On That Star Which the Magi Saw

On That Star Which the Magi Saw — Jacob of Serugh On the star that was seen by the Magi, which is by the holy Mar Jacob. Memra 6: On the star that was seen by the Magi, and on the slaughter of the infants, the great light that filled the world from its rays. Illuminate my thoughts with your light, that I may recount your story. The planting of the father who cast light upon the darknesses. Enlighten my mind, that I may proclaim the homily of your glory. The image of the glory of the great light that descended to earth. Form in me the word, that filled with light may show your beauties. The fitting sun of righteousness that shone in your place. Shine in me your light, that I may recount your story brightly. By you all the ends of your darkness were illuminated. And the earth was flooded with your glorious light that was sent to her. Your rays spread over the regions and illuminated the faces. And behold, the peoples are delighted by your light, that made glad their faces. Your rays destroyed all the darkness of paganism. And they set up for you an image of light in the house of darkness. To the Magian religion, by a star of light, you sent a letter. And from the darkness you brought it forth toward your light. To the house of the Chaldeans your messenger ran to announce. And there it sought a path for your light to walk upon. The interpreters heard with great love, without envy, concerning that light of the star that was sent.

Behold, we set forth the cause of this memra, what it is: Not a little from the full narrative of the wonderful divine sign that descended from on high, and brought the Magi who saw the great king. Concerning the birth of the Lord of heights who descended to earth, and called to the distant ones that they might be renewed in his nativity. Concerning the messenger who cast his path in the height above, and disturbed Persia with the flashes of his power. Concerning the thoughts of Chaldean wisdom that were divided in him, that it might reject its own and take his, and abandon its own. Concerning the answer of the heads of Persia who went up to Judah, and concerning the offerings they brought to the newborn with love. Concerning Herod, the bloodthirsty, accursed one, who sought to kill that youth, whose purpose was turned by his wickedness. Concerning the slaughter of the thirsty infants who were killed, and concerning the Lord's descent to Egypt as a fugitive. These and the times set the word by which it will begin, and by which it will proceed upon the full narrative of the wonderful sign. For this memra takes motions from thought, and in a vehicle as it were, ideas that go out to the earth. Behold, this discourse will speak from the beginning, but not the beginning of the wonderful memra as its speaker. Do not look at the speaker of the word, but at what is said, in the beauty of the verses that go in it, wondrously.

He who descended to a small place is great in some measure. Not that the small place diminishes the greatness of him who is great from what is small. Even this master of the house of the potter descended like a commoner. And now his narratives are directed toward the weak one, and he speaks of the child. It is his custom to incline his love toward the small, so that for the greatness of the world he might bring good news wherever it is. Toward the poor and the despised, the rich one descended. And here he has established the dwelling of his discourses toward the humble one. The king of kings was turning about among the houses of the poor, so that through his difficulty he might enrich the world and be distributed. A sign came to the child who performs all things in his insignificance, and toward the distant ones he sent a messenger and summoned the child. Through a single letter that he sent to Athor, she was troubled, and through the gifts she was eager to see his face. His commands are revealed through a sign of a full herald, so that the lord of height and depth is obeyed by him. A single sign of light cut through the heads of Persia, and they erred and brought their gifts to offer. He sent light to kill the darkness in his place, and through it he made a path for the error of idolatry. A single ray he cast into the place from his flashes, and through its fear he made the night of the error that had been troubled to cease. A sign came to the whole world that he would shine through his birth, and to the head of the earth he sent beforehand that it might come to him.

To the place far from teaching and from preachers: He sent a herald of light to bring him, that he might be seen. He placed a sign of the zodiac on the shoulder of the Chaldeans, and taught them the way to go toward his worship. The born king arrayed for battle against the darknesses, to show that his side stands for victory. He hurled a stone of light into the night of sorcery, and the forces of darkness were scattered from the mighty one. From the fleeting he made for himself a celestial arrow, and shot his arrow at that depth of Chaldeanism. With the cord of light he called the magi to go toward him, and conquered by his fear the ranks of Persia and brought them out. For to enlighten the whole world he was sent, and they made him equal among the nations and the people of his own. He dwelt among the people and sent them toward the nations, so that to the far and the near he might make his fear one. The king sent a spark of light to the house of darknesses, to bring them out from that night that covered them. He wrote a letter and sent it to the place by a messenger, that it might be a herald in the land laid waste by sorcery. He sent a star to call the far ones by his fear, that the weak one from the earth might go and bring them. On the vast road his messenger sped swiftly, and with beautiful tidings he disturbed the place.

And what was the cause of the star that was sent? And why did it call the Magi with its great fear? Not because a herald was needed there, as with the heralds; or a preacher, like Matthew the evangelist, went; not because a prophet descended there, like Isaiah, to teach: that a virgin would conceive and bear a king without marriage; not because the way to the place of the Magi was unknown; and by its divine revelations it called the Magi. For what opportunity did the star of light descend after them? And by what voice did the good news of the birth sow in their hearts? An apostle who, without fear, would not speak, as if he were preaching teaching and was received. Not because a herald was sent, as I said, but a star filled the way of preaching. Here the cause was found for Chaldean wisdom: that by calculation it saw the house of births, and not by a herald. From the East, the birth of the king was revealed to it, and to the house of births it gave true signs. A wise heart, by its own hand, shoots its arrow at the target; not, however, that it knew how its conception was in its art. By a small arrow that was empty, it shot its victory and was conquered; by its own hand it killed itself, like a Goliath heroically. In the midst of the horoscopes of Chaldean wisdom, learning diminished; and to the East, it turned and pursued after the truth.

How much did truth do and hide among the magi? And it hunted from there the magic art and took it with it. From all it hid itself as if it were complete until it hunted it. And when its fortune was caught, it hunted the wonder that was its own. Even the hunter casts a high net that disturbs, and with the bait of love it makes every kind approach and catches it. For it knew that unless it disturbs, it does not hunt. And because of this, for each kind, by its own kind, it casts. What kind of catch was it that hunted the magic art? But something from the magi of the love of truth. It gave its desire until it took it, that it might come to hunt it, for it would have fled from its hunter if it had known. If it were its own, it would not show itself to it, nor would it receive it. And because of this, it gave its custom until it was united. It was not receiving teaching from Isaiah, nor would it have heard if he had preached his words. For magic art has its books against Moses, and it is not cast toward the teaching of the house of Adorai. Chaldean art, which is opposed to prophecy, and if the prophets had proclaimed something, it would have stoned them. It would not descend from its knowledge to Moses to hear from him, for it was intent on its art. It has labor concerning the house of Balaam and the magi. And because of this, in that which it ponders, truth hunts it.

hunt the bright ones, her thought descended to gaze upon the star. And from there and in it, truth set her snare by means of his brightness. She looks at the stars and at the courses of their calculations. And she completes: truth, that she might see him there until he captures her. From the zodiac she has power over the signs. And in her, his gospel terrified her, that she might see the face of the son. The firmament was her book, and by her bright ones she reads every day. And in it, the wise heart showed her his kingdom. Upon the discipline of the powers her inquiry was set. And upon which ones, and times, and where they travel in their paths. Twelve houses and seven governors she places. And from there she takes a cause to speak concerning the house of births. Within the city truth sat and gave herself over, that by what she learned she might be caught, enter, and see the son. If the prophet had said to her, "A virgin in Judah will conceive," she would not have accepted it, for a magician would not be persuaded. She was rebellious from the city of prophecy, and by the meditation of the powers her heart was corrupted. And when she was poor and looked upon the lots according to her thought, a star of light signaled to her by the sign of the king in Judah. Her heart was captivated by the thoughts of her craft, and by it she learned that a king would be born, as it was said. And again, on the night of the birth of that one who saves all, the whole company of magic saw the magi.

Truth mounted the cause of something and brought forth a sign. In a pure manner, a great wonder was revealed to them. And as the hours of the night were passing and their calculations, and they were watching the times of where and when and how they run, then a divine wonder kindled a lamp. And a new star appeared to them among the constellations, in a known place where the astrologers make predictions according to their word. The light of the birth of the king stood and showed a sign. With what is not true, the truth that would bring a sign did not come to be. For there was another snare to entrap the sign. A star stood that shone in its light and was great in its appearance, and its wonder was strong, its radiance blazed, its beauty flourished, its gleam was brilliant, its rays burned, its sight was wondrous, and it was unique, and no other resembled it. A new sight disturbed the sign to the astrologers, and in their books they could not find its course. They increased their questioning about the wondrous apparition they saw, and the books of Chaldean learning did not suffice to explain it. The form of the light terrified the sign of their images, and all the classes of Chaldean learning did not contain it. And as many things as were said by the Chaldeans, how and where and when and where the Savior would appear.

A great thing came to the world by his new birth. And he has dominion that he might take the whole earth. A mighty man came to the birth as one who would conquer. And all the ends were obedient to him when he was born. The high peak of the days of the born ones fell. And the crown of Nimrod became subject when it was revealed. A strong man who would take the world by his might. The born one now went and saw where and how. The crown of all these crowns falls before him. He went before, took something, and offered it to him. He subdued all the peoples of the earth when he learned. He went and made obeisance to him until the newborn was. The whole creation trembled in fear of him when it perceived him. And the first ones, behold, they show complete obeisance. He subdues kings and rulers by his power, so that they come and worship him freely and not by force. The heads of the earth become servants to his dominion. And he becomes firstborn and offerings and sees his face. He governs creation and takes the cults of the peoples. He went before and worshipped, and behold, your beauty was revealed. He went and wrote the earth in his name, behold, from now until the peoples do not tremble at the hearing of his might. He brought gold and cast it before him as for his honor, because he had prevailed over his kingdom and showed it to the earth.

A great thing came to the world by his new birth. And he has dominion that he might take the whole earth. A mighty man came to the birth as one who would conquer. And all the ends were obedient to him when he was born. The Magi perceived a great thing in this. And from when they perceived this, a sign that they did not doubt. In his birth his glory is now where it is. And in his kingdom when it was revealed, he repaid us. Until the kings of the earth come with their offerings. This one of ours will be a firstling and be offered to him. Until the peoples do not set snares for him with their honors. He anticipated and brought a great gift and saw his face. Until gold is scattered from his treasuries with the valuables. This one of ours will enter before him as a firstling. Until all the distant islands come. The earth will go and take something and offer it to him. Until the peoples who came from all ends triumph. By means of the gift his glory has reached here from now. Until the thrones press together at his footstool. From the enterers of his house he will be a firstling among the first. Until he subdues the firstlings of the earth by his power. His help will go and fall before him from her will. The star of his rising is very strong beyond those born. And he waited then where the king was and arrived before him. Great is the splendor of the star, a light beyond understanding. And without a rudder on the sea of his discourse, one cannot find his way. He mixed the air with the sphere of the magi. And behold, he inclined him to go with them on the road of the Aramaeans.

In the bond of love he bent his body toward the earth and cast it before him, as by his light he called the Magi and led them to the east. By love the wise man’s hearing is opened, as one says: that without love the word of wonder is not heard. For he who loves can learn more than through instruction, for love opens the door for the word to be received. For him who is not thirsty, even sweet waters do not avail; for the thirsty, the drink that meets them brings joy. Everyone who thirsts comes and drinks from instruction, and it is the sweetening of the thirst of the soul that is divided in it. It is the light that shines upon the senses and cleanses them, and by the hearing that is intent upon it, beauties are spread. It is the worker who hastens upon the strings of all who hear him, while he seeks no reward from any man, but is revealed to him. For your sakes, then, instruction opened its two springs, so that those without likeness might drink from its great sweetness. For your sakes, even God sent his Son, and he came to the one who gave birth to you, to dwell in his birth. For your sakes, light shone in the place of darkness, that you might see the way by which the one who runs to the house of kingship goes. For your sakes, a star of light shone from on high, that it might announce the great birth of him who saves all. For your sakes, a king sent a new light, that by its terror it might call all peoples and conquer you.

In all the Persians he sought that your treasure might be that one who is guilty of all: for by all causes he came under the earth to his reasons. They saw the house of his fear, the star of light, the Magi, and they were amazed: by its rays it emboldened them mightily. They learned from it that a king had come, as they had heard: and they set their faces to go toward him, as it was commanded. They multiplied their pursuit of where his place was and among which people: and in their books this search was not found. They multiplied their asking, this one to that one, diligently: and they turned and fell, this one from that one, confusedly. It disturbed all Chaldean learning and its teaching: that they might see where is the place of the king whose fear they had seen. And soon they found, as they were seeking in their writings: that which was said to Balak by Balaam when he was summoned. "A star shall flee from Jacob, a herald shall proclaim there: and a head shall arise from Israel, mightily." They clung to him, the peoples, to Balaam as to a great one: he was a diviner, and his words were weighty to them. And when a slight breeze of divination blew toward him: as for oracles, they considered his word to be true. For from him they learned about the star, from the one who fled: and without effort they directed his word to the peoples of the earth. That from Israel a head would arise was heard: and the heads of Persia set their faces to go toward him.

They prepared for him the gifts for the king who was to be honored: with gifts they approached him when they saw him. And when they were anxious about the gifts to prepare, truth stood to teach them what was fitting for them. They opened your treasures and brought forth the gold of the great king, and they took for him the myrrh of the slain one; again there is for him that which is to be. A worthy offering for his honor, again that he is also God. Incense, myrrh, and gold they brought and offered to him. They had taken the treasure of their fathers while they were looking to offer their gifts to the great king. They loaded honors and prepared the way to go up to Judah, that they might see the newborn in his place with gifts. A messenger stood and hastened them with his dispatches, that they might not be delayed from the journey for which they had prepared. Much of Persia from the gifts of magianship, which with the good things of the heads of the earth, had been prepared. The whole region gave tribute which it sent to the newborn king, whose fear they saw in their astrologies. They were equipped with many caravans, that they might go up and see the king worshipped, who was born in Judah. These were heralds, while he was traveling through the roads, to proclaim the fear of the king to the whole world. Love: the glory of their art hastened them, that they might not conceal the reason why they were ascending because of it.

They were astonished, the wise men in every region. They spoke much about that fear which the star had brought. The star established truth among them concerning the height: that by this cause his proclamation, that of the Son, would be fulfilled. When they saw, and when they began, they set forth his account: that the way was toward the man who was born in Judah. Concerning his ways, his teaching was fearful, and in their promises their words were heard. In every place they sowed the proclamation in him when they began. Even when they saw, they set forth the account of his birth. By the words of the way, their preaching was extended, and by the questions, those accounts were interpreted. Many were the regions and their inhabitants from there, and they learned the accounts of the peoples of the land through their inquiries. They cast fear upon the inhabitants of the cities when it was heard about the birth of the great king. The hearts of the kings who had passed through their territories were broken by the news of the king whose birth was being heard. They cast down the spirit of the rulers who had hoped for the star: that he would come from Judah to take all regions. The crowns of the lords trembled from their fullness when, terrified, they heard about his birth. The new proclamation was proclaimed in magic, and the birth of the king was spoken of in the regions.

He seized the truth of what was his: the heralds. And when they did not cease, they recounted his riches richly. All truth was for Chaldean wisdom to praise itself. And by that cause his song went out to the regions. He made known to them that a king had arisen in the land of Judah. Through the magi they saw his fear in his brightness. Over how much they praised their nations, you know. They multiplied, they spoke his riches, that of the son, throughout the whole way. That mighty one who dwelt in his birth, their magi. And they proclaimed him in the regions through their words. That wise one who dissolved the doors of Chaldean wisdom. And they made him witnesses, the magi of his story. The archdeacon stood over the foundation of magic, that he might hide, bring down, and make him workers of the root. And they praise him, that his witnesses were also outsiders, that he came and abolished their calculations by his birth. The magi erred from the error they held, and he brought them to the path of truth, and they perceived him. The wild ones took a yoke upon their necks, and in his service they began to go on the path of the Aramaeans. He sang the son over the paths between the peoples, and they reached Judah, the land that swallows all causes. They saw that he was hasty and cast silence upon her wise men, and they did not perceive him in the king who came, that he might save them.

The mother of the king was asleep, and her heart was tranquil. The magi came and called to her in her sleep, but they did not wake her. The king's sign spread confusion in the land where the star shone. And the inhabitants of the land were bewildered at the sign and did not perceive it. The mother of the pagans sent a gift to the sinful king. And the bride who sat within her chamber was not aware of him. The daughter of the Chaldeans sent heralds toward the Savior. And the daughter of Abraham, who was in his house, did not honor him. The uncircumcised, who had gone astray, brought their offerings to present. The king's sign spread to the islands, and it was not spoken of. The inhabitants of the distant regions, driven out on the road toward the Mighty One, cast silence upon the houses, and they did not answer him. They came to Jerusalem and knocked on the doors with their questions: "Arise, show us where is the king who shone upon the earth?" The lover of the star was stirred from her sleep by their voices. And without feeling, the truth of her flesh was before the distant ones. She arose from her slumber and went out, but she did not perceive whether they had woken her or not. The distant ones came to proclaim to all the near ones about the birth of the star in their marketplaces. The place of prophecy slept from the praise, and in magic, the proclamation of the Son was being sung. The scribes of my head are troubled: the people and the elders of Zion. And the inhabitants of Persia disturbed the land of the king in Judea.

From the outer regions the tidings came to the inner ones: that the peoples were witnesses to his birth in their regions. The tidings filled the ears of the thirsty from the distant ones, and the whole great falsehood was driven out from their words. New apostles from among the peoples came up to the people, and the proclamation of the birth of the son was spread abroad. Where is the king who fled to the south? His star was seen, and his throne was prepared for him. His great light shone for us in the place of the mighty, and he made us believe truly concerning his birth. Herod heard the tidings of the king and trembled, the weak one. He saw crown against crown and was terrified, fearing him. He began to cast down crowns, and a storm blew against the king of the place, and he stood up in confusion to inquire about his kingdom. The king was shaken by the tidings of the magian craft, and he began to ask: where, and how many, and when was he born? He went forth from the tidings and set his face upon questions; trembling seized him, and he began to learn about the mighty one. He called the scribes and the elders of the whole place, to learn from them about the savior, where he might be. He called the assembly to search for him because of the king, for he was afraid of the tidings of the magian craft. The hands of David were loosed from his kingdom, and he began to ask: where might he be, and what is his place?

Without questions the peoples learned of his birth: and with questions the scribes stood over his lineage. The peoples came with processions and offerings to do him honor: and the people who ask learned to err and where to wander. These treasures and goods of their fathers were lost: and these books were destroyed daily and they did not perceive it. The king inquired about the birth of the great king: and the interpreters of the future revealed the mystery to him. They took up the lamp of prophecy in their interpretations: that they might show the way of truth through their expositions. The king inquired further about the mighty one: that in Bethlehem they might find the king they had sought. Thus it was not written in the prophet concerning Bethlehem: that from it would come forth a king of the line of Jesse for the people of Israel. From the revelations of prophecy they spoke to him: and his heart was broken by the interpretations that were shown to him. The beginning of his crown they interpreted for him from the town: and that a king would stand and shepherd the whole world. They showed him that he would indeed be changed: and another would come whose kingdom would have no end. By the end of the lineage the beginning of the king was spoken: and by its interpretation concerning the son of David it was examined. Upon the interpretation he took the crown of the house of Herod: so that it would never again stand over the kingdom of the house of Judah.

The solid one stood from the revelations of the magi: and he overturned the king who asked, learned about the Savior. He asked, learned, and in his teaching found its solution. He sought an interpretation and it was interpreted for him, for it was changing. Magi and scribes surrounded the poor king: and houses of questions and interpretations were being set up. The magi say, "Where is the king who came? You are not king." The scribes say, "From Bethlehem of Judah, we know." See his madness in his blind eyes, from all sides: that magianism and divination began his kingdom. See the processions that pass before him in their ranks: and they did not give him the king, for he was not taking the gift. They were belittling him to the height, so that he would fall from his kingdom: and over what he settled, they were not afraid of their falsehood. Behold, processions, and you do not take, for you are not: the keeper of the place shows the king who offers to him. There is another king in the land, and he is his lord: to him they bring gifts, and he shows where to offer. To the one who terrified you with his fear in your land, come to him: to him you seek to see and worship, while he is a newborn. To the one you saw, the star whose light was blazing: and in its revelation, fortune brought you from our lands.

He who rode on the course of the zodiac mounted his chariot, and cast his light, and the earth was filled from his rays. Those who were made witnesses in the heavens to his kingdom, and the powers and their authorities are obedient to him. To the great king over the Magi he extended his authority, and by his rays he showed the terror of his might. Herod was astonished at their weighty tidings, that a child was being spoken of without end. The Magi of Persia sowed the new gospel in that place, and upon their words the mystery of the Magian art was sealed. Truth brought witnesses for his story from every side, so that he was spoken of both from within and from without. With the Magus the heaven witnessed to his birth, and the Magian art in mystery openly sang his praise. The Magi bore witness to him with their offerings, for they saw his terror, and the scribes of the people interpreted his story in their commentaries. The star, in its terror, great in its voice, was testifying over him: height and depth were witnesses that he was the Son of God. The scribes were asked where the king might dwell, and the interpretation arose to show his beauty in the town. The beauty of the mysteries that had been hidden was revealed, for the day of the festivals in him showed the hidden things. The lament of silence from the town ceased, and truth uncovered its face and spoke openly.

The teacher stood upon the high place of the Chaldeans, and began to interpret to the sons of Persia concerning the Saviour. The circumcised people were roused against the blind nations, and began to interpret concerning that child who would shine forth. The distant ones came and mingled with the near ones, that they might receive one teaching of truth from the true one. For that one who made two into one was manifest to him, and through him the agitation of the many was calmed. Truth raised its voice and spoke from the reading, and the nations were hearers of their own accord. The sacrifices of sorcery came from among the nations, also the interpretations of the Chaldeans from within the people. The sacrifices went up and the interpretations went out; they met one another, here and there the child of the king was being established. The magi say, "We have seen his star, it has shone in the land of our birth." The scribes interpret, "Behold, in Bethlehem is his child." It was spoken of in sorcery and in Chaldean, and one to another they brought tidings concerning his birth. Light and voice were heralds concerning his birth; the Chaldean and fear were heralds that he was the son of God. Herod, however, was troubled by their words, and as if by thorns he was pierced by their words. The magi and scribes were striking him with their interpretations, that another king was being announced in their words.

The crown of the kingdom was shaken from the heralds, as if they were asking him insolently, "Where is the king?" The serpent swelled up, enraged by their words, and the bitterness of his fury boiled over against the Magi. The king of the kingdom burned with envy because of the king, and he plotted to do murder in his bitterness. He planned to kill the king and seize his place, to overturn the crown and himself rule over his realms. He made a secret plan of Pharaoh against the Magus, that he might be put to death and the treasure that had been sent to him be destroyed. He lusted after dominion and offerings, and set his face to kill the child and take the throne. He raged like a woman from the man who was to be borne, and began to seek a place for the murder that was to be accomplished by him. The small crown stretched out its hand to the great crown, and the weak one began to contend with the strong. He saw that openly he could not approach him, and he plotted in secret to bring ruin upon his kingdom. He saw that the whole people who had begotten the king had perceived him, and he was afraid to take a side and approach him. He summoned the Magi, the pure ones, and questioned them: "At what time did you see the star of light, as you said?" He learned from them about that fear which their fortune had decreed, that it had been confirmed from the time the king was born.

They went, they pursued him with haste, upon the child. And when they sought and found him, come, show us, that I too may go and worship, as you also did. And through your offerings I shall see his face, now that I have known him. Though he does not wish to find himself, that he might worship him. Truth bends the neck of the liar, that he himself might be from among the worshippers. Whether from fear or from cause, truth speaks: that his crown fell and he kissed the dust before the son of David. I too would go and worship, it would be fitting. Truth followed him and gave to the son what was his own. Worship, in words, he took from him as a beginning, which was owed to the son, that it might go out from the kingdom. The word of the king, with the offerings of sorcery, was mingled, that it might enter the treasury of the king. O Herod, you are subject to your crown, your crown: your fear, of the king who is worshipped, takes what is his. Why do you fear him? Do you know whether he is king or not? Gather your spirit until you see where you reign. If from now on you fear his kingdom, by what power do you abolish what is to be driven out? The child has cast you down and thrown trembling upon your kingdom, and behold, you are stirred up, a trembling one, to approach the newborn.

It became known to her how that great king had stirred him up. Wondrous was his authority, for he waged wars with the cunning of a serpent. The throne of the crown that had fallen under Herod: it had come to him, for his was the headship. He summoned the magi and inquired, "Where is he, as you said?" And he set to go and worship as he had heard from you. The elect heard him, but they did not know the whole matter. And they went out to pursue the king. But when they went, the star in its fear received them, and with its flashes it blocked the king's path before them. That messenger who had called them came and led them out, so that again, when he opened the door, he might enter. And he showed them and guided their path after them. And he came here as a friend and received them. Also, it was necessary to see his face in the land of Judah. For him, then, they set out and came after the one who had called them. He revealed himself to them so that they would not be hindered from letting him go, and so that they would be confirmed, because his fear was not of a deceiver. They saw him before them without the ambiguity of interpretation, and they came after him. They were divided over his revelation. They turned again and heard the words of the scribes and their interpretations. And again they believed that from Bethlehem a king would shine forth. And after the star set, they saw the signs of the end: that in the beginning and in the end, his truth is made known.

In that which was shown to them, the cunning of the serpent taught them: that he delivered to them the interpretation of the prophecy. He began on the path of proclamation with his great fear. And he came to complete what he was showing, that it was from the true one. They saw him and they surrounded him affectionately. His great light passed between the valleys. They rejoiced at his sight and took up and went after his light. And the news went to the place of the king who dwelt in Judah. He brought them toward Bethlehem, the village of the poor, for they were not acquainted with the paths to ask the way. The path full of light in which they traveled guided them, so that without a guide they arrived at the place of the king. The way of radiance that shone clearly before them, until it reached the place where the king dwelt there. With a shining light it illuminated the path in which they traveled, so that the king's messengers honored his embassy. It went before them until where the child was. Behold, the wonder whose telling is high from the interpretation. All the stars in the height travel with their courses, and into the depth never does one of them descend. In an ordered rank they travel in the place of their measure, and the fixed course of their movements is not disturbed. Which one of them, by which force, abandoned its place and descended to show the way to men, contrary to custom?

Where did you see a star that came out from among the ranks? And like torches of great light, it kindled the encampment. When did this new thing ascend upon the mind? The fear of the star showed the way to the sign in the land. At what time did one of the ranks leave the firmament? And it descended to walk with the merchants on their path. The firmament is mounted, and in the course of height it runs; toward the depth, however, it does not descend for walking. In the vessel of time, all the powers are arranged, and on one shoulder it runs equally, behold, from eternity. Which of them put forth its neck from among its companions? And it descended, casting its path into that depth alone. All the new signs are in the hands of the Lord, which were never used in lamentation nor in custom. Where did you see a mother who is a virgin except for Him? Or a child who terrified kings except He? For what purpose are heralds and watchers except for Him? And for what child are preachers except for His? The star in the depth, for what did it appear except for Him? All the heights and the boundless were used in Him. The scribes ceased from interpreting His birth, and the interpreters from questions of His glory. In the season of discourses, except in glory, it is not found; for His word does not reach to interpret His great story.

And his messenger filled the scribes with awe, and it is not to be interpreted. How is that which is spoken known, as it is? The star, in its fear, placed wonder upon those who followed it. It lowered its height and within the depth it placed the encampment. It was revealed and they saw its light, the magi, and they rejoiced. And it placed them on the path of its radiance into Bethlehem. They went forth after it, like a decree from the king. And they brought themselves with offerings to see their Lord. They hastened to walk on the path of its light. And when they arrived at the door of the king, at dawn he opened it. A sign before them, until where the child was. And as with a finger, it pointed to the magi, "Behold the Savior." A path was for them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. And they entered and saw the king, and how far away he was. But these entered and saw there the child who was lying. A place where the dwelling of the poor was raised: a small house. And a young mother, without possessions or relatives. Poverty and a king who lies without legions. The magi looked at him and did not dispute his kingship. And they fell before him, while they were entreating with their honors. The mighty ones, the heads of Persia, blessed and worshipped him. To the head who had arisen from Israel, as was proclaimed. The king began to abolish the captivity of the peoples who had erred. And for the captive, in wonder, he placed the one who had led them.

It began to bow down the worship of the peoples, which had been shining. And from that land of Nimrod, it began to be a thing of wonder. The firstborn of crowns fell and worshipped him in the Magian way, so that the other kings might be humbled before his honour. That kingdom of the chief of heroes fell before him, so that it might be a spectacle for the world and be amazed in it. Its great land of the Assyrians gave tribute, and with offerings she wrote to the king of India, her lord. That kingdom which is the head of the whole world bowed down before him, so that the whole creation might be subjected through it. To the land of Babylon, from which lordship began, its truth decreed that it should worship that head of heads. It saw the stone which had been hewn without hands, which would swallow up the great image and fall before it. It struck the head of gold and bent it, so that it might be subjected to it, and like a curtain in the wind, it shook the whole image. The lordship of Media fell from its honour before that stone which was filled from it, the whole earth. The head of the world was subjected by the daughter of the Chaldeans to the heir of the sign which was his from the magi. The offerings of the Magian way went up and approached him, the king who was worshipped, whose sign came to him humbly.

The king spread out among his people from the inner ones: he sent for the outer ones and brought their offerings to him. His own people received him and accepted him as was fitting. The firstborn were honored as beloved. From among the peoples he sent and brought what was needful for him. He spread out among the people from his close ones. The other peoples were like the first ones in their offerings. And the first ones remained at the door of the people and did not enter. The Magi fell and worshipped him in the wonder without division. And when, like the people, they did not see the forces, they did not stone him. When he healed the sick of the people, he counted the hour. And when he drove out from them the demons, the head of the idols. Among the peoples, when they brought him their offerings, they did not see the signs when he acted and they worshipped him. Not when he changed stagnant water into good wine. And not when he multiplied a little bread and fed thousands. Not when he healed the legion and cast him among the waves. And not when he judged the lepers by his word as commanding all. Not when he placed a seal on the blind and he saw light. And not when he walked on the hands of the sea and gave it hearing. Not when he trod the waves of the sea with the barefoot. And not when he subdued the spirits and demons and they obeyed him.

Not when he called and brought out a dead man after he had been buried; And not when a youth made a sound for the womb of his mother; Not when he healed a leper from her impurity; And not when he gave speech to a deaf, blind, and mute person; Not when he healed and confirmed those who were paralyzed; And not when he gave life to the dead who had been laid out; Not when he drove out demons by a sound from the possessed; And not when he gave sight and hearing to those who had been blind and deaf; Not when he stretched out his hand to a leper, which was withered; And not when he dried up a fig tree that was rooted from its root; When he bowed down from the knees of the Magian, They saw his folly and did not dispute his greatness. In a lowly house without walls and without greatness, They saw him prostrate and fell before him in their honors. In the lowliness of the manger of all her villages, They honored him, though they did not bow down in his lowliness. In the poverty that is spread out in it, the lords, The king dwelt and was honored in it by strangers. To the wealth of the world, the rich one was poor in his lowliness, In which he set up kings before him through their ambassadors. In his poverty, he trampled the height of the rulers, And on his threshold, he rolled their honors. His humility bent the crowns, and they obeyed him, And to the rich in his light, they bowed down and served him.

From his swift madness, a fall came upon the mighty ones. And with offerings, they blessed and worshipped him without dispute. In poverty, to the wealth of the child of the rich ones, that he might show that his own wealth was from eternity. In a lowly house, the king's son dwelt in poverty, and he sent for and brought the treasures of kings, and hid them at his door. The Magi fell and worshipped him in wonder, to the great king, and without having seen the wealth of the world, they did not divide it. As a demonstration, he showed the world, behold, from that time, that whoever worships the Son of Truth, in him is imitated. They were not lacking when they offered their offerings to him, in love, honouring him, while not being ashamed of his smallness. They did not delay over his birth with their questions, and they gave offerings and were not troubled by questions. They did not examine his birth and then give their honours, for they knew him to be king, not that they investigated him among their words. In love, they worshipped him, not with disputations did they stand over his birth, for they were a pattern for the sons of the house of faith. A new church came from Babylon to see the Son, and she did not doubt that he was true, for she knew him to be king. The daughter of the Chaldeans, the prudent one, saw him and did not doubt that she would be a likeness of one without blemish, when she worshipped him.

The Magi, pursuing the signs in their questions, toward the birth kept silence, watching like interpreters. Not because his lineage was weighty to the interpreters, but the scribes, behold, they were turning him about in their questions. Not because the beauty of magianism was small, that when they honored him with changes, they did not pursue him. Not because every man worships the Son of God as the wise Magi worshipped him without pursuit. Not because silence was spread over his lineage like a covering, and within it he dwelt and was hidden from the disturbers. Not because the scribes blessed him with simplicity before him, and did not seek him out as the Magi did not pursue. For why did the righteous ones in his lineage, in his tribe, from the interpreters, and the changes in his own word from the seekers? For why did the mouth make a beginning for faith, and in freedom speak every one of his own standing? Not because a vision made for him the sides in the searches, and awakened the inheritance of the commandments to the son of the seeker. The Magi were like a spectacle for him to worship him, so that what was spoken among the interpreters would not be pursued. The apostles who came from the house of sinners in their honors taught the lineage of faith to those who follow him. For where the king asked only in the land of Judah, and when they saw him, they did not again turn to questioning.

The youth who cast himself among the interpreters saw true things. And they did not dispute, that they might ask again about his kingdom. They blessed and worshipped him, and brought their offerings before him. They opened their treasures and gave him the treasures of their fathers. They had taken gold and offered it to him as to a king. And they gave good perfumes for his honor as to a lord. They brought before him distinct garments in their array, for the great crown from which righteousness proceeds. They blessed before him and entreated him to accept the offering. And though he was a youth, they were not ashamed of his smallness. They fell and worshipped him with great trembling, being awestruck. And they sought from him that he not reject their offerings. They did not see his crown, yet they believed that he was the lord of crowns. And they served him with offerings in great love. The hidden crown hastened, and they fell before him, while they were entreating that he take from them their honors. The chiefs of the earth fell before the newborn. And with offerings they entreated him to accept the offering. And as these things were being told by messengers to the king, who was worshipped, while they were giving him their offerings: "Take, my lord, the garments that the earth sent to be offered to you. You are the king; take the tribute from your dominion.

His crown, the head of the mighty ones, sent forth a garland. To your kingdom, the tribute of praise is due. In your name, the earth now sits, for you are its king. Accept from us and depart, that you may be sent forth. That kingdom of Media and Assyria, by our hand, has been sent. For you are the king, and to you the lords are obedient. The great province that has subdued all regions, by these words, the tribute of its wonder is appeased from your region. The land of kings, from which headships emerge, behold, I have written you that you are its king from here to there. The Magi worshipped him, the son, and offered their offerings. While they were being dismissed from his kingdom without dispute. The mighty ones bowed upon their faces and appeased him. And the mother, the virgin, was exulting in her heart wisely. And as these words were spoken, blessed ones, to the Magi who worshipped her son with their honors. Where did you see a king, and what sent you? Reveal to me the mystery, what established you over his kingdom? What order did you see here that made you serve him? Where is his crown, that he is king, as you said? Behold, you see the poverty that is bound to him. And the mother, a poor and needy one, who is with him. What ranks of people did you see that surround him? And how many servants are at his doors who honor him?

How many are with him, the errant ones of the army, as you said? And how many are now riding with him, as you said? How many legions did he send before him to the regions? And what walls does he have on his side from his worshippers? Did you see gold or treasures, as in a royal house? Does he have wealth or authority that is honored by it? Do servants stand or ministers obey him? Are ranks arrayed or is a lordship firmly held for him? His crown is mighty, or a chariot that is adorned with it? Does his garment shine, or are his garlands set with gems? What is in him that resembles a king, as you said? And what is your counsel, that you might see his face with offerings? In difficulty you received them, wretchedly, and concerning his kingdom you believed truly. They say these things, that the son of the king is mighty, and the whole world is his to hold in his strength. It was not because the place was in haste and did not know him, and the people ceased from their prostrations and did not approach him. The heavens bear witness with the watchers over his birth, and the sons of your land in their books over his authority. The forces that are in the firmament examined his crown, that of the great king before whom lords fall. The ranks of Rome wrote him down as king, that he is your son, and in the procession he ascended, the image of valor.

On the passage of the armies, show us his crown. And from him, show us the authority of his might. His weight is great above the shoulder of that firmament. He stood to show us the foundations of the one who came against him. The image of his glory among the luminaries ascended and showed them. And the sun in its radiance does not equal his might. Behold, his authority has caused the heights to err over their heads. And his crown triumphs over the luminaries in their paths. The firmament bears witness to his manhood along with his luminaries, that with wonder he examined for us his kingdom. Between the ranks, these above the king are great. And the name of the victor is there over the deeds. The young girl says that the account of your revelations is true. And the oppressed woman seeks a sign, I seek one in him, behold, from the burden. Or in truth, he is king of the higher ones. The lower ones, however, did not perceive that he had done to them. Even I was sent as an apostle from the higher one. And he examined for me the birth of the son of God. From among the ranks of the armies, the messenger descended. And in wonder, he revealed to me his account luminously. I received a light from the higher one through hearing alone. The union, however, does not seek a sign for what it resembles. In the wonder of his sign without thought of partnership, I received his message from the higher one, and no wrong dwells in me.

I was not disturbed and I became a mother, as you saw. She is preserved in my virginity, and I have a child, and behold, you see him. I do not know to what the partnership is similar. And behold, I have become a mother in the order of the virgins. I do not compare myself to the pains of women, to what they are like, except that I gave birth without knowing, in a holy manner. I did not see a man, and I received a child, not according to custom. I have no husband, and I have become a mother without a marriage. One Spirit sowed in me the annunciation of the one who fills the abyss. And without the movements of a man, I conceived while I was pure. I asked him where the place would be of the one who says "you," and he explained to me that the Spirit of Holiness would come to you. And the high power would overshadow you in a holy manner, and you would bear a child whose kingdom would have no end. With that voice, I received a child full of wonder, and I gave birth to a king, and I did not feel any pain, except you. I am oppressed by him; show me witnesses among my oppressors. Reveal his face and announce to him how much he has oppressed me. Come, the mighty ones, tell his story to the relatives, and cover him, so that those who know him may know that he is the son of God. Call him by his name to the people of the valley, so that perhaps he may hear, and he may perceive a little from your beautiful proclamations.

They say to her, the mother of the king, "Do not be disturbed: there is time for the whole world to bow before your child. Restrain your spirit until it is learned concerning his kingdom. And all the ends of the earth, their generations are astounded to speak. That day will come, and his crown will shine in the regions. And the peoples of the land and their judges will fall before him. You have time to see the altars that have been consecrated to him, and to know the side of the small house that is being raised up in him. You have time to see the ranks of peoples who fall before him and honor him with their offerings and their censers. After a little while, the earth will tremble at his names, and his tidings will fly over the regions and their inhabitants. Time will pass, and the world will be roused to speak of him, and his proclamation will run to all the ends to take hold. He will take the place where no man from among kings has perceived it, and all crowns will be cast down and bow before his honor. He will mount a step on which no man from among the mighty has stood, and he will tread down crowns and diadems of lordships. He will inherit a throne whose height no air can reach, and from him will tremble the high seats of rulers. After a time, his generations will be disturbed among the houses of peoples, and creation will tremble from the authority of that great king. A trembling fear will fall upon judges from his authority, and he will make the mighty kneel before him in their honors.

Above the crowns is set the sign of his manhood, and kings will be beneath his feet in their provinces. He moves the authorities of dominions in the regions, and from him thrones and their occupants tremble. He shines on the earth better than the sun in its strength, and other ends [of the earth] do not feel the measure of his authority. Mary says, "True is to me all that you have said, and there is no opportunity to dispute your words. I know that he is the son of the great and the truly great; I learned all from the angel when I received him. I have not seen his father, and I know that he is the lord of kings. His birth concealed him, and by his authority the world stands. At his sign all creatures and their inhabitants hang, and by him the ends of the earth and their occupants stand. The prophets testify concerning the birth of the son of God, and I am the virgin who conceived a child without marriage. In prophecy his story was sung openly, and now you have come to inquire about his kingdom. It is fitting for you to proclaim, for the people who have taken their eyes from understanding. It is for you to speak about my son and his kingdom, that they may be awakened from the dreams of the elders of the people. They are envious and do not accept that I have given birth to a king. They are drunk with error and do not perceive the future.

The heart of the people was prepared for him, as it is written. He strengthened his hands and made his fingers heavy from understanding. The Magi spoke: "It is fitting for you to observe: the bearers of his mystery have made you, the beloved king." The earth will be filled with your beautiful tidings, and the world will be stirred by the sweet voices of your acclamations. Go forth, the goodness of your offerings among the peoples, and fill creation with the new proclamation of your victories. The king will be adorned by your offerings, as you loved, and he will receive you, rejoicing in you, as you wished. Open to his father with your honors that were offered to him, and to his will be the hours that you brought to him. The labor of your distinctions was pleasing to his divinity, and he rejoiced in the beauty of your offerings that were placed before him. The king dwelt in the small house of the cave, and before him were heaped the treasures of kings and their offerings. His poverty made his hand rich with the wealth of the rulers, so that he might show that he is the hidden king of all dominions. In smallness and in greatness he was increased, over lowliness and over height he was exalted. In difficulty and in strength he was transformed, over humility and over kingship he was borne. Glory and shame, here and there, were stirred in him: the Son of God and the Son of Mary was being proclaimed.

In the lowly house of the daughter of the poor he was raised. And the mighty ones of the kings of Assyria he made to bow. He was spread among the people and not honored by the insiders. But the outsiders called and proclaimed him in their honors. The priests anointed him and did not bring him their tithes. The Magi worshipped him and brought their offerings before him. How much they thirsted for the praise that was fitting. And the daughter of the Chaldeans confirmed the worship that was owed. The servants of the king to the king, his messengers who came to the land. And from afar, with distinct gifts, he was honored. The scribes of the people who explained his lineage did not perceive him. And among the elect, his new tidings were proclaimed. Envy came and did not allow the king to be spread. And from the house of the ranks, a messenger called to establish his way. The Magi brought and were offering him their gifts. And in their worship, they paid him what was his, without diminishment. The star, in its terror, filled the peoples with proclamation. That the glory of the son was not diminished by a single form. Until where the child was, it is written that he came. It is as if he stood there at the door, vigilant. He left his height and arranged his vigilance in the depth. To his lord, it is as if he mounted and descended toward the lowly.

After the Lord, the servants who listened to him ran. Also the angels, also the watchers, bowed to his honor. After the king, all the armies run. And wherever he halts, there his legions stand. The Lord of heights descended to the depth from the side of his father. And the ranks of height began to run after his footsteps. The angels descended and began to bow, also the watchers. The earth was a gift to heaven from his birth. When he descended, he brought down with him from the high ones. And when he ascended, he raised up with him from the low ones. He brought down the spirit and raised up the body, and the two were perfected. This is the son of man, and for many he made God. This is from the woman of flesh, who became from the Holy Spirit. Two births he has, the son, and two also for us. Born from the father, a birth that is high from understanding. And again from Mary, a new birth full of wonder. Since he is God, his birth was corporeal. In the body of a man, who became a man without change. In a pure body and a rational soul, and a perfect mind. He came forth from a womb that renewed everything in his birth. He put on limbs for his covering, and this is from him. That he might also put on for us spirit and power and become from him. In his second birth, he taught us what and how. That another birth is necessary also for us to be renewed in him.

The womb of the second baptism became and gave birth. And this is a true birth from that bodily one. To the spring of waters goes the old man of days, And he becomes a child in the new birth of baptism. When the birth of man was true from the side of Adam, From God by spirit and water in the beginning. Show that the mother of birth has no mother, for from the Lord: Spirit in her and she gave birth, and her births become. The womb of Eve is flesh, she gave birth from union, And baptism is spirit and life without change. In his own person the Lord of death shows us, that he may teach us, That he came to birth when he was old in his nativity. Baptism became for him, Mary and the font are perfect, And in humanity came forth the divinity, and man became. He received body from Mary holily, That against the sufferings he might set his path, to bear and to go. The old man of days showed the birth in his new birth, That the elders might learn the way to come to nativity. How can the old man not turn back To the womb of his mother and be born again after his time? From water, nor from spirit, does this happen. Our Lord explained the mystery that he might learn from him. As his birth by the virgin Mary bodily, He gives birth to the elders the mystery of life spiritually.

Mary of the second is for us the baptism. And in the perfect birth which is true, she is the mother. The virgin gave to our Lord a body, and he became a man. And baptism filled with spirit, and it is gods. Two mothers for us and for our Lord there are new ones. For our Lord, Mary; for us, our baptism. He who is spiritual made the bodily one a mother. And for us, bodily mothers, the spirit placed so that she might give birth to us. Take the body and receive the spirit from our mothers. For every child, his mother clothes him in her form. This path the king laid down for the earth. And he came and brought and went and led as of a hearing. When his armies descended, the watchers and the vigilant ones. And when he ascended, the apostles accompanied him, and the disciples. Without a body he came, and bodily he ascended. He let go and took, and after both he wounded his path. The king descended, then, and settled his dwelling among the poor. And armies withdrew from his place against his honor. Angels came from the house of the Father to announce. Peace and hopes to the world in the birth of the Son of God. The vigilant ones ran and gave a sign to the regions. That the ends of the earth might see his terror in their honors. His messengers commanded the land of Persia, which was dark. And to the darkness there they proclaimed his might manfully.

Without custom its course ran over the heights, and not by nature did the elements serve it. The star and the watcher, and also the angels, descended for his honor. And at every place where it halted, they stood there to serve. It halted in Mary, and gave her greeting, the chief of the angels. He went up to the cave, and the watchers filled it with their praises. He went out to the desert, and for his service the angels ran. He went up to the tomb, and the watchers with him descended for his honor. At every place where the king's command was established, his legions toiled. And wherever it halted, the ranks of his armies stood. Toward the poor little house he went up and alighted. And the star ran and stood over his door like a firmament. The great lights abandoned their ranks without custom, and the door of its lord became heavy with its great light. Come with them to where the child is, for it is now clear that into the depth he descended like his lord. The king and the fear descended into the depth toward the lower ones, that soul and body might ascend to the height toward the higher ones. He stood at the door of the king, his fear like a lamp, and like a lampstand he led the magi who entered toward him. His great light overcame the boundaries of magic, that the kings who came to his own might approach him.

They opened their treasures and brought to him their offerings: gold, myrrh, and also frankincense, separately. The king who was born was honored by the magi. And with offerings they worshipped him and rejoiced, being glad. And when they came to Herod, they showed him the night, in the sixth hour, its course on a path it would not travel. The silence of the night taught the magi, who did not pursue it, and it led them to a place of dreams to instruct them. Clearly, concerning the teaching that commanded them, that not even in the sixth hour were they revealed from the stars. A dream was revealed to them, openly, the mystery that Herod had done everything in secret because of the king. It taught them about his wickedness, how he had plotted, and what cause he had stirred up against the child if he saw him. It showed them his deceit and also the thoughts of his bitterness, that he was not prepared to worship but to kill. It made them wise as to how to escape from the one who bore him, and that if they learned from them where the slaughter was to take place. The deceit of the king was scattered before the magi, and they drove it away, so that the king of kings might be born in peace. What the king had plotted, the dream revealed to the magi clearly.

How powerful was the king, hidden, and no one perceived. The vision of the night revealed his secret before many. In the chamber of the bed, the splendor of the king was revealed. And the power that he exercised in the house of visions was spoken of. In the night, in his dream, his hidden things came to light. His secret came forth, and the affair was left unfinished. The king did not reveal his secrets to the sons of his secret, but he was revealed in a dream, his power and his being were a mockery. When no one had entered to learn his mysteries, all his hidden things were proclaimed on the rooftops. While the guards were locking his doors with vigilance, the word went forth from the king's house, and they did not perceive it. The dream went forth and brought out what was in the house of Herod. And the powerful king was mocked before the distant ones. From the revelation of the night, a quiet one was being accused. And before the wall of sorcery, he was being revealed. The magi changed their path and turned away from the king's house. And they mocked Herod, who had been so powerful. Even in this, the good news of the Son was being spread. And on the roads of the whole world, it was being proclaimed. They went up by one road and proclaimed concerning the king. And when they descended again by another road, they sang his praises.

They filled the earth with the new tidings from their words. As they ascended, so also they descended from the side of the king. They recounted his story upon all the roads of the whole world: that they ascended together and descended together while meditating upon him. By two paths they multiplied and told of his kingdom: that richly the earth perceived their approaches. On the other path, the dream had come and they descended, and to Herod they multiplied his madness, which was all a dream. The powerful king remained while they were amazed at his power, and his way was proclaimed through a proclamation that was being interpreted. The passage that is fitting, which is called the slaughter of the infants, or rather the commemoration of the martyrs, then the watchman said to Joseph after these things: "Arise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt." The king was prepared, who stirred up a disturbance against the child, and he did not reach the time to endure sufferings as was fitting. In the face of slaughter and sacrifice, his countenance was set. For not now, but at his time when it is pleasing to him. He was prepared to receive the sword and the lance that came upon them. He did not die, but the work of his way was completed. For death he was prepared, but he does not drink his cup of days. Arise, give place to the sword that is hidden and covers him. It was not in secret that he suffers the pains of sacrifice. Openly he is sacrificed before the eyes of many, that he might save the dream.

Not by the sword does he come to death, like a weakling. In the height he is hung, that the worlds might see his valor. Not by the king's entire army does he die, mysteriously. The whole people hungers for him and is troubled. Not by the hand of the mother is the child a sacrifice. On the high head he bears sufferings manfully. Not secretly does he come to slaughter from Herod. To the feast of all creatures he comes and terrifies them. Flee, days, there is no one who fears from Herod. But that he might give place to the sword that did not strike him. He went and journeyed to the land of Egypt gently. And when the king's anger subsided, he returned to Judah. To his land he goes, not to the region does he pass. In his form he walks, and one path was for him the regions. Joseph did as he was commanded by the angel. And he took all his burden to Egypt like a fugitive. The Lord rode on a cloud with the virgin full of power. That he might descend and journey to the land of Egypt, which was pure. He was borne on a cloud, the child, and descended. To the sick land that was dark with idolatry. The Savior saw the idols of Egypt and they trembled from him. And they fell from before him as was proclaimed in prophecy. The lion's cub looked at the foxes and terrified them. And they were scattered that they might fall before him like weaklings.

The darknesses saw the great light and hid from it. And with its rays it was pursuing them from the regions. The fullness of the light put on a body and went forth to the place. To the tremblings that are in it, it kindles from the lands. The pillars trembled, the erring ones of the idols of all Egypt. From the one who came to break the idols by his crucifixion. All the ranks of the altars were shaken. From the chief of the priests who came to the sacrifice and abolished the idols. The truth came to trouble the statues and stirred up the idols. And when he does not hear, he sings about the fall of the idols. And as many as are spoken of from the priesthood, to the idols of Egypt, which were strong in their worship. The worshippers fell, they cried out in the temples. The one who came to him, the worshipper, give him place and stand on his own. Or the shards, clear the place for the Son of God. The forms of their error descended from the height of your temples. The statues, swords that were snares for their worshippers. They descended to destruction, do not again go forth to destroy. Flee, weaklings, from the hero who comes against you. Do not again stand in the place of the king who has now arrived. The servants who took the name of God and cast it to the ground. Behold, the one who works, he has come from his place to scatter you. The spirit went forth to extinguish the stars from the lands. Flee, tremblings, from the whirlwind, the lord of the ends.

And the dawn of the worship of idols trembled before the mighty one. The ranks of images on the high place were scattered. The king went forth over the lands of the desert regions. And the worship of the Magi began to be disturbed in its courses. The light went forth to slay the darkness of the world. And from every side it was hunting it wisely. To Babylon it sent a star of light to go against it. And it descended to the land of Egypt to be disturbed by it. Here and there it cast Egypt throughout the whole world, so that the whole creation would be gathered to the bosom of life. On the two sides, in their bitter persecutions, it began the work of the magus, and with his teaching it sweetened them. To the daughter of the Chaldeans, by the thread of light, it led her and she came. And it brought down her sorcery to the master of the magi in his station. It began to subdue magic and sorcery, so that all the knots of iniquity were loosed from both of them. It mounted the cause of flight; it fled from Herod. And it brought down her to Egypt, so that her bitterness might be dissolved. If not, the work of the magus would have been prepared for the land of Egypt. For why did it not flee to Babylon of the Medes with its messengers? It loosed the way of one side by the star of light, and fled to the other, after which hope was sown.

To one it sent forth, and with offerings it came to his honor. To another at his feet it performed its service humbly. To one it showed its power in its great fear; to another, however, the humility of flight it fled. To one region it sent a star over its affairs; and to another place it made a sign that it would flee there. The forces of the height were terrified at its paths, and the house of its ways took up its fleeing course. It moved the cherubs and shook them to flee from the Son of Man. It confused creation, and the house of its ways was being disturbed. It gave place to its corporeality, yielding ground, until it grew in the order of man, and then it felt. It fled from the sword, not that it might completely destroy it, but it kept its own humanity intact. It gave a complete standing to the pains when it set its face, and because of that it fled from them while it was still giving birth. The governance of its body kept it from being confused, and for its upbringing it set a sacrifice to stand over its own. Its activity, however, did not cease from the good things, for even when it fled, in its own way it was being useful. To the sick land it ministered with mercies that it might be healed, and to the gods of the region it called for destruction.

to his birth it descended, to the humility of his service. It was urgent over the children who were slain. To the land of Egypt, where Moses his servant hid, it went to complete the image of the mysteries that were inscribed for him. But Satan was contending with Herod, that the king's way be cut off by the sword from good things. He saw the injustice that the magi of Persia had wrought in him, and he was enraged because of the child the slain had caused. He saw that he did not know what king was offering with him, and over the whole camp he was determined to destroy it all. He thought that within the order a great commander of the army was hidden, to lay waste the whole and bring death, as was known. The head was hidden from him in the great one and was not revealed; it would swallow the whole, and behold, it was swallowed up with his legions. He went up to the aid and did not distinguish any man from the pains; the sword would go out and with them die with many. He did not know David who was offering with the hero, that to another place he would go and plunder him. The king was equal to him for Egypt because of his action, and Herod remained enraged over the deed. The lion's cub was boasting in the thickets of Egypt, and the sly fox was being prepared for his destruction. He went and pitched his tent in the land of Egypt, and the bird of Judah was flying over him, that he might be put to death.

The king, cruel and mighty, performed a deed, and it did not avail him. He began openly to set up a side for battle. He saw that he was mocked by the messengers of his own envoys who had passed by. And he resolved to destroy also the king who had come against him. The raging king arrayed for battle with the newborn. He began to destroy the children of Bethlehem, while they had not sinned. He sent the sword against Bethlehem, the village of the king, to slay all the youths who were within its borders. From two years old and under they were being slain, like that sacrifice which Jacob learned from the messengers. Two magi had come up to the land of Judah for the two years. And when they were asked by Herod, they revealed this. From when they had received the fear of the king, the house of the watchers, they settled in Jerusalem in the second year with their honors. And when Herod began to destroy the children of the land, from two years old and under he began to slay them. The summer made a new battle, and it was a spectacle, for he summoned the slaughter of the children of the year to the destruction of the infants. A mass of children was heaped up in the land of Judah, and instead of the king who had come into the world, they were being slain. They were new martyrs for the son as they were being slain, and in their sufferings they pointed out the way of the son's death.

The beloved children of the feast of the wicked one were made to mourn. And they brought to him what was first from their necks. The wretched ones of the belly of pains gave birth to sorrow. They who were serving the king anointed with oil in their struggles. This one, their chief, drew a sword for the madman and took sorrow. And sorrow struck the stone of the sword and sorrow was crushed. The wailing of the mothers who saw the sword of their sons. By the command of the cruel king they were being slain. Wailing women cried out over their infants, the firstborn. For he was a boar and trampled them over their necks. In the fields of the house of Abraham the shepherd-like. The cold descended and came from them to their hours. The voice of Isaac gave forth from his distress. For a wolf was tearing apart the lambs of his beloved ones. A multitude of pains was heard against the daughter of Jacob. She saw her sons being slaughtered by Herod. Rachel wept when she saw her sons, that they were no more. And Jeremiah cried out and heard her voice in the caves. A voice on high the great weeping prophet heard. Rachel weeping and not ceasing, unwilling to be comforted. To the curse, O Rachel, daughter of Laban. Mother of Joseph, whose father wailed over his struggle. Old Jacob was unwilling to be comforted. As much as he thought that Joseph was slain by the soldiers.

Nor was the lamentation silent over the wailing. As long as it was fitting that the king be slain with the children. Egypt is a place of refuge for the saviors of the people. And when it was heard that the slain had returned to life, they were alive in her. Joseph lived in Egypt and made mourning for his father. And he did not wish to be comforted over his beloved. There Tamar set up the flight of her lord from Herod. And Rachel weeping, for her slain were with the children. The elder said to her, "Be still, for there is a reward for your tears." As a man would say, "The king is alive, do not grieve for yourself. Behold, in Egypt is the storehouse of abundance that awaits you." The lord of Joseph, who also rejoiced for his father there. The hidden mysteries were completed, the descent of the Lord into Egypt. For the father called his son from Egypt in haste. And when the king was pursuing his way among the Egyptians, the children of Judah were being slain because of him. Herod left behind all the kings that were in his borders. And with the children he arrayed a battle to contend. The children of Zion stood before him, their whole being. And he drew his sword against the fair ones and cut them down. To the side of the king, the wicked one destroyed, and it did not pain him. The help of that one was cut off from the righteous.

The youths arrayed themselves with Herod and contended with him. And they prevailed, for they did not surrender to the chief of the army. They set up a side and died, all of them, from the couch. And they did not know where the king was, that he might be swallowed up. O Herod, how did the children of the people reproach you? It is a tumult of the age that with infants you do battle. You boast over the slaughter of those at the breast. And your side from the couch of the king who did not die is hidden from you. The youths triumphed in the age, and your victory shall be a disgrace, for the head of the company was not shaken from the foundation. The warriors died, but the sinner did not die, who was not of his time. The support was swallowed up, and the lord of the feast was not troubled. The sinner went, dragging Egypt with him, that she might come with him. And the sword ruled over all his youths until he came. The feast of blood came to be made in the land of Judah. And the children of the region were prepared to be punished. For what are the beloved ones upon the feast instead of the Romans? For the whole feast in blood is divided from the beginning. Slaughter was made at the banquet mysteriously. And when the cup of joy came, he cast it down. The mystery went out, he plucked the clusters from the wombs, and from them he pressed new wine for the sinful king.

The virgin’s light was gathering the virgins to him. With the blood of a virgin he stained his sword and his sacrifice. The noble ones were cut down for the noble one, while they did not know the way, and the innocent blood was being spilled. The king commanded the sons of the year and the sons of two, that within his borders the sword should go out and destroy. The sword was loosed for slaughter upon the infants, and without mercy they were being destroyed wherever they were. The command went out, and with it the sword of Herod’s house, to pass through the children of the land and kill them. Many were the questions, because males from the slayers, and without pity upon their mothers, were being killed. The executioners of Herod’s house went out into the land, and they stained the earth with the abundant blood they shed. The sword was pressed upon the necks of the pregnant women, and it emptied them of their fruits, which were miscarried. They shed blood and filled the womb of the mother, and she died from the fear of seeing the sword upon her beloved ones. There was an infant who, when the sword came upon him, stained his mother with blood and milk, who had miscarried him. There was one upon whose breast they severed his head on the neck of his mother, and from sleep to death he went in great silence.

There are those who took the blood of the mother of the erring one for themselves, and shed his blood, and the rest of the beloved ones remained. The silent martyrs, who when they were covered, did not speak, for they had preserved the great silence of that Redeemer of all. The simple ones, upon whom the sword came, went forth, and they did not know to ask the sword on whose account. The oppressed, who saw a small light and were not sated by it, that the sword of the power of the wicked king might pass by. The confessors, who when they were killed did not speak, but in silence before the confessor they were stretched out. The confessors, who instead of words showed deeds, and without a sign cast down the tale of faith. The priests, the holy ones, who never knew clothing, and instead of vestments they brought their blood before God. The chosen lambs, who were given to the confessor, and when they were silent they were killed because of the shepherd. The youths, before whom the sword came from the wicked ones, and instead of the king who came to his own, they were covered. The workers, who went out to meet the way of the cross, and from their sufferings they washed it with the blood that was fitting for him. The perfect sacrifices, who were offered without any blemish, and in purity instead of the high priest they were poured out.

The silent ones who in the land of Judah did not know how to speak, and the sword was drawn over them by the wicked. The youths who began on the path of the world to be slaughtered, and the sword overtook them and cut their limbs. The children who died without knowing why, but he knew, for whose sake they were being killed. The sons of the sea of the king who was born, who stood with him and endured sufferings for his sake from Herod. The sword and the fire went out against the hidden one and destroyed them for the sake of the one who came to cast fire into the whole world. It was pleasing to them when they suffered for his sake, that they placed their blood in the neighborhood of his birth. The path of sufferings he laid down for himself to walk upon, and whenever the one who came to the child, the sword met him. In the years of his birth, the sword ruled, so that the path of blood would not cease from the arena. The beloved youths went out to her streets until the king of sufferings came to walk upon her. The slain ones were a sign to him of the son, the children of the place, and he sent them to guard the place of crucifixion. To his place of death he sent them when they were killed, so that they might announce that the king was coming to the house of the prepared ones. And as these things are said by the Savior about the children who were silent on the path before him of crucifixion.

They went and said to the wicked king, "Behold, I am coming. And when you have feared, your rebellion will be brought to an end in the land of your wickedness. I am coming, for I am on the path of the living, casting down to you. And I will release you from the dominion of your wickedness. I have little time to accomplish what has been decreed. And after that, I will come to you manfully. You have greatly delayed the coming of the living through your rebellion. And behold, through that very living which you have conquered, I will conquer you. The place is sufficient for the lives that have entered your prisons, for behold, I am coming and will break the ranks that have been imprisoned for you. The children went and remained there in the place of Sheol until I come and destroy it from its foundations. Behold, I will soon overtake you in the house of darkness and will kindle for you a great light so that you may be united in it. Go, wait for me within the tomb filled with the dead, and I will not delay; I will overturn it so that it will never rise again. Strike from the world and remove from the bed of all generations, and what you have begun I will stir up for you with many. Before me, a little while on the path of the living until I come, and through crucifixion I will complete it so that I may comfort you. Enter, count me in the great multitude of the cities of the nations, and when I am living, I will cry out in it and it will fall entirely.

They went in the captivity with the many whom death led. And behold, I am coming; I will break his bow and turn his arrows. The youths were laughing at him with the sword while being slain. For the path of the king was being trodden from their sufferings. They laughed at death, not knowing its taste. For they did not grieve when being slaughtered for the sake of the righteous one. The infants stood up and were being entertained with the sword. The youths, in death, did not perceive the bitter one. The sword wove a crown of youths from Bethlehem. For the idolatrous king, who came in likeness, and will warm all. They took their blood as a first offering and brought it before him. So that it might be honored that the innocent one was victorious through the blood of the pious. Be for me, O Lord, a slayer of youths, a pure first-fruit. And open through it the world that has ascended beyond forgiveness. Take the scepter in the births of the Church that is held in you. And remove from her stumbling blocks, schisms, and divisions. Seal her high gates with your cross against the intruders. And let the confused heresy not enter her from the outsiders. Let your scepter stand upon her desolate corners. And let your love mix its wine within her, and let her be gladdened by it. Let your peace guard her gates with vigilance. And whoever comes, let the scepter find him and tread down her threshold.

The mighty power of the rulers shall be humbled in her, and she alone shall take the land as a mistress. Kings shall tread in the high heel of your crucifixion, and lords shall pierce the arrow of the arrow in the circle. The ranks shall be arrayed in her for glory and not for freedom, and from her shall rise the voice of praise and not of lamentation. The high ones who seized the regions shall be bent in her, and dust shall cover the cheeks of their sons from her expectation. Your cross shall be a great sign over her desire, and all her ends shall cover their honors toward her. The oppression of all kings shall be bent in her sweetness, and by the mighty ones of the world she shall serve her servants. Her little ones shall take the regions by their conduct, and all authorities shall obey her authority. The lords of the world shall be servants who obey her, and all dominions shall kiss the dust of her feet. Her horn shall be raised over judges and their authority, and the heads and their provinces shall be a footstool for her feet. The ends and kings of the world shall take hold in her and be bound, and all the crowns of all rulers shall kiss her heels. She shall cast her arrow upon the shoulders of the mighty, and the sign of the cross shall be placed with love upon their necks. Her ranks shall extend over the regions and shall bind the islands, and all provinces shall take hold in your name as a commander.

She shall set the mighty power of all the strong beneath her footstool, and their proud ones shall fall before her like a scatterer. She shall be in the world a mistress to kings and to judges, and as to servants she shall command them concerning her affairs. The fruits of the earth shall be a conquest for her glory, and for her service they shall stand as a beloved offering. Her wealth shall increase, her strength shall grow, her children shall rejoice, her horn shall be raised, her praise shall be abundant, her crown shall increase. Her bosom shall be filled, her branches shall put forth, her shoots shall tread, her mouth shall be opened, her voice shall be raised, she shall gladden the cities. She shall heal the sick, she shall bind up wounds, she shall cure pains. She shall be filled with virgins, she shall rejoice in the married, she shall delight in the priests. Seal her with your cross, and her children, of the chosen one in you. And may I also reach the haven of mercies and be healed in it. Completed: On that star which appeared to the magi and the slaughter of the infants.