The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 174 -
The Nature Of The Moon
THAT EVENING the full moon had just 'risen over Ostracine,
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and Jonathan admired its beautiful form from this hill, enjoyed its light and was altogether silent.
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Joseph soon noticed this and asked Jonathan, 'Brother, just what do you see in the shining disk of the moon, since you observe it so attentively?'
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And Jonathan answered, 'Actually I do not see anything at all - except the old, always the same spots.
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But as often as I see the moon I always wonder what those spots might be and what the moon is anyway - why we sometimes do not see it at all, then like a sickle, and then again so and so.
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If you know any more than that tell me about it, for I really like to hear about things like that.'
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Here Joseph admitted, 'Dear friend, in this respect we both are quite alike,
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and I am thus no better informed about the strange nature of this heavenly body than you are,
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so I am able to tell you as good as nothing concerning this matter. The little Child will surely know more about it than I - so ask Him.'
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Here Jonathan in a somewhat backward manner asked the little Child concerning the nature of the moon.
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And the little Child answered: 'Jonathan, if I show you the moon, you then will also want to see the sun and after that the countless stars.
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Tell Me, when will your desire to see come to an end?
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Behold, much knowledge burdens the head and makes life on earth unpleasant.
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But much love in your heart to God and your fellow men makes life on earth pleasant and takes away all fear of death.
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For this love truly is eternal life in itself - and whoever has this will at some future time see the whole creation!
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For those who truly love God will see His face! And that is the face of God which he created by His wisdom and by His eternal, infinite power.
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For the face of God is wisdom and infinite power, just as love is His fundamental essence from eternity.
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'But since you have already asked Me about the moon, I say this to you: it is a lesser earth and has mountains, valleys, fruits, animals and beings of your kind.
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Now the part which you see is naked and void and has neither water nor fire.
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Only the part which you do not see is like the earth.
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The moon's light is from the sun, its brightness depends on its position and changes every minute according to its rotation around the earth. And its spots are deeper and darker places of trial.
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Now you know what the moon is - are you satisfied therewith?' - And Jonathan affirmed this question and absorbed himself in deep thoughts.