The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 52 -
The Baby Speaks His First Words
THAT CERTAIN SPRING soon arrived, for in this region spring begins in the middle of February.
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But Cyrenius decided to leave for Egypt only by the middle of March, which month was usually chosen by the Romans for dealing with military matters.
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When the middle of March arrived, Cyrenius quickly had his ship made ready and embarked on the journey to Egypt with Maronius Pilla promptly on the fifteenth of the month.
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This time the voyage was made in five days.
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On this occasion Cyrenius allowed himself to be received with all honors in Ostracine, since he had to undertake extended military inspections and visits this time,
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which required that he be received with full ceremony.
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Consequently his arrival caused an unusually great sensation in Ostracine, word of which soon reached the villa.
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Joseph therefore sent his two oldest sons into the city to carefully inquire what it was that brought the whole city into such activity.
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The two sons hurried away and soon returned with the good news that Cyrenius had arrived in the city, and where he resided.
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When Joseph heard this, he said to Mary, 'Listen, we must promptly visit this great benefactor, and the Baby must be taken along also!'
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And Mary, full of joy at this news, declared, 'Oh dear Joseph, that is taken for granted, for the Baby is after all the special darling of Cyrenius!'
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Hereupon Mary promptly dressed the by now considerably grown Child in completely new clothes which she had made herself and thus in her motherly love and innocence asked the Baby,
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'Well, my darling little Son, my beloved Jesus, are You also coming along to visit the dear Cyrenius?'
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And the Baby smiled at Mary ever so cheerfully and clearly spoke the first word, and the word was:
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'Mary, now I follow you, until one day you will follow Me!'
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These words brought about such an exalted frame of mind in Joseph's house that Joseph almost forgot he planned to visit Cyrenius.
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But the Baby Himself admonished Joseph not to postpone his intended visit, saying that Cyrenius this time had much to do for the people's welfare.