The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 125 -
An Old Temple Collapses
WHEN THE SUMMIT of this mountain had thus been cleansed of all the vermin, Cyrenius said to his attendants,
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'Go into the temple and sweep it, cover the altar with clean cloths and lay the brought-along foodstuffs on it.
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We will then take a little nourishment in this temple with its beautiful view.'
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At this the attendants of Cyrenius went and did as they had been told.
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When everything was put in order, Cyrenius invited Joseph and Mary to follow him into the observation temple, to there partake of a little nourishment and refreshment.
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Just then Joseph warned, 'Brother, I tell you, let everything be hurriedly brought out of the temple, otherwise it will collapse before you have brought your things out.
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See, this building is already extremely old, weather-beaten and loosely held-together and once served the priests in committing great iniquities!
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That is why it now is only being held together by a few evil spirits.
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If I and my wife and the Baby now step into this loosely held-together structure, the evil spirits will flee, and the whole temple will collapse on our heads in dusty ruins.
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I therefore beg you, follow my advice and you will fare well!'
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Cyrenius made big eyes at this but nevertheless immediately followed Joseph's advice.
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And his attendants had barely completed this task, albeit in great haste, when a great swarm of black flies was seen fleeing the temple amid a wild, massive buzz.
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At this appearance Joseph called to the servants, 'Get out of the temple in all haste or you will suffer harm!'
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As if seized by a gale the servants of Cyrenius rushed out of the temple at Joseph's call.
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And when in greatest haste they were hardly a few steps away from the temple, it already collapsed amid a great, thunderous crash.
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All were horrified and struck their hands together over their heads, and even the three trusty lions ran a short distance away on this occasion but returned after a little while.
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Everyone inquired of everyone else why this happened, but among the pagans - with the exception of Cyrenius - no one could give an answer.
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When the party had recovered somewhat from its fright, Cyrenius asked Joseph where a safe place might be to set up the refreshments.
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Joseph then showed him an open, green little place beneath a mountain fig tree laden with blossoms and fruits.
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Cyrenius promptly sent his servants there, had the place tidied and gracefully bedecked with covers on which a variety of the brought-along refreshments were placed.