CHAPTERS 1 - 10 The Annunciation 1.1. In these last years a Virgin called Mary, of the lineage of David, of the tribe of Judah, was visited by the angel Gabriel from God. This Virgin, living in all holiness without any offence, being blameless, and abiding in prayer with fastings, being one day alone, the angel Gabriel entered into her chamber, and he saluted her, saying: "God be with you, O Mary". 2. The Virgin was frightened at the appearance of the angel; but the angel comforted her, saying: "Fear not, Mary, for you have found favour with God, Who has chosen you to be mother of a prophet, whom He will send to the people of Israel in order that they may walk in his laws with truth of heart." The Virgin answered: "How shall I bring forth sons, seeing I do not know a man?" The angel answered: "O Mary, God who made man without a man is able to generate in you man without a man, because with him nothing is impossible." 3. Mary answered: "I know that God is almighty, therefore his will be done." The angel answered: "Now be conceived in you the prophet, whom you shall name Jesus: and you shall keep him from wine and from strong drink and from every unclean meat, because the child is a holy one of God." Mary bowed herself with humility, saying: "Behold the handmaid of God, let it be done according to your word." 4. The angel departed, and the Virgin glorified God, saying: "Know, O my soul, the greatness of God, and exult, my spirit, in God my Saviour; for he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, such that I shall be called blessed by all the nations, for he that is mighty has made me great, and blessed be his holy name. For his mercy extends from generation to generation of them that fear him. Mighty has he made his hand, and he has scattered the proud in the imagination of his heart. He has put down the mighty from their seat, and has exalted the humble. He filled with good things him who has been hungry, and he has sent the rich empty away. For he keeps in memory the promises made to Abraham and to his son for ever." The Warning to Joseph 2. 1. Mary having known the will of God, fearing the people, unless they should take offence at her being great with child and stone her as guilty of fornication, chose a companion of her own lineage, a man by name called Joseph, of blameless life: for as a righteous man he feared God and served him with fastings and prayers, living by the works of his hands, for he was a carpenter. Knowing such a man, the Virgin chose him for her companion and revealed to him the divine counsel [she had received]. 2. Joseph being a righteous man, when he perceived that Mary was great with child, considered putting her away because he feared God. [But] behold, while he slept, he was rebuked by the angel of God, saying: "O Joseph, why are you thinking of putting away your wife Mary? Know that whatever has been wrought in her has all been done by the will of God. The Virgin shall bring forth a son, whom you shall call by the name Jesus, and you shall keep him from wine and strong drink and from every unclean meat, because he is a holy one of God from his mother's womb. 3.He is a prophet of God sent to the people of Israel, in order that he may convert Judah to his heart, and that Israel may walk in the Law of the Lord, as it is written in the Law of Moses. He shall come with great power, which God shall give him, and shall work great miracles, whereby many shall be saved." Joseph, arising from sleep, gave thanks to God, and abode with Mary all his life, serving God with all sincerity. The Nativity 3. 1. There reigned at that time in Judea Herod, by decree of Caesar Augustus, and Pilate was governor in the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. [In that time], by decree of Augustus, all the world was enrolled [in a census]; wherefore each one went to his own country, and they presented themselves by their own tribes to be enrolled. Joseph accordingly departed from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, with his wife Mary, great with child, to go to Bethlehem (for that it was his city, he being of the lineage of David), so that he might be enrolled according to the decree of Caesar. 2. Arriving at Bethlehem Joseph found no place [to stay] for the city was small and the multitude of those that were strangers there was great. Therefore he took lodging outside the city in a lodging made for a shepherds' shelter. While Joseph abode there the days were fulfilled for Mary to bring forth [the child]. 3. The Virgin was surrounded by an exceedingly bright light, and brought forth her son without pain, whom she took in her arms, and wrapping him in swaddling-clothes laid him in the manger, because there was no room in the inn. A great multitude of angels came to the Inn with gladness and announcing peace to them that fear God. Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for the birth of Jesus, and with greatest joy nurtured him. The Angels Appear to the Shepherds 4. 1. At that time the shepherds were watching over their flock, as is their custom. And, behold, they were surrounded by an exceedingly bright light, out of which appeared to them an angel, who blessed God. The shepherds were filled with fear because of the sudden light and the appearance of the angel, whereupon the angel of the Lord comforted them, saying: "Behold, I announce to you a great joy, for there is born in the city of David a child who is a prophet of the Lord, who brings great salvation to the House of Israel. The child you shall find in the manger, with his mother, who blesses God." And when he had said this there came a great multitude of angels blessing God, announcing peace to them that have good will. 2. When the angels were departed, the shepherds spoke among themselves, saying: "Let us go even to Bethlehem, and see the word which God by his angel has announced to us. There came many shepherds to Bethlehem seeking the new-born babe, and they found outside the city the child that was born, according to the word of the angel, lying in the manger. They therefore made obeisance to him, and gave to the mother that which they had, announcing to her what they had heard and seen. 3. Mary therefore kept all these things in her heart, and Joseph [likewise], giving thanks to God. The shepherds returned to their flock, announcing to everyone how great a thing they had seen. And so the whole hill-country of Judea was filled with fear, and every man laid up this word in his heart, saying: "What shall this child be?" The Circumcision of Jesus 5. 1. When the eight days were fulfilled according to the Law of the Lord, as it is written in the Book of Moses, they took the child and carried him to the Temple to circumcise him. And so they circumcised the child, and gave him the name Jesus, as the angel of the Lord had said before he was conceived in the womb. Mary and Joseph perceived that the child must be for the salvation and [for the] ruin of many, so they feared God, and kept the child with fear of God. The Three Magi 6. 1. In the reign of Herod, king of Judea, when Jesus was born, three magi in the parts of the east were observing the stars of heaven. There appeared to them a star of great brightness, so, having concluded among themselves, they came to Judea, guided by the star which went before them, and having arrived at Jerusalem they asked where the King of the Jews [had been] born. When Herod heard this he was afraid, and all the city was troubled. Herod therefore called together the priests and the scribes, saying: "Where should Christ be born?" They answered that he should be born in Bethlehem; for thus it is written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, are not little among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a leader, who shall lead my people Israel. 2. Herod accordingly called together the magi and asked them concerning their coming: who answered that they had seen a star in the east, which had guided them, wherefore they wished to worship this new King manifested by his star with gifts. Then said Herod: "Go to Bethlehem and search out with all diligence concerning the child; and when you have found him, come and tell it to me, because I also am willing to come and worship him." And this he spoke deceitfully. 7. 1. The magi therefore departed out of Jerusalem, and lo, the star which appeared to them in the east went before them. Seeing the star the magi were filled with gladness. And so having come to Bethlehem, outside the city, they saw the star standing still above the inn where Jesus was born. The magi went there and, entering the dwelling, found the child with his mother. Bending down they did obeisance to him. And [they] presented spices, with silver and gold to him, recounting to the Virgin all that they had seen. 2. Then, while sleeping, they were warned by the child not to go to Herod: so departing by another way they returned to their own home, announcing all that they had seen in Judea. The Flight into Egypt & the Massacre of the Innocents 8. 1. Herod, seeing that the magi did not return, believed himself mocked by them; so he determined to put to death the child that was born. But behold while Joseph was sleeping there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, saying: "Arise up quickly, and take the child with his mother and go into Egypt, for Herod wants to slay him." 2. Joseph arose with great fear, and took Mary with the child, and they went into Egypt, and there they abode until the death of Herod: who, believing himself derided by the magi, sent his soldiers to slay all the new-born children in Bethlehem. The soldiers came and slew all the children that were there, as Herod had commanded them, and so were fulfilled the words of the prophet, saying: Lamentation and great weeping are there in Ramah; Rachel laments for her sons, but consolation is not given [to] her because they are not." Disputation with the Doctors 9. 1. When Herod was dead, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: "Return into Judea, for those that willed the death of the child are dead." So Joseph took the child with Mary ([Jesus] having come to the age of seven years), and came to Judea. But hearing that Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judea, he feared remaining [there and so] he went into Galilee, and they went to dwell at Nazareth. The child grew in grace and wisdom before God and before men. 2. Jesus, having come to the age of twelve years, went up to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph, to worship there according to the Law of the Lord written in the Book of Moses. When their prayers were ended they departed, having lost Jesus, because they thought that he [had] returned home with their kinsfolk. Therefore, Mary returned with Joseph to Jerusalem, seeking Jesus among kinsfolk and neighbours. The third day they found the child in the Temple in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them concerning the Law. Every one was amazed at his questions and answers, saying: "How can there be such doctrine in him, seeing he is so small and has not learned to read?" 3. Mary reproved him, saying: "Son, what have you done to us? Your father and I have sought you for three days." Jesus answered: "Do you not know that the service of God ought to come before father and mother?" Jesus then went down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth, and was subject to them with humility and reverence. NEXT Back to Main Page