Protoevangelium of James

Protoevangelium of James

There was a righteous couple in Israel:

Joachim and Anna.

They had no child, and their hearts were heavy.

Joachim went into the wilderness to fast and pray.

Anna remained in her house, clothed in mourning.

She cried:

“Why was I born, O Lord?

Even the birds have nests,

the beasts have offspring —

but I am barren.”

Then an angel appeared to her and said:

“Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer.

You shall conceive, and your child will be holy.”

She rejoiced and vowed:

“If I bear a child,

I will dedicate her to the Lord

all the days of her life.”

Anna conceived.

And in due time, she gave birth to a daughter,

and called her Mary.

At six months, she stood upright.

At one year, she walked.

At three years, she was taken to the temple.

The priests received her,

and she danced upon the steps of the sanctuary.

She lived in the Holy Place

as if she were a lamp before the altar.

Angels fed her.

She was clothed in light.

She was known as a set-apart young woman,

consecrated wholly to the service of the Most High.

When Mary reached twelve years,

the priests said:

“It is not fitting that she remain in the temple.

Let us choose a guardian for her.”

They prayed and received this sign:

“Let every widower from the house of David bring his staff.

And the one on whom the Spirit rests shall be her protector.”

Joseph, a humble builder,

brought his staff — reluctant and silent.

Suddenly, a dove came forth from his staff

and flew to heaven.

The priests said:

“Joseph, you are chosen.”

He replied:

“I am an old man —

she is a young girl.

Let me not become a laughingstock.”

But the priest said:

“Fear not.

This is the will of the Most High.”

Mary took up her duties

and went to draw water.

Then a light surrounded her,

and a voice spoke:

“Rejoice, O one full of grace —

the Lord is with you.

You shall conceive by the Breath of the Most High,

and bear a Son,

and He shall be called the Son of God.”

Mary was troubled.

She hid herself for months,

not speaking of the vision.

When Joseph found Mary with child,

he was grieved.

He said:

“I received her as consecrated and pure —

and now she is with child.

What have I done?”

He thought to send her away quietly.

But an angel came in a dream and said:

“Joseph, son of David —

do not fear.

What is conceived in her is from the Set-Apart Breath.”

Still, the priests accused them both.

They set a test:

“Let them both drink the bitter water of judgment.

If they are guilty, they will suffer.”

They drank — and nothing happened.

The people marveled.

The priest said:

“Surely this is the hand of God.”

A decree went out that all must register.

Joseph took Mary and traveled to Bethlehem.

As they neared the city,

Mary cried out:

“Place me somewhere, Joseph —

for the child within me presses to be born.”

He found a cave.

He left her there with his sons,

and went to find a midwife.

As he walked,

the heavens grew still.

The birds froze in flight.

The wind ceased.

Time itself paused.

Then a light filled the cave.

When Joseph returned,

the child was wrapped in radiant cloth,

and a bright cloud overshadowed the mother.

Joseph found a midwife named Salome.

She entered the cave

and saw the set-apart young woman holding the child.

Salome cried out:

“This consecrated girl has given birth!

As the Lord lives,

this has never been heard on earth.”

But she doubted.

She reached out to test Mary

— and her hand withered.

She wept and said:

“Forgive me!

I have tested the Living Temple.”

Then an angel appeared,

and her hand was healed.

She worshiped and cried:

“This child is the King of Israel!”

Wise ones from the east came to the cave.

They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Herod heard and was enraged.

He sought to kill the child.

But the heavens protected Him.

The family fled to Egypt.

And Mary sang:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”