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Apocrypha · Chapter 21 of 25

Protoevangelium of James 21

Infancy of Mary

And Joseph prepared to depart for Judea. At that time a great tumult arose in Bethlehem, for some magi came saying: 'Where is the newborn King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him?'

2Herod, upon hearing this, was troubled, sent his emissaries to the magi and summoned the princes and priests, putting this question to them: 'What is written regarding the Messiah? Where is he to be born?' And they answered: 'In Bethlehem of Judea, according to the scriptures.'

3At that moment that star, which they had seen in the East, again began to guide them until they came to the cave and stopped over its entrance. Then the magi came to the Child and his Mother, Mary, and brought out offerings from their coffers: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

4But, warned by an angel not to enter Judea, they returned to their lands by another route.

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About Protoevangelium of James

The childhood of Mary, the choosing of Joseph and the birth in a cave. It is the source of nearly all later Marian devotion — including the names Anne and Joachim.