The Infancy Gospels of Jesus: Apocryphal Tales from the Childhoods of Mary and Jesus: Annotated and Explained
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Early Christian legends of divine power, miraculous events, fear and admiration can inform your own spiritual journey.The three principal infancy gospels-the Infancy Gospel of James, the Gospel of the Infancy, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas-are accounts of the births and early lives of Mary the Virgin Mother, and Jesus. Originating in the second through fifth centuries, these apocryphal stories are fictions but nevertheless of great historical interest in terms of the beliefs and storytelling of early Christians, for they are the sources of well-known Christian legends as well as of some of Christianity's beloved heroes and heroines.This fascinating and accessible exploration of formative influential narratives takes you deep into the early Christian religious thinking that provides the basis for Mary's biography, ideas about her purity, as well as the prayers, feasts, and iconic representations that celebrate her life. These extraordinary folk-tales also provide some shocking imagery of the young Jesus, the incarnation of God-equally human and divine-as he learns to control his supernatural powers and apply them for good.Now you can experience the mystery and amusement of these charming folktales without any previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares inspiring interpretations, and gives you a deeper understanding of the sources of devotion Christians feel for Mary and the holy infant Jesus.
Foreword A. Edward Siecienski vIntroduction: Tales from the Childhood of Mary and Jesus ixThe Gospel of James 1Joachim and Anne: The Gift of Mary 3Mary: The Story of Her Birth 9Mary: Raised in Blessing and Purity 13Joseph: Mary's Protector 19Mary: Miraculous Conception 29Joseph and Mary: Accused and Tested 33Mary and Joseph: The Christmas Story 41The Magi: In Search of a King 53Herod: The Murder of Zechariah 57The Gospel of the Infancy 63A Cave, Not a Stable: The Nativity Story 65A Sinful Mary and the Anointing of Christ 71Jesus in the Temple 73The Magi and Herod: Varying Views of Jesus 75Into Egypt: The Holy Family in Flight 77Exorcising a Deaf and Dumb Demon 83The Bridegroom Mule: A Brother Restored 87Bandits: In Them, Jesus Sees His Destiny 93Balsams in His Path: The Holy Child Returns 95The Co-Wife's Punishment 97Satan's Bite: The Young Judas Iscariot 101Divine Mischief: The Boy Jesus at Play 103The King, Christ and a Snake 107The Infancy Gospel of Thomas 111The Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas 113Clay Sparrows: A Dark Miracle 115The Vengeful Boy: Christ in Conflict 119The Young Healer Explores His Powers 125Divine Carpenter: Jesus Adjusts His Elder's Mistakes 127The Pupil Teachers His Teacher 129The Miraculous Physician 133In the House of My Father: Jesus in the Temple 135Notes 138Suggestions for Further Reading 140
