The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 175 -
An Historic Eclipse Of The Moon
WHEN MARY, assisted by Eudokia, had completed her household duties, she also went up on the little hill preceded by Eudokia.
2
Here the little Child ran towards her and danced joyously around His indeed lovely mother.
3
Mary now took the already fairly heavy little Child on her somewhat tired arms, caressed Him and jokingly said,
4
'My, but You are heavy today! You undoubtedly were two sweet-toothed and ate too much bread, butter and honey?'
5
The little Child answered, 'Oh, there was much to put away! Such a little jar that James can easily hide it in his fist!
6
Then a little piece of bread which one may not expose to the wind either, so it will not promptly be lifted up into the air like a dry leaf!
7
One certainly cannot put on much weight from that.
8
I must confess that I am really quite hungry and already look forward to the evening meal.
9
See, Joseph and Jonathan have already made a meal of the whole moon and are still hungry although they are grown -
10
how then should I have stilled My hunger with that fly's snack, when I still have to grow?'
11
And Mary said to the Child, 'My little Son, my, but You are really quite difficult again today!
12
See, if Joseph and Jonathan had made a meal of the moon, it surely would never shine down so beautifully from the sky!'
13
And the little Child said, 'Woman and mother! I am not being difficult - you just did not understand Me.
14
Now just go on over to the two, and they will promptly give you a taste of the moon also.'
15
Here Mary smiled and went over to Joseph, greeted him and asked him what he was so profoundly considering
16
and why he and Jonathan were so busily looking at the full moon.
17
But Joseph hardly looked around at Mary and replied, 'Just do not bother me in my observation,
18
for I want to decipher something now with Jonathan! Jesus has given us hints which must be worked out - so be quiet now and do not interrupt us.'
19
At this Mary looked at the little Child who was secretly smiling, and the little Child said,
20
'Now do you see how Joseph and Jonathan still feed on the moon? Just wait here patiently, and have James bring me a piece of bread and an orange.
21
For the feeding on the moon by Joseph and Jonathan makes Me still hungrier than I already am.'
22
Thereupon Mary quickly sent James and had him bring what the little Child wanted,
23
and then asked the little Child how long it would take for the two to finish their calculations about the moon.
24
And the little Child said: 'Just watch! Today - even right away, an eclipse of the moon will take place which will last about three hours!
25
Now those two do not know what causes this - therefore they will suppose that they have actually eaten up the moon, especially Jonathan.
26
And this phenomenon will put an end to this observation.
27
Afterward I shall of course instruct them again, as I usually do when it is necessary.
28
But first both must strongly miscalculate and see their calculations come to naught.'
29
Hardly had the little Child finished speaking these words, when the moon already showed a dark brown indentation.
30
Jonathan was the first to notice this and pointed it out to Joseph.
31
Joseph, in great surprise, noticed the same thing and still more, since the eclipse increased with every moment.
32
At this both were soon afraid, and Joseph quickly asked the Child, 'Child, what is taking place with the moon?'
33
Here the little Child said, 'You can see that I am eating, so why do you want to interrupt Me? Wait until I am through with the orange - as you with the moon, and I shall tell you more.'
34
Thereupon Joseph was silent, and when the moon became totally eclipsed, both became alarmed. Everyone now went into the house, while Jonathan seriously believed that he had eaten the moon.