JOSEPH, FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS

                  JOSEPH, FOSTER-FATHER OF JESUS

                                BY

                         HARRIET SHIKOSKI

To my Readers;

     Many details included in this story of Joseph originated in the visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustinian nun who was told in vision that she was privileged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Brentano, arranged and edited by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. and translated from German into English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of St. Joseph captures his true character and helps us to understand the man whom God chose to protect and support His Son.

  

                  JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

     Joseph was the third one of the six sons of a man named Jacob.  Jacob was born of the House of David, a descendant of David through David's son, Solomon, in a direct male line.  (Matt. 1:1-16)  If Judea had remained an independent kingdom, Jacob might have become its king.  But the Roman legions had over-powered the country.  Herod the Great had been proclaimed King of Judea, and ruled with the consent of Rome.  The beautiful palace that David had built had been made into a government house for Roman authorities.  The descendants of David had been divested of their political power and much of their property.

     Jacob and his family lived in a large mansion once owned by Jesse, the father of David.  It was just outside the city of Bethlehem near its west gate.  David had been born in this house.  In the past when the royal family had lived in the palace that David built, this home had been used only as a retreat, as a vacation spot.  The lower story of the dwelling had a door but no windows.  The upper story had circular openings.  A broad gallery ran around the top of the house.  Above the center of the flat roof was another smaller story, crowned by a tower and cupola.  Joseph and his brothers occupied this top story.

     The grounds had a large courtyard enclosed by stone walls and surrounded by covered walks with trees and shrubbery.  In it was a stone spring-house built over a spring whose waters gushed forth out of faucets, each of which was shaped like some animals's head.  Outside and adjoining the garden wall were some small low dwellings where two elderly women servants lived.  Joseph and his brothers helped them in their work, doing things like carrying water into the house.  His brothers talked with them often but Joseph was more quiet and reserved.

    
Living with Joseph's family was an aged Jew who taught the boys their lessons.  Joseph was different from his brothers, very talented and learned quickly.  His father wanted him to become a scribe, a man who would read, write, and/or keep business accounts for a fee, a service needed by illiterates having business concerns.  Jacob thought that such an occupation would bring much needed money into the family without demeaning its prestige of belonging to the royal House of David.  But Joseph was simple in his tastes, gentle, pious and unambitious in a worldly way.  He preferred to make something with his hands, something useful that would make things easier for someone.

     Joseph's parents did not trouble themselves very much about their children.  They were neither good nor bad parents, paying  very little attention to their offspring.  Joseph's brothers used to play all kinds of tricks on him, knocking him around at will.  Each of the boys had a little garden in which grew bushes, small trees and plants.  Often his brothers would slyly trample or tear up plants in Joseph's garden.  They treated him roughly, but he bore all of it patiently.  There was something uncommonly tender, gentle and obliging in Joseph's whole deportment.  He quietly helped whoever, wherever he felt needed.

     Joseph had heard about the prediction made by the prophet living on Mount Carmel that the advent of the promised Messiah was near, even in the next generation or two.  Joseph longed for that coming and prayed often that the Messiah would soon come to redeem His people.

     Once when Joseph was praying, kneeling in the courtyard and facing the stone wall so as not to be distracted, a brother came up behind him and kicked him in the back.  Joseph kept on praying, appearing not to notice it.  His brother, annoyed at being ignored, again kicked him as hard as he could.  Poor Joseph pitched forward, hit his head against the stone wall, and fell down lying very still.  At first it was thought that he was dead, but later he recovered completely.  He did not try to avenge himself but merely turned away quietly and afterward sought other secluded places to pray.

     After this incident Joseph began to take long walks, looking for solitary places behind bushes, in the corners of fields, or wherever he could find uninterrupted peace for praying.  It was at this time of his life that he became friendly with the shepherds who lived near Bethlehem.  He learned about the caves that were located northeast of Bethlehem.  Some of the shepherds used them for storage or for sheltering sheep during inclement weather.  He also met some very pious old Essenian women who had an oratory hidden in a vault near that area.  Joseph often prayed with them, went to them in his troubles, and shared in their devotions.

     There was a poor carpenter who lived in this neighborhood.  Joseph helped him as much as he could and sometimes stayed with him.  In return for his help, the carpenter taught Joseph his trade.  Joseph found that the geometry which the Jewish tutor had taught him was very useful in planning the designs which he wove into wicker work.

     Joseph's parents were not satisfied with him.  They wished he would use his talents to fit himself for a position in the world of business and politics, but Joseph was unworldly, humble, and had no desire to shine.

     The hostility of his brothers at last went so far that when about eighteen Joseph fled from his father's house by night.  A friend who lived outside Bethlehem brought him clothes in which to make his escape.  He worked for his living in a very poor family in Libona on the southern slope of Mount Gerizim.  This man supported himself by making rough wicker partitions such as those Joseph had learned how to make.  Joseph assisted him and his family as much as he could, such as gathering wood and carrying it into the house.

     Joseph's parents believed that he had been kidnapped, but his brothers found out where he was staying.  His father went to ask him to come home, but Joseph refused.  He would not leave the poor people he was helping, nor give up the humble occupation of which his family was ashamed.

     The word "carpenter" as applied to Joseph is not synonymous with "wood worker."  Judea did not have many trees.  Some olive wood was used but it was not abundant.  Date wood was unsatisfactory as a raw material.  Cedar, imported from Lebanon, was very expensive.  Buildings and walls were built mostly of stone.  A common material with which Joseph worked were the wicker plants and reeds which grew along the streams.  They were woven together to make wall hangings, movable walls, floor coverings, bed mats, ceilings, etc.

     Afterward Joseph lived in Thanach where he worked for a well to do family.  There he learned how to make better articles, turning out lovely pieces.  Though the town was small it did have a synagogue which Joseph often attended.  He lived very piously and humbly, loved and esteemed by all.  Later in life he worked for a man in Tiberias where Joseph lived alone near the water.

     Joseph's parents had been dead for a long time.  His brothers were scattered.  The ancestral house had passed into other hands and the whole family had rapidly declined.  Joseph was very pious, spending much time praying for the coming of the Messiah.  Even as an adult he was quiet and had a great reserve around women.  He was thin, handsome, had a fair complexion, prominent cheekbones tinged with red, a high, open forehead and a brownish beard.

     Then came the time when a Temple maiden named Mary had reached marrying age.  It was the custom to send such a virgin back to her father who would find a husband for her.  Mary's father, Joachim, (Eliachim, also known as Heli,) had died, in which case it was considered the duty of the high priest to find her a husband.  The high priest was well aware that Mary was very virtuous and he wished to find a very good, upright husband for her, but he could think of no one suitable.  The high priest was no longer able to walk, but he was carried into the Temple next to the Holy of Holies, incense was lit, and he prayed sitting before an open scroll.  He closed his eyes, raised his finger up and brought it down on the scroll.  It pointed to Isaiah 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root."  The high priest interpreted this to mean that Mary's husband should come from "the root of Jesse"--the House of David.  (Jesse was David's father.)

     The high priest summoned all unmarried men of the House of David to the Temple and asked them to present their rods before the altar.  These rods, or staffs, were not simple walking staffs.  They had carved on them the genealogy of the owner and were used for identification purposes.  The men presented their staffs to the high priest as proof that they truly were of the House of David.

     None of the staffs that were offered distinguished itself.  The high priest was perplexed as to who should become Mary's husband.  Again he prayed and was enlightened that the right man had not yet offered his rod.

     Priests began searching many different rolls of writing looking for other descendants of David.  Two others were found.  Then they discovered that of the six sons of Jacob, they had  accounted for only five.  A search began for the other son of Jacob.  Joseph was found in a humble one room hut along a stream near the border of Samaria six miles from Jerusalem.  When the messengers from the Temple arrived Joseph told them that, yes, he had heard of the Virgin Mary, but that he was unworthy to be her husband.  In obedience to the high priest, Joseph dressed in his best and accompanied the messengers back to the Temple.  As Joseph was about to lay his rod upon the altar, it blossomed into a white flower like a lily.  He was led to Mary, introduced to her, and then left alone with her to discuss their marriage.

     Consternation hit Joseph!  He had never intended to marry, wishing only to quietly devote himself to praying for the Messiah to come, and to help those who needed his help; he was forty-five, thirty years older than Mary; and he lived in a one room hut hardly big enough for just himself to live and work.  Joseph did not refuse the request of the high priest to marry, but pointed out that he had no place for a wife to live, especially a wife as virtuous as Mary.  He asked to have the marriage postponed indefinitely.

     Mary's mother, Anna, had remarried.  She and her second husband, Eliud, had been following the negotiations.  Anna still owned the house in Nazareth in which Mary had been born and where she had spent her first three years of life before her Presentation in the Temple.  Anna and Eliud now offered this house for the use of Mary and Joseph.  The high priest had been concerned about Mary for a long time, and now that it was settled as to who she would marry and where they could live, he wished to be free of his obligation to her.  He asked that the wedding take place without delay.

     Three days later the wedding took place in the Temple at Jerusalem.  The seven other virgins, who had been scheduled to leave the Temple at the same time as Mary, had already been sent home.  They were called back.  Besides these virgins and the women living at the Temple, many relatives of Joachim and Anna were present at the wedding.  After the religious ceremony, the wedding was celebrated on Mount Zion in a house hired out for such feasts.

     After the festivities Anna, her second husband, and many relatives from Nazareth who had come to the wedding, walked back to Nazareth together.  Joseph accompanied them as one of the escorts.  But as soon as Mary was received in Anna's house, he left and went to take care of business affairs.  He journeyed on the road to Tiberias with two beasts of burden to bring his tools to Nazareth.

     For himself Joseph had never cared about being of the House of David, but now he wanted to bestow that honor on Mary, and nowhere would that dignity and honor be more appreciated than in Bethlehem, the city of David.  He now desired to establish a home for her there, where she could enjoy the social prestige of belonging to the House of David.  He left Nazareth again to travel to Bethlehem.

     Joseph's search for a house to rent in Bethlehem proved fruitless.  Just about the time he thought that he had found one, something happened and the deal failed to materialize.  He inquired about buying a house and failed in that also.  He thought of building a home, but Bethlehem was in an expanding phase.  Many of her buildings had been destroyed when it resisted the Roman soldiers.  Now peace had been established.  With the help of Roman authorities, Bethlehem was trying to restore what had been destroyed.

     Having failed in obtaining a house, Joseph plodded back to Nazareth.  He had expected Mary to be as disappointed as he himself was.  Instead she was filled with a quiet happiness and a great desire to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Joseph had not yet settled down in Nazareth when he and Mary journeyed to the hills of Juttah near Hebron where Elizabeth and her husband Zachary lived.  Although it was a long journey they made it very quickly. (Luke 1:39)

     Zachary's house stood upon a solitary hill.  Some other dwellings were scattered around.  Elizabeth saw Mary coming and went to meet her.  When Mary saw Elizabeth she ran to meet her, while Joseph purposely held back to let the women greet each other.  He took care of the ass, and then went around to the side of the house and into an open hall where Zachary was sitting.  He respectfully saluted the aged priest who responded by writing on his tablet. (Luke 1:20,22)  Joseph had not intended to tarry with Zachary but to continue on to Bethlehem to again search for proper housing.  He had wanted to leave immediately because he hoped to reach Bethlehem before the Sabbath began, but Elizabeth and Zachary persuaded him to spend the Sabbath with them.  In the end he stayed with them for eight days.  Joseph and Zachary conversed together by means of the tablet, and always about the coming of the Messiah.  Joseph did not know about Mary's conception.  The women were silent about it, being humble and having a secret understanding of their roles.

     When the Sabbath began Zachary, Joseph and about six other men from the neighborhood gathered in a room in Zachary's house.  Lamps were lit and the Sabbath was celebrated.  Mary, Elizabeth and two other women stood apart in a grated partition from which they could see into the oratory.  They were entirely enveloped with prayer mantles over their head.  Zachary wore his priestly festive robes the whole of the Sabbath.

     After Joseph celebrated the second Sabbath with Zachary and Elizabeth he continued on his journey to Bethlehem, accompanied for a way by Zachary.  Again he was unable to find a suitable home for Mary.

     Mary had been with Elizabeth for three months when Joseph returned to take her back to Nazareth. (Luke 1:5-6)  Elizabeth's son, John the Baptist, had been born but had not yet been circumcised when they left.  It was while they were walking back to Nazareth that Joseph first noticed the change in her.  She was less buoyant, more sedate in her actions, and, yes, her slim figure was changing.  What had happened to her?  Had some man over powered her?  Who?  Why didn't she say anything to him?

     He gave no sign of his knowledge and struggled with his doubts.  Mary, who feared this, was silent and preoccupied, thus increasing his uneasiness.  In her humility she could not bring herself to tell him that she had been picked by God to be the mother of the Messiah.  She had a presentiment that God did not wish her condition to be known.  She waited for this knowledge to be given him whenever it was the Divine will.  Joseph had become acquainted with her shyness, her modesty, her good sense and piety.  He did not, could not, would not, believe her to be unfaithful.  If some man had overpowered her it was because he, Joseph, had not given her the needed protection he should have.  He felt like a great failure.  He not only could not provide a home for her, but he had also failed to protect her when she needed it.  If in fleeting moments it crossed his mind that predictions were rife that the coming of the Messiah was near and that Mary might be that Virgin, he immediately dismissed the idea that he, Joseph, was worthy to serve the mother of the Messiah.  If she was going to be a mother she would need someone to support and protect her and the child.  He had failed Mary in both of these ways.  It would be better for Mary if she were left alone, then some other man could become her support and protector.  If he divorced her she would become subject to the Law and to stoning, but Joseph, just man that he was, was convinced that she would never have been unfaithful if she could possibly help it.  She did not deserve such treatment.  For Mary's sake he would leave her.  If he disappeared God in His great mercy would provide some man more worthy than himself to support and protect her.

     He gathered a few necessary items in a bundle he intended to take with him when quietly leaving in the middle of the night.  While awaiting for the proper time, he fell asleep.  An angel of the Lord appeared to him saying, "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.  For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matt. 1:18-25)  Joseph remembered the predictions that the Messiah was to come soon.  He himself had been praying for it.  He remembered his staff and how it had flowered to choose him as Mary's guardian.  And now the angel confirmed that Mary was the Virgin chosen to be His mother, and Joseph was chosen to be her protector.  He would do his best to serve her!

     The house at Nazareth where Mary and Joseph lived had a small court yard in front and near by was a well, a couple of steps leading down to it.  The house was near a hill but not built on it.  A narrow path dug out of the hill separated it from the back of the house, in which there was one little window.  The foundations of the house were cut in the rock, the upper part was light masonry.  Wicker screens were used as room dividers.  The back part was triangular and built on higher ground than the front.  Mary's apartment was in the back.  This back room was separated from the rest of the house by a fireplace.  Her sleeping place was behind a wicker screen.  The main part of the room was used as her oratory and was equipped with a small table and a stool.

     Mary and Joseph had no regular housekeeping affairs; they received from Anna all that they needed.  The cooking Mary did was very simple.  Very little meat was used, and bread baked in the ashes while other cooking was going on.  She did spinning, sewing, embroidery and knitting.  Both Joseph and Mary were timid and reserved in each other's presence.  They were both very quiet and prayerful.

     Mary spent many days with her mother at Anna's home.  Mary, Anna and other women, relatives and friends, spent much time sewing and embroidering coverlets and preparing for the Child.  Not all the things they made were for Mary's Child but many were made as alms for the poor.

     Joseph took cattle to Jerusalem for sacrifice.  He went from there to Bethlehem to look for a place to build, also to look for some means of procuring building materials.  He intended to move Mary to Bethlehem in the spring after her delivery, which he thought would take place in Nazareth.  He wanted to get a place near the inn whose keeper was an Essenian.  When he was returning to Nazareth and crossing the field of Chimki at midnight, an angel appeared to him, telling him to set out at once with Mary for Bethlehem, that it was there that her Child was to be born.  The angel instructed him to take only a few necessities, no laces or embroidered covers!  Joseph was surprised.  He was also told that, besides the ass upon which Mary was to ride, he was to take with them a little year old ass which had not yet foaled.  This little animal they were to let run at large and then follow the road it would take.

     Mary was staying with Anna when Joseph informed them of the commands he had received.  Anna was troubled, but Mary was not surprised.  In the Temple she had learned all the prophesies regarding the Messiah and knew that He was to be born in Bethlehem.  In her humility she had kept silent.  She lovingly submitted to the Divine will and began her journey.

     They started out walking from Anna's home with Anna, Mary Cleophas, and some servants.  At the field of Chimki where Anna had a pasture, Anna's servants caught the little foal which Joseph had been asked to take with him.  The others then parted from Mary and Joseph.  Mary mounted the ass which bore a comfortable cross seat for her and the baggage.

     The actions of the little foal were astonishing.  On straight roads she frolicked sometimes ahead, sometimes behind them.  Where the road branched she waited for them and then ran on the right way.  Whenever they reached a spot where they should stop, the little creature stood still.  Joseph told Mary that he knew the good people of an inn at which for a moderate sum they could get a comfortable room.  It was better, he said, to pay a little than to depend on free quarters.  He praised Bethlehem and its hospitality to console and encourage her.

     It was a very painful journey for Mary as it was cold among the mountains at that season.  At one point the ground was covered with frost and snow.  Mary was suffering exceedingly from the cold when she halted near a pine tree telling Joseph she could go no farther.  Joseph was worried as there was little protection there and they were so far from shelter, but he arranged a seat for her under the tree.  Mary knew the value of suffering.  Though she did not deserve any affliction she accepted it as the Divine Will and offered it up in atonement for the evil that abounded in the world.  Only when she felt she could no longer endure her trials did she ask God to ease her misery.  Now she prayed fervently imploring God not to let them freeze.  She prayed, not for herself, but that the Child she was carrying would not be harmed by her misery.  At once so great a warmth passed through her that she stretched out her hands to Joseph that he might be warmed also.  She took some food to renew her strength before continuing on the way.

     Mary and Joseph arrived at a large farmhouse about two hours distance from the pine tree.  The woman was not at home and the man refused to let them enter.  They went on until they came to a shepherd's shed where they found the little ass.  There were some shepherds in it, but they were friendly and soon vacated the shed, after supplying straw and bundles of reeds for a fire.  The shepherds then went to the house where Joseph and Mary had been turned away and mentioned having met the travelers, saying "What a beautiful extraordinary woman!  What an amiable, pious, benevolent man!  What wonderful people!"  The husband came and begged pardon from Mary and Joseph and showed them to an inn about an hour farther away.

     On the journey the travelers took shelter where they could, sometimes asking to stay in a home, sometimes staying in a shed.  When the Sabbath was near Joseph asked for shelter at an inn.  At first the host refused him, explaining the large number of people already there, but when Mary entered and begged for shelter he and his wife changed their bearing toward them and arranged shelter for them under a neighboring shed.  Mary and Joseph remained there over night and the whole next day, for it was the Sabbath.  The little foal was not with them but roamed the country side.

     The road next ran down to the sunny side of the mountain where it was warmer and they came to a country home where they were made welcome.  Mary sometimes walked, sometimes rode.  Neither was very comfortable for her.  One evening they reached a lonely inn but were not allowed to enter.  They continued on a short way and found a shed where they rested a few hours and then passed on before day break.

     The travellers arrived at a house whose owner was at first uncivil to Joseph.  He threw a light on Mary's face and ridiculed Joseph on having so young a wife.  But the man's wife took them in, gave them shelter in an out building, and offered them some little rolls.

     When people spoke of the difficulty of getting lodging in Bethlehem, Joseph replied that he had friends there and that Mary and he would surely be well received.

     The distance from the last public house to Bethlehem was about three hours walking distance.  Mary and Joseph went around on the north and approached the city from the west.  Joseph's parents were no longer living.  The family home in which Joseph had grown up was at that time used as the custom house where Roman taxes were to be paid.  It was situated just outside Bethlehem near the entrance to the city.

     Joseph went straight into the custom house for all new comers had to present themselves there and obtain a ticket to enter into the city.  The city no longer had a gate, but the entrance lay between two ruined walls where there had once been a gate.  Although Joseph was somewhat late in presenting himself for assessment, he was well received. (Luke 2:4-5)

     Mary remained in a small house in the courtyard among some women who were very attentive to her and offered her something to eat.  These women cooked for the Roman soldiers.

     Joseph went up to a large room in an upper story, where he was interrogated, who he was, etc.  His questioners examined long rolls of writing.  Many of these rolls were hanging on the walls.  They read his ancestry and also Mary's ancestry to Joseph.  He had not known until then that Mary's father, Joachim (Heli) had descended in a straight male line from David through Nathan. (Luke 3:23-31)

     Joseph did not pay anything that first day but his circumstances were inquired into.  He told the official that he owned no property and that he lived by his trade and the assistance of his wife's parents.  Mary was also questioned but nothing was read to her.  Only those who had no commercial interests and possessed no property had to report to their birth place.

     After leaving the custom house Joseph and Mary went into the city of Bethlehem.  The little foal had left them.  At different places Joseph left Mary with the ass while he went up and down searching for an inn.  Nowhere did he find room.  Everywhere he was sent away.  It began to grow dark.

     Joseph at last proposed going to the other side of the city where they would surely find lodging.  There the houses were more scattered.  Joseph led Mary and the ass under a tree whose branches spread out like a roof.  Again he went from house to house.  His friends, of whom he had spoken to Mary, were unwilling to recognize him.  They knew him too well!  They knew that he was poor, and that even if he did have money and influence he would not use them for worldly purposes.  Now, with the shortage of rooms and food, with the influx of people, was the time to cater to the rich, the influential and the powerful, in order to better themselves.

     Once Joseph returned to Mary who was waiting under the tree.  He wept and she consoled him.  He returned to his search but whenever he mentioned the approaching delivery of his wife, he was denied help more quickly.  It grew dark.  Crowds came hurrying past and many gazed curiously at Mary.  She sat with her hands crossed in front of her, her head lowered.  Joseph returned dejected, shedding tears, afraid to approach her because he had failed again to obtain lodging.

     Suddenly he remembered a cave outside Bethlehem.  In his youth Joseph had used it to hide from his brothers and to pray in peace.  It was used as a storage place by shepherds when they brought their cattle to the city.  It was very likely deserted this time of year, or, if any shepherds did come, it would be easy to make friends with them.  He and Mary could rest there for awhile, and after a little rest he would go out again to search for proper shelter.  They left the city and found the cave.  Joseph opened its light wicker door and as they entered the little foal ran to meet them.  She had left them near Joseph's old home and had run around the city to this place.  Mary declared that it was surely God's will that they be there.  Joseph was worried and a little ashamed because he had so often spoken to Mary about the good reception they would get in Bethlehem.

     Joseph arranged a seat for Mary near the door.  It was quite dark.  He struck a light and entered the cave.  Course straw like rushes was abundant.  Back in the vaulted part the roof had air holes.  Everything was in disorder.  Joseph cleared it out enough to prepare a couch and seat for Mary.  She sat on a rug from the back of the ass, with her bundle for a support.

     Joseph lit a lamp on the wall.  He laid their leathern water bottle in a rivulet which he remembered, that it might fill.  He went back into the city.  It was the Sabbath but, because of the many strangers in town and their needs, tables had been set with necessary provisions and utensils for sale.  The compensation was laid on the table when the sale item was picked up.  Servants or pagan slaves guarded the tables.  Joseph came back to the cave with food including fruit, a bundle of sticks and live coals.  He made a fire before the cave.  He brought the water bottle and prepared a stew from the things he had brought.

     After they had eaten Mary laid down to rest on her rush couch which had a coverlet from the ass spread over it.  Joseph began to prepare his own resting place.

     Some of the inner walls of the cave were formed by nature, some were hewn out of rock and some of the upper walls were of coarse and rough masonry.  Behind was a small side cave just large enough for the donkey to stand upright.

     The next day Joseph continued to make the cave more habitable.  He brought more supplies from the city.  Mary told him that her Child would be born that night.  She begged him to do all that he could that they might receive this Child with as much honor as they could, this Child promised by God, this Child supernaturally conceived.  She asked him to pray for those hard-hearted people who refused Him shelter.  Joseph proposed to bring some pious women that he knew to assist her in her labor, but Mary would not allow it, assuring him that she did not need anyone.

     After praying together, Mary told Joseph that her time was near and that he should go and pray.  He left her but before he entered his sleeping place he looked back to Mary kneeling on her couch in prayer.  He saw the cave filled with light that streamed from Mary.  She was entirely enveloped as if by flames.  It was as if he were, like Moses, looking into the burning bush.  He sank prostrate to the ground in prayer and did not look back again.

     The Incarnate Son of God willed to be conceived and born that conception and birth rendered unholy by the Fall might again become Holy.

     After the birth Mary called Joseph who was still lying prostrate in prayer. (Luke 2:7)  When he approached he fell on his knees, his face to the ground, entranced by joy, devotion and humility.  Mary urged him to look upon the Sacred Gift from Heaven and held Him up.  Joseph took the Child in his arms, this beautiful Child, this Child promised by God, this Child supernaturally conceived.  He would do his best, his utmost, to support and protect this Child.  Mary laid the Baby in the manger which had been filled with rushes and fine moss over which was spread a cover that hung down at the sides.  Then she and Joseph stood by Him in tears, singing the praises of God.

     In Bethlehem it was misty, and the sky above shone with a murky reddish glare, but over the valley of the shepherds around the crib floated bright clouds of refreshing dew.  Anna at Nazareth, Elizabeth in Juttah, and Noemi, Anna and Simeon in the Temple, all had visions on this night telling them of the birth of the Messiah, but only Mary's mother knew where He had been born.  Elizabeth's child, John, was extremely joyous.

     On the night of the birth a beautiful spring gushed forth in another cave near the crib cave.  The water ran out and the next day Joseph dug a course for it.

     Early the next morning three older shepherds appeared at the cave entrance.  They told Joseph what the angel had announced to them, and that they had come to do homage to the Child of Promise and to offer Him gifts. (Luke 2:8-17)  Joseph accepted their gifts and then led them to Mary who had the Infant on her lap.  The shepherds, with their staffs resting in their arms, fell on their knees and wept with joy.

     Other shepherds with some women and children came in the evening bringing gifts of birds, eggs, honey, woven materials and grain.  The three older shepherds came back and helped Joseph make the cave and its surroundings more comfortable.  Some Essenian women who lived not far away came to help Mary.  Joseph had invited them for he knew of their cells and community in his early youth.  They brought gifts of small fruits, birds, small oval rolls, linen and other things.  The people did not actually adore, but they gazed down upon the Child deeply moved, and before leaving they bowed low over Him as if kissing Him.  Joseph behaved with great humility during these visits, retiring and looking on from some distant corner.

     Anna's maid and an old man servant came from Nazareth  bringing all sorts of necessary items from Anna.  The maid stayed with Mary.  The old man shed tears of joy and returned with news to Anna.

     Once Mary, her Child, and Anna's maid left the crib cave and hid in the cave in which the spring appeared at Jesus birth.  Some men, spies of Herod, came from Bethlehem because of a rumor that a miracle had taken place in connection with a child.  Joseph met them at the entrance to the crib cave.  After exchanging a few words with Joseph they left with a contemptuous smile at his humility and simplicity.  No one in Bethlehem took any interest in what was going on in the cave.  They were too busy with the mass of strangers--much buying and selling going on, animals were being bought and sold because many people paid their taxes with livestock.  There were numbers of pagan servants in the city, but the news of the wonderful apparition of the angels spread among the shepherds and other people living in the near by valleys.  Many of them came to see the Baby.

     The many gifts of food presented by the shepherds were either given to the poor or used to feed those who were around.  The birds they brought were hung on a spit before the fire, turned from time to time and sprinkled with flour made from a reed-like plant.  Cakes were baked at the fire.

     One of Joseph's relatives came to the crib cave on his way to celebrate the Sabbath in Bethlehem.  He brought gifts and visited Mary and the Infant Jesus.  Joseph was very kind to him but he would not accept anything from him.  Joseph did pawn the little she ass to this relative with the understanding that he could redeem her for the same amount of money he received.

     Joseph, Mary, Anna's maid, and two shepherds celebrated the Sabbath in the crib cave.  A lamp with seven wicks was lit and a small table covered with white and red held the prayer rolls.

     After the Sabbath Joseph went into the city to engage priests for the circumcision of the Child.  Essenian women prepared a meal under the arbors which Joseph, with the help of the shepherds, had put up at the entrance of the cave.  The cave was cleared and put in order.  The ground where the ceremony was to be held was spread with carpets.

     Joseph returned from Bethlehem with five priests and a woman whose services would be needed.  They brought with them the circumcision stool and an octagonal slab with all that was needed for the ceremony.  The stool was hollow and formed a chest which could be taken apart, thus affording a kind of low seat with a support of the side.  It was covered with a red cloth.  The circumcision stone was over two feet in diameter.  In the center was a metal plate under which, in a hollow of the stone, were all kinds of little boxes containing fluids.  These boxes were in separate compartments, and at one side lay the circumcision knife.  The stone was laid upon the little stool which, covered with a cloth, stood on the spot upon which Jesus was born, and the circumcision stool was placed next to it.  That evening a repast was spread under the arbor at the entrance to the cave.  A crowd of poor people had followed the priests, as was usual on such occasions, and during the meal they were continually receiving something both from the priests and from Joseph.  The priests went to Mary and the Child, spoke with the mother, and took the Child in their arms.  They also spoke to Joseph about the name the Child was to receive.  They prayed and sang the greater part of the night, and circumcised the Child at daybreak.  After the ceremony, the Infant Jesus was swathed in red and white as far as under the little arms, which also were bound and the head wrapped in a cloth.  The Child was again laid on the octagonal stone, and prayers recited over Him.  The angel had told Joseph that the Child should be called Jesus.  One of the priests did not at first approve the name, consequently, they still continued in prayer.  Then a radiant angel stood in front of the priest and held a tablet before him which was inscribed with the name of Jesus.  The priest, deeply moved and under divine inspiration, wrote the name upon a scrap of parchment. (Luke 2:21)

     After the circumcision Joseph received the Child back and handed Him to Mary, who with two other women was standing back in the crib cave.  Mary took the weeping Child into her arms and quieted Him.  Some shepherds were standing at the entrance of the cave.  Lamps were burning, and the dawn was breaking.  There was some more praying and singing and, before the priests departed, they took a little breakfast.  Alms were distributed the whole morning to many poor people who presented themselves.  During the ceremony of the circumcision the ass was tied further back than usual; at other times it stood in the crib cave.

     During the day the nurse was again with Mary attending to Jesus.  That night He was very restless with pain.  He cried.  Mary and Joseph tried to sooth Him by carrying Him up and down the cave.

     On the evening of the following day Elizabeth, accompanied by an old servant, came from Juttah.  Joseph received her cordially.  Jewish women did not wait long to give their child nourishment other than the breast.  The Infant Jesus was fed pap made from the sweet light nutritious pith of a rush-like plant.

     The holy feast of the Maccabees began in the Temple at Jerusalem.  Joseph celebrated this feast in the crib cave.  He fastened three lamps with seven little lights on the walls of the cave and during the whole week lit them morning and evening.  One of the priests who had been present at Jesus' circumcision came.  He had a roll of writings from which he prayed with Joseph.  He had wanted to find out if Joseph kept the feast.

     Anna often sent servants with gifts of provisions and utensils which Mary distributed to the poor.  Then Anna came herself accompanied by her second husband and a servant.  The Infant Jesus stretched out His little arms to her.  Mary told Anna that the Kings from the East were approaching and that their coming would attract much attention.  Anna decided to go and stay with her sister and then return after the departure of the Kings.

     Joseph began to prepare for the coming of the Kings.  He cleared out the crib cave as well as the other caves in the vicinity, making more room.  He stowed away the wood and cooking utensils under a shed.  He also went to Bethlehem to make the second payment of taxes and to look around for a dwelling, for he intended to settle in Bethlehem after Mary's Purification.  From Bethlehem he brought back fruit, honey and vegetables for the use of the Kings.

     The travellers from the East were anxious and doubtful because they had lost sight of the Star.  Their camp was partly pitched when over the cave the Star shone like the light of a rising moon, and in it a Child was plainly seen. (Matt. 2:9-10)  All were at first amazed.  It was already dark, no dwelling could be seen, only the hill of the cave.  They found the entrance to the cave.  Mensor pushed back the door and there in the upper end of the cave he saw Mary sitting with the Child, looking just like the star pictures they had so often seen.  Mensor stepped back and reported to his companions what he had seen.  Joseph came out to them with an old shepherd and spoke to them in a very friendly manner.  The Kings told him in a few words that they had come to adore the new born King of the Jews, whose star they had seen and to bring Him gifts. (Matt. 2:1-2)  Joseph humbly welcomed them.  They went back to their tents to prepare for the ceremony of their presentation.

     The Kings put on flowing mantles.  They had a little table with low feet that could be opened and folded at pleasure.  A cloth with tasselled fringe was laid on it and the boxes and dishes containing the gifts were placed on it.  Two servants bore the table with the gifts through the passage to the cave, but at the entrance Mensor took it from them, carried it in himself, and on bended knee placed it at Mary's feet.  The other Kings and their companions remained at the entrance.  Joseph stood at Mary's side.  Mensor fell on his knees before Mary, bowed his head and offered the gifts.  Then he took from the bag at his girdle little gold bars.  He laid them on Mary's lap by the Child.  She accepted them graciously and humbly, covering them with her mantle.

     When Mensor and his companions withdrew Seir with his four relatives entered and knelt.  He carried in his hand a golden censor shaped like a boat filled with incense.  He placed his gift on the little table and knelt long in adoration.

     After Seir came Theokeno, the eldest of the Kings.  He could not kneel because he was too old and stout.  He stood bowing low and laid upon the table a little golden ship in which a fine green herb, myrrh, was growing.  It was fresh, living, stood erect, and had small white flowers. (Matt. 2:11)  He remained very long adoring the Infant.

     The Kings were perfectly happy.  They believed that they had entered into the Star after which their forefathers had so long sighed.  The joy of the promise of many hundreds of years now fulfilled, welled up in their hearts.  They wept for joy and Mary and Joseph also wept with them.

     The honor and recognition of His greatness paid to Jesus by the Kings comforted Mary and Joseph immeasurably as they themselves could offer him only a poor and lowly couch.  The words of the Kings were extraordinarily simple and childlike repeating "We have seen His Star and that He is King over all kings.  We have come to adore Him and to bring Him gifts."

     While the Kings were worshipping the Child, their servants had finished putting up the tents.  Then they began to enter the cave in groups of five.  They knelt before Mary and silently adored Jesus.  When all had seen Him, the Kings came back in together.  They had changed their mantles for others of raw silk.  They carried censers and incense.  Two servants laid carpets down on which Mary sat with Jesus.  The Kings incensed the Child, Mary, Joseph, and the whole cave.

     Afterward the Kings in their tent reclined on a carpet around a low table.  Joseph brought plates of fruit, rolls, honey comb and small dishes of vegetables.  He sat down and ate with them.  In his humility and simplicity Joseph felt intimidated to sit among so many fine people, but it did not stop him from expressing his feelings in tears of joy.

     When Joseph returned to the crib cave he put all the rich gifts in a recess which he screened from sight.  Neither Mary nor Joseph expressed any worldly interest in them.  They accepted them with thanks, and with liberality distributed them to the needy.

     The Kings with their people held a religious service under a cedar.  Afterward the Kings and some of their people went to a large inn in Bethlehem.  The next day they again visited the crib cave.  Many of their people wanted to stay in Judea rather than return to their own country.  The Kings released them from service and gave them some of their beasts of burden and other gifts.

     That evening the Kings came to the cave before settling for the night.  Lamps were already lit in the cave.  Joseph again brought food to their tent and visited with them before the Kings went back to the inn in Bethlehem.  A light was suspended from a tree and under it the Kings prayed and sang with indescribable sweetness.

     Meanwhile in Bethlehem there was a noisy bustling excitement at Joseph's paternal house, as records were being searched.  At a distance from the crib cave Jews lurked and whispered together, sending information to the city about what they saw.  In Jerusalem many old Jews and priests hurried to and fro with writings to Herod.  Then all became quiet as if they wanted to drop the subject, but the governor of Bethlehem resolved to arrest the Kings for disturbing the peace.

     That night an angel appeared to the Kings' followers, warning them to depart immediately and hasten home by another way.  Those in the tents immediately awakened Joseph to tell him about it.  They proceeded to take the tents down and pack.  Joseph hurried off to Bethlehem to warn the Kings, but they had already started from the city.  They too had received a warning from an angel. (Matt. 2:12)  Their departure from the Bethlehem inn was unnoticed, as they had left quietly and without their baggage.  An observer might have concluded that they were going to their people, perhaps for prayer.  Their followers were already starting to leave in separate bands in order to travel more quickly.  The Kings implored the Holy Family to flee with them, but they refused.

     An angel was in a field pointing out the way the caravan should go.  It was much smaller than when it came, and the dromedaries less burdened.  Besides dismissing some of their servants with some of their animals the Kings left many things for Joseph to give away.  Each King rode at about a quarter hour distant from the others.  When it was discovered in Bethlehem that the caravan had departed, it was already near Engaddi.  An angel went before them and sometimes spoke to them.

     As soon as they left, Mary wrapped the Child Jesus in her mantle and withdrew to another cave.  Some shepherds who had stayed around helped Joseph take the gifts and whatever the Kings had left behind, to another cave in the hill of the crib cave.  This cave was unknown except to the shepherds.  Joseph had discovered it long ago in his boyhood.  Here he carefully concealed the royal gifts.  Many of the gifts were given to the three oldest shepherds who had been the first to come to see Jesus.

     Twice the authorities conducted Joseph to the city hall to be questioned.  The second time he took with him some of the Kings' gifts which he gave to the old Jews who had ordered him to be brought to them.  He was then released.  A group of soldiers also came from Bethlehem to the cave to investigate, but when they saw only Joseph, Mary and her Child, they returned to the city to report.  The Jews used a fallen tree to block the way between Bethlehem and the crib cave.  They also set up a watch station with a bell from which a rope was stretched across the road to alert them of anyone passing.  The path to the crib cave ran east of Bethlehem but was not directly accessible from the city, since no straight road led there.  The city could scarcely be seen from this side, for it was separated from the valley of the shepherds by dilapidated walls, and massive ruins of similar masonry between which ran deep ravines.  The nearest direct entrance into the city was by the south gate that led to Hebron.  Leaving by this gate one would have to go around toward the east in order to reach the region of the crib cave.  This region was contiguous to the valley of the shepherds from which one could go to it without entering Bethlehem.

     After the departure of the Kings the Holy family moved into the spring cave.  The crib cave was empty except for the ass.  Even the hearth had been cleared away.  The Child Jesus was in an oval basket made of broad strips of bark.  The upper end of the basket where the head of the Infant lay was arched over for a protection.  Joseph had a separate space for himself.  He brought Mary water and food but he did not go again to Bethlehem for supplies.  The shepherds brought him whatever was needed.

     Zachary came from Hebron to visit.  He wept for joy as he held Jesus in his arms and repeated, with some little changes, the canticle of thanksgiving that he had uttered at John's circumcision.  He spent the following day with Joseph, and then departed.  Many persons traveling to Bethlehem for the Sabbath stopped at the crib cave, but not seeing Mary who was hiding in the secret cave, they went on to the city.  Anna came back from visiting her sister.  Eliud her second husband, and Mary Heli her oldest daughter, and another daughter were with her.  Mary told Anna all about the Kings.

     The Kings' gifts were hidden in the cave in which Mary was staying.  They were in a wicker chest placed in a recess of the wall and perfectly hidden from sight.  Anna's husband and daughters and maid soon returned home, taking with them many of the royal gifts.  Anna stayed with Mary until her husband and maid came back after her.

     Herod was seeking the newly born King's Son.  His soldiers searched many houses in Bethlehem for Him.  They harassed a Jewish lady who had given birth.

     Two old shepherds came to warn Joseph.  Joseph, Mary, Anna and the Child left the cave where they were staying and moved to the tomb cave where Abraham's nurse was buried.  They entered it at night with a covered light.  The cave that they vacated no longer had anything to attract notice as the beds had been rolled up and removed as well as all their household effects.  Several days later some shepherds entered the tomb cave and told Mary that government officials were coming to seek her Child.  Joseph wrapped the Child Jesus in his mantle and hurried off with Him, leaving Mary for half a day feeling very anxious, and without the comfort of holding Jesus.

     As the officials did not find the Baby they left.  Joseph then with the help of the shepherds, took advantage of Mary's withdrawal to the tomb cave to decorate the crib cave.  Both walls and roof were festooned with flower garlands.  All the beautiful carpets and materials of the Kings that had not been sent away were spread on the floor and walls.  In the center stood a table, and on it was placed a pyramid of flowers and foliage that reached to the opening in the roof.  On top of the pyramid hovered a dove.  The whole cave was full of light and splendor.

     The Child Jesus in His little basket cradle was placed on a stool on the table.  Joseph and Mary were standing on either side of Him.  They were adorned with wreaths and drank out of a glass.  Choirs of angels were present.  All were very happy and full of emotion.  It was the first anniversary of Joseph and Mary's espousals.

     When the celebration was over Anna and Eliud left, taking with them on two asses what still remained of the Kings' gifts.  The Holy Family prepared for their own departure.  The portable partitions and other furniture that Joseph had made was given to the shepherds who removed them at once.  The cave to which the family had moved as well as the crib cave were empty.  Joseph swept them out for he wanted to leave everything perfectly clean.

     On the night before they left for the temple, Joseph and Mary took formal leave of the crib cave.  They spread a cover over the spot where Jesus was born, laid Him on it, and kneeling beside Him prayed.  Then they laid the Child in the manger crib and again prayed.  Lastly they laid Him where He had been circumcised and again they prayed.

     Joseph had pawned the young she ass to a relative of his, for he was still resolved to return to Bethlehem and build himself a house in the valley of the shepherds.  He told the shepherds about his plan to return, saying that he would take Mary back to her mother for awhile, so she could recover from her recent hardships.  Joseph was very grateful to the shepherds for all they had done for his family.

     Before day break Mary seated herself on the ass with the Child Jesus on her lap.  She sat upon a side seat that had a little footboard.  They left by the east side of Bethlehem unperceived by anyone.  At noon they rested by a spring that was roofed and surrounded by seats.  A couple of women came out here to Mary bringing her little mugs and rolls.

     The offering that the Holy family had with them was in a basket hanging on the ass.  The basket had three compartments, two contained fruit.  In the third, which was of open wickerwork, were doves.  Toward evening when still a quarter of an hour's distance from Jerusalem, they entered a small house that lay next to a large inn.  The owners were Essenian friends of Anna.  They welcomed the Holy Family with extraordinary joy.

     The next day Mary spent almost all the time in her room with the Child, praying and preparing herself for the Holy Sacrifice, for the Presentation in the Temple of Jesus, and for her own Rite of Purification.  Myriads of angels were in her room adoring the Child Jesus.

     Early in the morning while it was still dark, the Holy Family, accompanied by the two old people, went into the city and to the Temple.  The ass was laden, and they had with them the basket of offerings.  They entered a court surrounded by a wall, and tied the ass under a shed.

     The Blessed Virgin and Child were received by an old woman and conducted along a covered walk to the Temple.  She carried a light, for it was still dark.  Mary was led by the woman to the porch in that part of the Temple in which the ceremony of Presentation was to take place.  Anna and Noemi, Mary's former directress, received her.  Simeon came out to the porch and conducted Mary with the Child in her arms into the hall to the right of the women's porch.  Old Anna, to whom Joseph had handed over the basket of fruit and doves, followed with Noemi, and Joseph retired to the standing place of men.

     Simeon conducted Mary through the altar rail and up to the table of sacrifice.  The Infant Jesus, wrapped in His sky blue dress, was laid in the basket cradle on the table.  When the Child had been placed in the cradle, Simeon led Mary out again to the standing place of the women.  Simeon and three other priests vested.  One of them went behind, one before and one on each side of the table and prayed over the Child.  Anna approached Mary, gave her the doves and fruit and went with her to the altar rail.  Anna remained there while Mary, led by Simeon passed through the railing up to the altar.  In one of the dishes Mary deposited the fruit, and into the other laid some coins; the basket of doves she placed upon the table.  Simeon stood before the table near Mary while the priest behind it took the Child from the cradle raised Him on high, then toward the different parts of the Temple, praying all the while.  An indescribable light filled the Temple, and the heavens opened revealing the Holy Trinity.  Simeon next received the Child from the priest, and laid Him in Mary's arms.  From a roll of parchment he then prayed over her and the Child. (Luke 2:22-24)

     Simeon again led Mary back to the railing and Anna accompanied her to the place set aside for women.  When these ceremonies were ended Simeon went to where Mary was standing, took the Child in his arms and entranced with joy spoke loud and long. (Luke 2:25-35)  After he ceased speaking, Anna, also filled with the Spirit, spoke a long time. (Luke 2:36-38)  Mary shone like a rose.  Her public offerings were indeed the poorest, but Joseph in private gave to Simeon and to Anna many little, yellow, triangular pieces to be employed for the use of the Temple, chiefly for the maidens belonging to it who were too poor to meet their own expenses.  It was not everyone who could have her child raised in the Temple.

     Mary was now led back into the court by Anna and Noemi.  She took leave of them and was joined by Joseph and the old people with whom she and Joseph had lodged.  They left the Temple and went straight out of Jerusalem with the ass, the old couple accompanied them part of the way.  They reached Bethoron the same day.  They returned to Nazareth by a much more direct route than that by which they had taken to Bethlehem. (Luke 2:39)

     The holy family arrived at Anna's home in Nazareth.  Mary's older sister Mary Heli, Mary Heli's daughter Mary Cleophas, a woman from Elizabeth's place, and one of Anna's maids who had been with Mary in Bethlehem were there.  A feast was held.  Lamps burned above the table.  Some old priests were there.  There was great joy over the Child Jesus, yet it was a calm, inward joy.  They had some light refreshments, the women as usual eating apart from the men.

     It took about a half hour to walk from Anna's house to the house of Mary and Joseph.  At Anna's house Joseph loaded two asses with many different things and went on ahead of Anna's maid to Nazareth.  Mary followed with Anna, who carried Jesus.

     Mary and Joseph had no care of the housekeeping.  They were provided with all things by Anna, who often went to see them.  Joseph used long strips of bark, yellow, brown and green, to plait screens, large surfaces and covers for ceilings.  He had a stock of this woven board-like work piled under a shed near the house.  He wove into them all kinds of patterns, stars, hearts, etc.

     One day Anna, Mary Heli and Mary Heli's grandson came to visit the Holy Family.  The boy was about four years old, the child of her daughter Mary Cleophas.

     When Herod saw that the Kings did not return, he assumed that they had failed to find the Baby, and that they were too ashamed to admit their error.  He thought the affair was dying out.  But after the Holy Family's return to Nazareth, he heard of the prophecies made in the Temple by Anna and Simeon.  His fears were reawakened. (Matt. 2:7,12)

     Anna, Mary Heli and her grandson were still at the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth when an angel, a radiant youth stood by the side of Joseph's couch and spoke to him, telling him that Jesus' life was in danger, and that he should take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. (Matt. 2:13)  Joseph sat up, but overcome by sleep, again lay down.  Then the youth caught him by the hand and raised him up.  Joseph now thoroughly aroused stood up and the youth vanished.  Joseph went to the lamp that burned in the center of the house, and getting a light from it, proceeded to Mary's chamber, knocked, and asked permission to enter.  He spoke to her without her opening her screen.  After this he went out to the stable for the ass and started getting ready for the journey.  Mary arose quickly, clothed herself for travelling, and went to arouse Anna, who got up at once along with Mary Heli and the boy.  Anna embraced Mary over and over again with many tears, clasping her to her heart, as if she would never see her again.  Mary's sister threw herself flat on the floor and wept.  Not until just before they left did they take Jesus from His little bed.  They all pressed Jesus to their heart and He was given to the little boy to embrace.

     Mary took her Child upon her breast, resting Him in a strip of cloth that fastened over her shoulders.  A long mantle enveloped both Mother and Child, and Mary wore over her head a large veil.  She made but few preparations for the journey, but all was done quietly and quickly.  Joseph had a leathern bottle filled with water, and a basket with compartments in it, which contained loaves, little jugs and live birds.  They went forward a short distance with Anna for they took the road in the direction of her house.  The Child Jesus was twelve weeks old.  The Holy Family passed many places that night and not until morning did they rest under a shed and take a little refreshment.

     The Holy Family took their first night's lodging in the little village of Nazara between Legio and Massaloth.  The poor oppressed people with whom they lodged were not, properly speaking, Jews.  They worshipped in Samaria.  The Holy Family had stopped there because they could go no farther.  They were well received by these outcasts.

     The Holy Family on their flight encountered only three inns at which to spend the night; here at Nazara; again at Anim, or Engannim, among the camel dealers; and lastly among the robbers.  At other times during their tiresome wanderings, they rested in valleys and caves and the most out-of-the-way places.  Further on from Nazara they hid under a great pine tree.  The persecution of Herod was known even in these parts and it was unsafe for them.

     Once they rested by a well and a balsam bush.  The branches of the bush were notched and out of them oozed the balsam in drops.  Balsam drops in water was very refreshing.  To the left behind them lay Jerusalem far up above the level of the country in which they were then traveling.

     When the Holy Family passed the walls of Gaza, they were in a wilderness.  They always traveled a distance eastward of the ordinary highway, and as they shunned the public inns, they suffered from the want of all necessities.  At one time they were quite exhausted with no water to drink.  The Blessed Virgin alighted from the ass and sat down on the dry grass.  Suddenly there jetted high before them a spring of water which spread over the plain.  Joseph dug a hole at a little distance and led the ass to it.  The poor beast gladly drank from it as it filled.  Mary bathed the Child in the spring and refreshed herself.  The weary travelers were strengthened and joyously thanked God for His help.

     Once they came to a cave in a wild ravine near the mount and city of Ephraim, about an hour's distance from Mambre.  The Holy Family was worn out and dejected.  Mary was very sad.  She wept for they were in want of everything.  They rested here a whole day and many wonders occurred.  A spring gushed forth in the cave, a wild goat came running to them and allowed them to milk her, and they were visibly consoled by an angel.  Samuel had once sojourned in this cave.  David had guarded his sheep around it, and had often come there to pray.  It was in this cave that he received, through angels, the divine commands, among them that he should slay Goliath.

     The last stopping place of the Holy Family in Herod's dominion was near its confines.  The inn keepers were camel dealers.  The people were rude and wild.  They enriched themselves by thieving but they received the Holy Family most graciously.  This place was a couple of hours distance from the Dead Sea.

     The Holy Family went through a sandy wilderness covered with low thickets.  Under the copsewood venomous snakes lay coiled.  They hissed and darted their heads angrily toward the travelers.  Fierce animals darted along flying over the ground.  The Holy Family came to the last place they passed in Judea.  The people were very rude and uncivilized, and the Holy Family could get nothing from them in the way of refreshment.

     Leaving this last place and scarcely knowing how to proceed, they passed through a desolate region.  They could find no road.  A dark pathless mountain height stretched out before them.  Mary was exhausted and very sad.  Mary was willing to accept without complaint whatever pain or affliction God asked her to endure, but she was now reaching the limit of what her humanity could endure.  She knelt with Joseph, the Child in her arms, and cried to God and behold! several large wild beasts like lions came running around them exhibiting friendly dispositions.  They looked toward the mountain, ran toward it and then turned back again, like a dog that wants someone to follow.  At last the Holy Family followed them and after safely crossing the mountain arrived at a very dismal region.

     At some distance from the road they were traveling, a light glimmered in the darkness.  It belonged to a gang of robbers to lure travelers.  The road was broken by pits over which cords with little bells were stretched.  The ringing of these bells alerted the robbers of the presence of luckless wayfarers.  Five comrades surrounded the Holy Family.  All had wicked intentions, but when the leader looked at the Child, something penetrated his heart.  He commanded his companions not to injure the strangers.  He took the Holy Family to his home, and told his wife how strangely his heart had been moved.  The Holy Family seated themselves in a corner on the ground.  The woman brought Mary little rolls, fruit, honey comb and something to drink.  The ass was placed under shelter.  The woman cleared out a small room for Mary and brought her a little tub of water in which to bath the Child.  She also dried the swathing bands for her at the fire.  The husband was deeply impressed especially by the appearance of the Child.  He said to his wife, "This Hebrew Child is no ordinary child.  Beg the lady to allow us to wash our leprous child in His bathing water.  It may perhaps do him some good!"  The wife went to ask the favor of the Blessed Virgin but before she had time to speak, Mary told her to take the water she had used for Jesus' bath, wash the sick child in it, and he would become cleaner than he was before becoming diseased.  The boy was about three years old and stiff from leprosy.  His mother carried him in and put him into the bath water.  Wherever the water touched him the leprosy fell like scales to the bottom of the tub; the boy became clean and well.  The mother was out of herself for joy.  She wanted to embrace Mary and the Child, but Mary stretched out her hand warding her off.  She would allow neither the Child or herself to be touched by her.  She told her to dig a hole deep down to rock and pour the water just used into it, that she might have it later for similar purposes.

     Mary did not sleep that night.  She sat on her couch perfectly still.  At early dawn the Holy Family started again on their journey in spite of the robber and his wife who wanted them to stay longer.  They took with them a supply of provisions given them by their grateful host and hostess who also accompanied them a part of the way that they might escape the snares.

     The Holy Family went from here farther into the desert.  When they again lost all trace of anything like a path, they were a second time surrounded by all kinds of animals, among them huge winged lizards and even serpents, which pointed out the way to them.

     The Holy Family arrived at a town and district called Lape in which were numerous canals and ditches with high dams.  They crossed the water on a raft.  Mary sat on a log.  The ass stood in something like a trough or tub.  The travelers came to a house on the outskirts of the town, but the occupants were so rough and pitiless that Mary and Joseph moved farther on.  This was the first pagan Egyptian city they had yet reached.  They had made, up to this time, ten days' journey in the Jewish country and then in the wilderness.

     The Egyptian territory was a level green country full of pasture grounds.  In the trees were idols like swathed dolls, or fishes wrapped in broad bands upon which were figures or letters.  People, fat and short in stature, approached these idols and venerated them.  The Holy Family sought a little rest under a cattle shed, the cattle going out of their own accord to make room for them.  They were in want of food, having neither bread nor water.  Mary no longer had nourishment for her Child, and no one gave them anything.  Every species of human misery was experienced by them during their flight.  At last some shepherds came to water their cattle.  They too would have gone away without giving them anything had not Joseph's entreaties moved them to unlock the well and allow them to have a little water.

     The Holy Family continued their journey through sandy desolate wilderness.  They sat down on one of the sand hills and the Blessed Virgin sent up a cry to God.  Suddenly a stream of pure water gushed forth at her side.  Joseph removed the sand hill that was over it and a clear beautiful little fountain jetted up.  He made a channel for it and it flowed over quite a large space disappearing again near its source.  They drank and Mary bathed Jesus while Joseph gave drink to the ass and filled their water bottles.  Many animals came to drink at the gushing waters.  They were not at all afraid of the Holy Family.  The soil over which the water flowed began to clothe itself in verdure and numbers of balsam trees afterward grew there.  When the holy family returned from Egypt those trees were large enough to furnish balsam for their refreshment.  The place grew into a settlement.  Whenever heathens planted those trees they withered.  They thrived only when the Jews whom the Holy Family had known in this country went there to live.

     The Holy Family made their way to Heliopolis.  They crossed a long and very high bridge over the Nile.  They came to a place before the city gate which was surrounded by a kind of promenade.  A great idol with the head of an ox stood on a tapered pedestal.  The idol was surrounded by a circle of low stone tables upon which the worshippers laid their sacrifices.  Not far off was a large tree under which the Holy Family sat down to rest.

     They had scarcely seated themselves when the earth began to quake, the idol tottered and tilted over.  People rose up in anguish.  Men working on a nearby canal came rushing.  The Holy Family started for the city, but the terrified crowd surrounded them with menacing and abusive words.  Suddenly the earth heaved, the huge tree fell, its roots breaking out of the earth, muddy water filled the massive hole and the idol splashed into the newly formed lake.  Only its horns showed above the water.  Some of the most wicked by-standers also fell and sank with the idol.  The Holy Family then entered the city unmolested.  Some of the idols in the temples in the city were also overturned.

     The Holy Family lived under a low colonnade in which there were other dwellings besides their own.  The supporting pillars were rather low, some round, some square.  Above ran a highway for both vehicles and pedestrians.  Joseph put up before their little abode a little screen of light wicker work such as he was accustomed to make.  Behind a similar screen was an altar set up against the wall.  It was a small table covered with red and over that a white transparent cloth.  A lamp stood on it.

     Joseph worked at home and also abroad.  He made long rods with round knobs on the ends, little three-legged stools with a handle with which to hold them, and a certain kind of basket.  He made a great many light wicker partitions, also some little light towers, some hexagonal, others octagonal.  They had an entrance, were large enough for a man to sit inside as in a sentry box.  They had steps outside up which one could mount.  Men sat in these towers to watch places or events.  They shaded the users from the sun.

     Mary did hand work such as weaving, spinning, etc. while Jesus lay in a basket cradle.  There were not many Jews in Heliopolis, and those who did went around with downcast eyes as if they had no right to live there.

     Between Heliopolis and the Nile dwelt many Jews whose religious ideas were confused.  They had a temple which they compared with the Temple of Solomon, but it was very different.  Several of these Jews became acquainted with the Holy Family.  Mary did all kinds of feminine work for them, such as weaving.  In payment she received bread and other provisions.

     Not far from his dwelling Joseph built an oratory where resident Jews, who had no such place of their own, used to assemble with the holy family for prayers.  In the center of the hall stood an altar or table of sacrifice.  The priest, or teacher, was a very old man.  Men and women were not so separated from each other as in Palestine; the men stood on one side, the women on the other.

     The Holy Family stayed a little more than a year in Heliopolis.  They suffered much from the Egyptians who hated and persecuted them because of the over-turned idols.  The houses were solidly built and Joseph did not find much work at his trade.  An angel told them about the slaughter of the Bethlehem babes.  Both Mary and Joseph were deeply grieved, and the Child Jesus, who was a year and a half and now able to walk, shed tears the whole day.

     The Holy Family left Heliopolis because of the persecution they endured and because Joseph could not obtain work.  They journeyed southward toward Memphis.  As they passed through a little town not far from Heliopolis, they sat down to rest near a pagan temple.  The idol tumbled down and fell to pieces.  At once a tumult arose among the pagan priests.  They seized the Holy Family and threatened them with punishment, but one of them said that the best thing to do would be to commend themselves to the God of these strangers, for he remembered the plagues that had come upon their own forefathers when they had persecuted the ancestors of these people.  These words were effective and the Holy Family was left in peace.  The pagan priest who had thus warned the others, later went to Matarea with several of his people and joined the Holy Family and the Jewish community there.

     Mary and Joseph went to Trojo on the east side of the Nile opposite Memphis.  They were not well received.  They could not get a drink of water, much less a few dates for which they begged.

     The holy travelers continued to Matarea which was built on a tongue of land jutting out into the Nile.  It was a wretched place, with homes built only of date wood and solid mud covered with rushes.  Joseph found plenty of work here.  He built more substantial houses of wicker work with galleries around them where the occupants could go for air and recreation.

     Here the Holy Family lived in a dark, vaulted cave.  Joseph built a light screen before it as he had at Helopolis.  One of the idols in a little temple fell at their arrival and later others also fell.  The people were in consternation, but one of the priests quieted them by reminding them of the plagues of Egypt.  After some time a little community of Jews and converted pagans gathered around the Holy family.  The priest gave over to them the little temple whose idol had fallen at their coming, and Joseph turned it into a synagogue.  Joseph was like the patriarch of the community.  He taught them how to sing the psalms correctly.  Judaism had greatly deteriorated in those parts.  Only the poorest Jews dwelt here.

     At first the Holy Family suffered greatly from want.  Good water could not be had and wood was very scarce.  The inhabitants used only dried grass and reeds for the cooking.  The Egyptians ate sitting flat on the ground.  The Holy Family generally ate cold food.  Joseph had plenty to do.  He improved the poor huts for the people but they treated him almost like a slave.  For his labor they gave him only what they themselves thought proper.  Sometimes he was paid something, sometimes nothing.  The people were unskilled in building.  They had no wood, except for a log or two.  Even if they did have wood they had no tools to shape it, only knives of bone or stone.  Joseph had brought the most necessary tools with him.

     The Holy Family was soon settled somewhat comfortable.  They had little stools and tables, wicker screens and a well ordered fireplace also.  In the wall of Mary's sleeping place was a recess that Joseph had hollowed out, and in it was Jesus' little bed.  Mary's couch was beside it.  Often at night Mary knelt praying to God before that bed.  Joseph slept in another enclosed corner.

     Joseph arranged an oratory in a passage outside their living quarters.  Each had their own separate place it.  Even Jesus had his little corner where he prayed sitting, standing or kneeling.  Mary's place was before a little altar which was like a table leaf on hinges which could be let down from, or put up against, the wall.  When down, a shelf in the wall could be seen which contained various sacred objects including the dried lily branch which had blossomed on the top of Joseph's staff when he had been chosen as Mary's husband.

     The Holy Family had to subsist on fruits and bad water.  It had been so long since they had good water to drink that Joseph decided to saddle the ass, take his leathern bottle and start for the balsam spring in the desert.  Then an angel told Mary to seek such a spring near their home.  After going over a hill, she stuck a rod in the ground and a clear stream of water gushed forth.  She hurried back joyfully to call Joseph who removed the upper crust of earth.  Disclosed was a well which had long before been dug and lined with masonry.  The well was choked up, but Joseph cleared it.  After that Mary washed clothes here and dried them in the sun.  The well remained unknown and was used only by the Holy Family until Jesus was old enough to get water.  He gave some fresh water to other children to drink, water which He had scooped up in a hollow crooked leaf.  They told their parents and so the well became known.  It was used mostly by other Jews.

     As Jesus grew He began to help.  He carried water from the well to His mother.  If Joseph left a tool lying behind, Jesus would run and bring it to him.  Jesus noticed everything.  He ran all kinds of errands, taking to their owners the covers embroidered by Mary and receiving bread in return for her work.  The wild animals He met on the way showed Him affection and did Him no harm.  Though perfectly childlike, He was very wise, skilled in everything; He knew and understood everything.  The joy He brought Mary and Joseph was greater than their many, many sufferings.

     One evening Joseph was very much troubled.  The people he worked for had not given him anything for all his work, and the Holy Family needed so much!  Life in Egypt was becoming intolerable.  They practiced infamous idolatry, even sacrificing deformed children!  A parent who sacrificed a healthy, well-formed child was considered to be very pious.  Even the Jews in the Jewish towns with their unholy ways were objects of horror to Joseph.  He knelt down in the open air and prayed to God for help.  An angel appeared to him, told him to rise and on the following morning depart from Egypt by the public highroad.  The angel told him not to fear because he would accompany him. (Matt. 2:19-20)  Joseph hastened to tell the news to Mary and Jesus.  Then all began to pack their movables, ready to place them on the ass.

     The next morning when their expectant departure became known, sorrowing neighbors came to bid them goodbye.  There were more pagans than Jews.  The Jews could no longer be recognized as Jews so deeply were they sunk in idolatry.

     The Holy Family traveled first to the balsam garden which had grown up since they came to Egypt.  They rested there and replenished their water supply.  Trees had grown up, some bearing fruit like dates.  Joseph made little vessels out of bark; they were covered with pitch.  He snapped leaves from the balsam twigs and hung the vessels underneath to gather the balsam drops for the journey.  Mary washed and dried some things here.  After having rested and refreshed themselves they continued on their way by the common highway.

     Walking on the hot sand was painful for Jesus.  Joseph made Him some bark shoes that reached above the ankle where they were firmly fastened.  They often had to stop to shake the sand out of Jesus' shoes.  Often they had to seat Him on the ass.  Aa a protection against the sun all three wore very broad hats fastened under the chin with a string.  Joseph had made them.

     After much traveling they reached Gaza where they stayed three months.  Joseph did not want to return to Nazareth.  He still wanted to live in Bethlehem.  He was undecided because he had heard that Archelaus was now reigning over Judea and he too was cruel.  Then an angel appeared and told him to return to Nazareth.  Joseph accepted the return to Nazareth as the will of God and cheerfully obeyed. (Matt. 2:21-23)  Anna was still living.  She and some of her relatives were the only ones who knew where the Holy Family was during all those years.

     The ass did not survive the trip.  Mary and Joseph carried their bundles themselves, and Jesus, now seven years old, walked between them.  They passed within two hours' distance from the cave of John the Baptist.  An angel in the form of a boy appeared to John and told him that the Savior was passing by.  John ran out of the cave and with out stretched arms flew toward the point where he could see his Savior passing in the far distance.

     The Holy Family returned to Nazareth and to the house where they had lived previously.  They spent most of the time in their own respective rooms, Joseph working in his with Jesus helping him, and Mary sewing or knitting with little needles in hers.  They slept alone, each in a separate room.  The beds consisted of a mat and a cover which were rolled up in the morning.  When they gathered together it was to pray.  During prayer they crossed their arms upon their breast, and stood either under a lighted lamp that had several wicks, or near a flaming, branched candlestick fastened to the wall.

     Jesus assisted others in every possible way, cheerfully, eagerly and obligingly helping everyone.  He assisted Joseph in his trade, or devoted Himself to prayer and contemplation.  He was a model for all the children of Nazareth; they loved Him and feared to displease Him.  About an hours journey from Nazareth was a little town called Ophna, where the family of Zebedee lived.  James and John, the future apostles, associated with Jesus until their parents moved to Bethsaida and began their fishery.

     Joseph and Mary,like other pious Jewish families were in the habit of visiting through devotion different places during the year. They visited the Temple in Jerusalem, the pine tree near Bethlehem, and Mount Carmel.  Pious people usually visited Mount Carmel in May when returning from Jerusalem.  On the mountain was a well and the cave of Elias, which was like a chapel.  The people came, not at fixed times, but whenever it best suited them, and prayed for the coming of the Messiah.  Jewish hermits lived on the mountain.

     At the age of eight Jesus went for the first time with His

parents to Jerusalem for the Pasch; every year after that He did the same.  Priests and doctors as well as friends and others became acquainted with Him.  They spoke of Joseph's pious, intelligent, extraordinary Son.  In His twelfth year He also went to Jerusalem with them.

     In traveling back to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary were accustomed to walk with the people from their own part of the country, and they expected Jesus, who was making the journey for the fifth time, to travel with the other youths from Nazareth.  But unknown to them, when they started for home He left his companions  and went back to Jerusalem.  When Joseph and Mary missed him they went back to look for him.  Distraught they searched for Him for several days, both along the way and in the city itself, but He was not among the acquaintances they contacted, nor in any of the places where they looked. (Luke 2:42-45)

     On the third day Joseph and Mary entered the Temple and asked about Jesus of the Levites whom they knew.  They were told that He was with the doctors in the lecture hall.  As they were not allowed in that hall they sent one of the Levites in to call Jesus.  Jesus sent them word that He must first finish what He was doing.  This was the first time that He had given them to understand that He had other commands than theirs to fulfil.  He continued to teach for another hour, and then He left the hall and joined His parents in the porch of Israel, the woman's porch, leaving His hearers confounded, confused and enraged.  Joseph was quite awed and astonished, but kept a humble silence.  But Mary approached Jesus asking, "Why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have sought you sorrowing."  Jesus was grave and answered, "Why have you sought Me?  Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business?"  Mary and Joseph did not understand. (Luke 2:44-50)  Jesus now tried to make them understand that He had other commands and duties than theirs that He had to follow.  Bystanders gazed at them in astonishment, and although the crowd was dense, they opened a wide path for the Holy Family to pass.  With Jesus they began their journey home at once. (Luke 2:51)

     Jesus' teaching had made a great impression on the scribes.  Some recorded the affair as a notable event, but kept the truth to themselves.  They spoke of Jesus as a very forward boy, possessed of fine talents, but in need of training and cultivation.

     After the Holy Family returned to Nazareth, a great feast in His honor was held in Anna's home.  While they rejoiced at having found Jesus and celebrated the return from the Pascal journey, yet the main celebration was to commemorate Jesus' having attained the age of religious duty and responsibility (bar mitzvah).  Over the table beautiful bowers were erected from which hung garlands of vine leaves and spears of grain.  The children were served grapes and little rolls.  Present were 33 boys, all future disciples of Jesus.  During the whole feast Jesus instructed the other boys.  Joseph wondered greatly and began to realize that Jesus was no longer a boy, but was approaching manhood and independence, that it was time for Jesus to prepare Himself for His purpose in life.  From His twelfth year Jesus was always like a teacher among His companions.  He often sat among them instructing them, or walked around the country with them.

     As the time drew near for Jesus to begin His mission of preaching and founding His Church, He became ever more solitary and meditative.  At the same time Joseph began to decline.  During His hidden life Jesus had regularly helped Joseph.  Now He and Mary often stayed by Joseph's side.  Mary sometimes sat on the floor near Joseph's couch or on a low, round, three legged stool.  Sometimes they brought some rolls and fruit to Joseph's bedside and ate with him.

     When Joseph was dying Mary sat at the head of his bed, holding him in her arms.  Jesus stood below her near Joseph's breast.  The whole room was brilliant with light and full of angels.  After his death his arms were crossed on his breast, he was wrapped in a white winding sheet, laid in a narrow casket, and placed in a very beautiful tomb, the gift of a good man.  Among those who came to comfort the Holy Family at the death of Joseph was Joses Barsabas, the son of Mary Cleophas by her second husband Sabas, and Simon, James Alpheus and Thaddeus, the sons of her first marriage with Alpheus.  They had had no close communication with Jesus since His early childhood.  They knew in general of the prophesies of Simeon and Anna in the Temple, but had attached no importance to them.  Only a few men followed the coffin with Jesus and Mary, but it was accompanied by angels and environed with light.  Joseph's remains were afterward removed by Christians and interred in Bethlehem.

     Joseph died before Jesus' passion because he was too gentle, too loving to have endured the horror of the crucifixion.  Because of his great love for Him he had already suffered from the persecution of Jesus by the malice of the Jews since His twelfth year.  Their jealousy caused them to exclaim that the carpenter's Son thought He knew better than others, that He was frequently at odds with the teachings of the Pharisees, and that He always had around Him a crowd of young followers.

     Joseph had deeply felt this refection of Jesus, but now this gentle, loving man, chosen by the Father to protect and foster His Son, had been welcomed into Abraham's bosom.