when they came by the cave, Mary confessed to Joseph that her time of bringing forth was come, and she could not go on to the city, and said, "Let us go into this cave."

At that time the sun was very near going down. But Joseph hastened away, that he might fetch her a midwife; and when he saw an old Hebrew woman who was of Jerusalem, he said to her, "Pray come hither, good woman, and go into that cave, and you will there see a woman just ready to bring forth."

It was after sunset, when the old woman and Joseph with her reached the cave, and they both went into it. And behold, it was all filled with lights, greater than the light of lamps and candles, and greater than the light of the sun itself. The infant was then wrapped up in swaddling clothes, and sucking the breasts of his mother St. Mary.

When they both saw this light, they were surprised; the old woman asked St. Mary, "Art thou the mother of this child?" St. Mary replied, she was.

On which the old woman said, "Thou art very different from all other women."

St. Mary answered, "As there is not any child like to my son, so neither is there any woman like to his mother."

The old woman answered, and said, "O my Lady, I am come hither that I may obtain an everlasting reward."

Then our Lady, St. Mary, said to her, "Lay thine hands upon the infant."

Which, when she had done, she became whole. And as she was going forth, she said, "From henceforth, all the days of my life, I will attend upon and be a servant of this infant."

After this, when the shepherds came, and had made a fire, and they were exceedingly rejoicing, the heavenly host appeared to them, praising and adoring the supreme God. And as the shepherds were engaged in the same employment, the cave at that time seemed like a glorious temple, because both the tongues of angels and men united to adore and magnify God, on account of the birth of the Lord Christ.

But when the old Hebrew woman saw all these evident miracles, she gave praises to God, and said, "I thank thee, O God, thou God of Israel, for that mine eyes have seen the birth of the Saviour of the world."

Next: The Wise Men (Infancy Gospel)

(The Midwife Salome)

(500 words)

Infancy: The Wise Men

Extra-Biblical legends often include characters who are named in the Bible (as you have seen already with Salome, Annas, etc.), and the legends often include special objects that are found in the Biblical text, giving a "back story" for the object. So, for example, in this story, you will learn more about that alabaster box which will appear in the account of Jesus's life in the Biblical gospels; see Wikipedia for details about this alabaster box.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Wise Men

(The Circumcision, by Luca Signorelli)

AND when the time of his circumcision was come, namely, the eighth day, on which the law commanded the child to be circumcised, they circumcised him in the cave.

And the old Hebrew woman took the foreskin (others say she took the navel-string) and preserved it in an alabaster-box of old oil of spikenard. And she had a son who was a druggist, to whom she said, "Take heed thou sell not this alabaster box of spikenard-ointment, although thou shouldst be offered three hundred pence for it." Now this is that alabaster-box which Mary the sinner procured, and poured forth the ointment out of it upon the head and the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, and wiped it off with the I hairs of her head.

Then after ten days they brought him to Jerusalem, and on the fortieth day from his birth they presented him in the temple before the Lord, making the proper offerings for him, according to the requirement of the law of Moses: namely, that every male which opens the womb shall be called holy unto God.

At that time old Simeon saw him shining as a pillar of light when St. Mary the Virgin, his mother, carried him in her arms and was filled with the greatest pleasure at the sight. And the angels stood around him, adoring him, as a king's guards stand around him.

Then Simeon, going near to St. Mary and stretching forth his hands towards her, said to the Lord Christ, "Now, O my Lord, thy servant shall depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy mercy, which thou hast prepared for the salvation of all nations; a light to all people, and the glory of thy people Israel."

Hannah the prophetess was also present, and drawing near, she gave praises to God, and celebrated the happiness of Mary.

AND it came to pass, when the Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem, a city of Judaea, in the time of Herod the King; the wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, according to the prophecy of Zoradascht, and brought with them offerings: namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and worshipped him, and offered to him their gifts.

Then the Lady Mary took one of his swaddling clothes in which the infant was wrapped, and gave it to them instead of a blessing, which they received from her as a most noble present.

And at the same time there appeared to them an angel in the form of that star which had before been their guide in their journey; the light of which they followed till they returned into their own country.

On their return their kings and princes came to them inquiring, "What they had seen and done? What sort of journey and return they had? What company they had on the road?"

But they produced the swaddling cloth which St. Mary had given to them, on account whereof they kept a feast. And having, according to the custom of their country, made a fire, they worshipped it. And casting the swaddling cloth into it, the fire took it, and kept it. And when the fire was put out, they took forth the swaddling cloth unhurt, as much as if the fire had not touched it.

Then they began to kiss it, and put it upon their heads and their eyes, saying, "This is certainly an undoubted truth, and it is really surprising that the fire could not burn it, and consume it." Then they took it, and with the greatest respect laid it up among their treasures.

Next: The Idol (Infancy Gospel)

(3rd-century sculpture of the wise men)

(600 words)

Infancy: The Idol

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Idol

(Flight into Egypt; The Idol Toppled)

NOW Herod, perceiving that the wise men did delay, and not return to him, called together the priests and wise men and said, "Tell me in what place the Christ should be born?"

And when they replied, "In Bethlehem, a city of Judaea," he began to contrive in his own mind the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his sleep, and said, "Arise, take the child and his mother, and go into Egypt as soon as the cock crows."

So he arose, and went. And as he was considering with himself about his journey, the morning came upon him.

In the length of the journey the girts of the saddle broke.

And now he drew near to a great city, in which there was an idol, to which the other idols and gods of Egypt brought their offerings and vows. And there was by this idol a priest ministering to it, who, as often as Satan spoke out of that idol, related the things he said to the inhabitants of Egypt, and those countries.

This priest had a son three years old who was possessed with a great multitude of devils who uttered many strange things, and when the devils seized him, he walked about naked with his clothes torn, throwing stones at those whom he saw.

Near to that idol was the inn of the city, into which when Joseph and St. Mary were come and had turned into that inn, all the inhabitants of the city were astonished. And all the magistrates and priests of the idols assembled before that idol, and made inquiry there, saying, "What means all this consternation, and dread, which has fallen upon all our country?"

The idol answered them, "The unknown God is come hither, who is truly God; nor is there any one besides him, who is worthy of divine worship; for he is truly the Son of God. At the fame of him this country trembled, and at his coming it is under the present commotion and consternation; and we ourselves are affrighted by the greatness of his power."

And at the same instant this idol fell down, and at his fall all the inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran together.

But the son of the priest, when his usual disorder came upon him, going into the inn, found there Joseph and St. Mary, whom all the rest had left behind and forsook. And when the Lady St. Mary had washed the swaddling clothes of the Lord Christ and hanged them out to dry upon a post, the boy possessed with the devil took down one of them and put it upon his head. And presently the devils began to come out of his mouth and fly away in the shape of crows and serpents.

From that time the boy was healed by the power of the Lord Christ, and he began to sing praises, and give thanks to the Lord who had healed him.

When his father saw him restored to his former state of health, he said, "My son, what has happened to thee, and by what means wert thou cured?"

The son answered, "When the devils seized me, I went into the inn, and there found a very handsome woman with a boy, whose swaddling clothes she had just before washed and hanged out upon a post. One of these I took and put it upon my head, and immediately the devils left me and fled away."

At this the father exceedingly rejoiced and said, "My son, perhaps this boy is the son of the living God, who made the heavens and the earth. For as soon as he came amongst us, the idol was broken, and all the gods fell down, and were destroyed by a greater power."

Then was fulfilled the prophecy which saith, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

Next: Miracles Along the Way (Infancy Gospel)

(The Idol Falls)

(700 words)

Infancy: Miracles Along the Way

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Robbers and the Bride

(The Flight into Egypt, by Edwin Long)

Joseph and Mary, when they heard that the idol was fallen down and destroyed, were seized with fear and trembling and said, "When we were in the land of Israel, Herod, intending to kill Jesus, slew for that purpose all the infants at Bethlehem, and that neighbourhood. And there is no doubt but the Egyptians if they come to hear that this idol is broken and fallen down, will burn us with fire."

They went therefore hence to the secret places of robbers, who robbed travellers as they pass by, of their carriages and their clothes, and carried them away bound. These thieves upon their coming heard a great noise such as the noise of a king with a great army and many horses and the trumpets sounding at his overture from his own city, at which they were so affrighted as to leave all their booty behind them and fly away in haste.

Upon this the prisoners arose and loosed each other's bonds and, taking each man his bags, they went away, and saw Joseph and Mary coming towards them, and inquired, "Where is that king, the noise of whose approach the robbers heard, and left us, so that we are now come off safe?"

Joseph answered, "He will come after us."

THEN they went into another where there was a woman possessed with a devil, and in whom Satan, that cursed rebel, had taken up his abode. One night, when she went to fetch water, she could neither endure her clothes on nor to be in any house, but as often as they tied her with chains or cords, she brake them and went out into desert places and, sometimes standing where roads crossed and in churchyards, would throw stones at men.

When St. Mary saw this woman, she pitied her; whereupon Satan presently left her, and fled away in the form of a young man, saying, "Woe to me, because of thee, Mary, and thy son."

So the woman was delivered from her torment, but considering herself naked, she blushed and avoided seeing any man and, having put on her clothes, went home and gave an account of her case to her father and relations, who, as they were the best of the city, entertained St. Mary and Joseph with the greatest respect.

The next morning, having received a sufficient supply of provisions for the road, they went from them, and about the evening of the day arrived at another town where a marriage was then about to be solemnized, but by the arts of Satan and the practices of some sorcerers, the bride was become so dumb that she could not so much as open her mouth.

But when this dumb bride saw the Lady St. Mary entering into the town and carrying the Lord Christ in her arms, she stretched out her hands to the Lord Christ and took him in her arms and, closely hugging him, very often kissed him, continually moving him and pressing him to her body.

Straightway the string of her tongue was loosed, and her ears were opened, and she began to sing praises unto God, who had restored her. So there was great joy among the inhabitants of the town that night, who thought that God and his angels were come down among them.

Next: Curing the Leprosy (Infancy Gospel)

(600 words)

Infancy: Curing the Leprosy

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

Curing the Leprosy

(Madonna and Child, by Deodato Orlandi)

In this place they abode three days, meeting with the greatest respect and most splendid entertainment. And being then furnished by the people with provisions for the road, they departed and went to another city, in which they were inclined to lodge because it was a famous place.

There was in this city a gentlewoman who, as she went down one day to the river to bathe, behold: cursed Satan leaped upon her in the form of a serpent, and folded himself about her belly, and every night lay upon her.

This woman seeing the Lady St. Mary, and the Lord Christ the infant in her bosom, asked the Lady St. Mary that she would give her the child to kiss and carry in her arms. When she had consented, and as soon as the woman had moved the child, Satan left her and fled away, nor did the woman ever afterwards see him. Hereupon all the neighbours praised the Supreme God, and the woman rewarded them with ample beneficence.

On the morrow the same woman brought perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus, and when she had washed him, she preserved the water.

And there was a girl there, whose body was white with a leprosy, who, being sprinkled with this water and washed, was instantly cleansed from her leprosy.

The people therefore said, "Without doubt Joseph and Mary and that boy are Gods, for they do not look like mortals."

And when they were making ready to go away, the girl, who had been troubled with the leprosy, came and desired they would permit her to go along with them; so they consented, and the girl went with them till they came to a city, in which was the palace of a great king, and whose house was not far from the inn.

Here they staid and, when the girl went one day to the prince's wife and found her in a sorrowful and mournful condition, she asked her the reason of her tears.

She replied, "Wonder not at my groans, for I am under a great misfortune, of which I dare not tell any one."

"But," says the girl, "if you will entrust me with your private grievance, perhaps I may find you a remedy for it."

"Thou, therefore," says the prince's wife, "shalt keep the secret, and not discover it to any one alive! I have been married to this prince, who rules as king over large dominions, and lived long with him before he had any child by me. At length I conceived by him, but alas! I brought forth a leprous son which, when he saw, he would not own to be his, but said to me, 'Either do thou kill him, or send him to some nurse in such a place that he may be never heard of, and now take care of yourself; I will never see you more.' So here I pine, lamenting my wretched and miserable circumstances. Alas, my son! Alas, my husband! Have I disclosed it to you?"

The girl replied, "I have found a remedy for your disease, which I promise you, for I also was leprous, but God hath cleansed me, even he who is called Jesus, the son of the Lady Mary."

The woman inquiring where that God was whom she spake of, the girl answered "He lodges with you here in the same house."

"But how can this be?" says she; "where is he?"

"Behold, "replied the girl, "Joseph and Mary, and the infant who is with them is called Jesus: and it is he who delivered me from my disease and torment."

"But by what means," says she, "were you cleansed from your leprosy? Will you not tell me that?"

"Why not?" says the girl; "I took the water with which his body had been washed and poured it upon me, and my leprosy vanished."

The prince's wife then arose and entertained them, providing a great feast for Joseph among a large company of men. And the next day took perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus, and afterwards poured the same water upon her son, whom she had brought with her, and her son was instantly cleansed from his leprosy.

Then she sang thanks and praises unto God, and said, "Blessed is the mother that bare thee, O Jesus! Dost thou thus cure men of the same nature with thyself with the water with which thy body is washed?"

She then offered very large gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent her away with all imaginable respect.

Next: The Mule (Infancy Gospel)

(800 words)

Infancy: The Mule

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Mule

THEY came afterwards to another city and had a mind to lodge there. Accordingly they went to a man's house, who was newly married, but by the influence of sorcerers could not enjoy his wife: but they lodging at his house that night, the man was freed of his disorder: and when they were preparing early in the morning to go forward on their journey, the new married person hindered them and provided a noble entertainment for them.

But going forward on the morrow, they came to another city and saw three women going from a certain grave with great weeping. When St. Mary saw them, she spake to the girl who was their companion, saying, "Go and inquire of them: what is the matter with them, and what misfortune has befallen them?"

When the girl asked them, they made her no answer but asked her again, "Who are ye, and where are ye going? For the day is far spent, and the night is at hand."

"We are travellers," saith the girl, "and are seeking for an inn to lodge at."

They replied, "Go along with us, and lodge with us."

They then followed them and were introduced into a new house, well furnished with all sorts of furniture. It was now winter-time, and the girl went into the parlour where these women were,and found them weeping and lamenting, as before.

By them stood a mule, covered over with silk, and an ebony collar hanging down from his neck, whom they kissed, and were feeding.

But when the girl said, "How handsome, ladies, that mule is!" they replied with tears, and said, "This mule, which you see, was our brother, born of this same mother as we: for when our father died, and left us a very large estate, and we had only this brother, and we endeavoured to procure him a suitable match and thought he should be married as other men, some giddy and jealous woman bewitched him without our knowledge. And we, one night, a little before day, while the doors of the house were all fast shut, saw this our brother was changed into a mule, such as you now see him to be: and we, in the melancholy condition in which you see us, having no father to comfort us, have applied to all the wise men, magicians, and diviners in the world, but they have been of no service to us. As often therefore as we find ourselves oppressed with grief, we rise and go with this our mother to our father's tomb, where, when we have cried sufficiently we return home."

When the girl had heard this, she said, "Take courage and cease your fears, for you have a remedy for your afflictions near at hand, even among you and in the midst of your house, For I was also leprous, but when I saw this woman, and this little infant with her, whose name is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with the water with which his mother had washed him, and I was presently made well. And I am certain that he is also capable of relieving you under your distress. Wherefore, arise, go to my mistress, Mary, and when you have brought her into your own parlour, disclose to her the secret, at the same time, earnestly beseeching her to compassionate your case."

As soon as the women had heard the girl's discourse, they hastened away to the Lady St. Mary, introduced themselves to her, and sitting down before her, they wept and said, "O our Lady St. Mary, pity your handmaids, for we have no head of our family, no one older than us, no father, or brother to go in and out before us. But this mule, which you see, was our brother, which some woman by witchcraft have brought into this condition which you see: we therefore entreat you to compassionate us."

(mule)

Hereupon St. Mary was grieved at their case and, taking the Lord Jesus, put him upon the back of the mule and said to her son, "O Jesus Christ, restore (or heal) according to thy extraordinary power this mule, and grant him to have again the shape of a man and a rational creature, as he had formerly."

This was scarce said by the Lady St. Mary, but the mule immediately passed into a human form, and became a young man without any deformity. Then he and his mother and the sisters worshipped the Lady St. Mary and, lifting the child upon their heads, they kissed him, and said, "Blessed is thy mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of the world! Blessed are the eyes which are so happy as to see thee."

Then both the sisters told their mother, saying, "Of a truth our brother is restored to his former shape by the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the kindness of that girl, who told us of Mary and her son. And inasmuch as our brother is unmarried, it is fit that we marry him to this girl their servant."

When they had consulted Mary in this matter, and she had given her consent, they made a splendid wedding for this girl. And so their sorrow being turned into gladness, and their mourning into mirth, they began to rejoice. and to make merry, and sing, being dressed in their richest attire, with bracelets.

Afterwards they glorified and praised God, saying, "O Jesus, son of David who changest sorrow into gladness and mourning into mirth!"

After this Joseph and Mary tarried there ten days, then went away, having received great respect from those people, who, when they took their leave of them, and returned home, cried, but especially the girl.

Next: The Two Robbers (Infancy Gospel)

(1000 words)

Infancy: The Two Robbers

In this selection, you will get another important back story that connects these events to the later events recounted in the Biblical gospels: while on their journey, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph here encounter the two thieves who will later be crucified to either side of Jesus. You can read more about the legends of these two thieves at Wikipedia. Just as in the Biblical text, this story distinguishes between the one thief who is kind-hearted and the other thief who is not.

[Notes by LKG]

This story is part of the Infancy Gospels unit. Story source: The Lost Books of the Bible, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926): The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

The Two Robbers

IN their journey from hence they came into a desert country and were told it was infested with robbers, so Joseph and St. Mary prepared to pass through it in the night. And as they were going along, behold they saw two robbers asleep in the road, and with them a great number of robbers, who were their confederates, also asleep.

The names of these two were Titus and Dumachus; and Titus said to Dumachus, "I beseech thee let those persons go along quietly that our company may not perceive anything of them." But Dumachus refusing, Titus again said, "I will give thee forty groats, and as a pledge take my girdle," which he gave him he had done speaking that he might not open his mouth, or make a noise.

When the Lady St. Mary saw the kindness which this robber did shew them, she said to him, "The Lord God will receive thee to his right hand, and grant thee pardon of thy sins."

Then the Lord Jesus answered and said to his mother, "When thirty years are expired, O mother, the Jews will crucify me at Jerusalem, and these two thieves shall be with me at the same time upon the cross, Titus on my right hand, and Dumachus on my left, and from that time Titus shall go before me into paradise."

(Stations of the Cross, the Cloisters, New York City)

And when she had said, "God forbid this should be thy lot, O my son," they went on to a city in which were several idols, which, as soon as they came near to it, was turned into hills of sand.

Hence they went to that sycamore tree, which is now called Matarea, and in Matarea the Lord Jesus caused a well to spring forth in which St. Mary washed his coat, and a balsam is produced, or grows, in that country from the sweat which ran down there from the Lord Jesus.

Thence they proceeded to Memphis, and saw Pharaoh, and abode three years in Egypt. And the Lord Jesus did very many miracles in Egypt, which are neither to be found in the Gospel of the Infancy nor in the Gospel of Perfection.

At the end of three years he returned out of Egypt, and when he came near to Judaea, Joseph was afraid to enter, for hearing that Herod was dead and that Archelaus his son reigned in his stead, he was afraid; and when he went to Judaea, an angel of God appeared to him, and said, "O Joseph, go into the city Nazareth, and abide there."

It is strange indeed that he, who is the Lord of all countries, should be thus carried backward and forward through so many countries.

Next: The Rival Women (Infancy Gospel)

(500 words)

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