The Apocryphal New Testament (1924)/Infancy Gospels/The Gospel of the Birth of Mary
THE GOSPEL OF THE BIRTH OF MARY,
as it was called by Hone, demands but a short notice. It is attributed to St. Jerome and finds a place in the editions among the spurious works that bear his name. It has passed almost bodily into the Golden Legend of James de Voragine, and so has exercised an influence on art and literature. But in itself it is, compared even with Pseudo-Matthew, a very poor production; being no more than an amplification of the earlier chapters of that work in more elegant Latin, and with all the detail blurred and smoothed down. No source has been employed by the writer but Pseudo-Matthew and the canonical Gospels. A brief analysis may be given.
I. Mary was born at Nazareth. Her parents. Ioachim's charity.
II. At the dedication feast his offering is rejected by Isachar. He retires to his flocks.
III. The angel appears to him and bids him return to Anne;
IV. And to Anne and bids her meet him at the Golden Gate.
V. They meet. Mary is born.
VI. Her presentation in the Temple at three years old.
VII. Her life there. At 14 years old it is agreed to summon the single men.
VIII. Joseph's rod. He takes her home with seven other virgins.
IX. The Annunciation: mostly from the Gospels.
X. Joseph's perplexity: the angel reassures him: Christ is born.