secret dispensation of God I was married to a husband. But when I had consented to the annunciation of God, Joseph, seeing my womb increase by the operation of the Holy Ghost, feared vehemently; not suspecting any thing amiss in me, but remembering the sayings of the prophets, foretelling that the Son of God should be born of a virgin, deeming himself unworthy to serve such a mother, until the angel in a dream ordered him not to fear, but to minister unto me in charity.
Of worldly things Joseph and I reserved naught to ourselves, except the necessaries of life for the honor of God, distributing the rest for the love of God.
When the time of my Son’s nativity approached, I came according to the foreknowledge of God to Bethlehem, bringing a most clean dress and clothes for my Son, which no one had ever used. In these I first wrapped him who was born of me in all purity, and although from all eternity I was ordained to sit on the highest throne and honor, yet in my humility, I did not disdain to prepare and minister what was necessary for Joseph and myself. — Lib. vii., c. 35.
