babylon 5

I saw the Boy Jesus bringing water...

from the well for His Mother for the first time. 

Mary was in prayer when the Boy slipped to the well with a bottle, and brought it back full of water. Mary was unspeakably affected when she saw Him coming back with the water. She knelt down and implored Him never to do that again, for He might fall into the well. But Jesus replied that He would take care, and that He wanted to render her that service whenever she needed it. 

If Joseph happened to be working at a little distance from home, and did he leave a tool lying behind him, I used to see the Boy Jesus running after it and bringing it to him. The Boy noticed everything. I think the joy that Mary and Joseph experienced on His account, must have outweighed all their sufferings. 

Though perfectly childlike... 

He was very wise, skilled in everything. 

He knew and understood everything. 

I often saw Mary and Joseph filled with unspeakable admiration.

When the Boy Jesus took to their owners the covers embroidered or woven by His Mother, who hoped to receive bread in return for her work, I often saw Him teased [geplaagd] at first, and consequently sad. 

But after a while, the Holy Family was very much loved by the people. I saw other children giving Jesus figs and dates, while many of their elders sought the Holy Family for help and consolation. All in trouble said, “Let us go to the Jewish Child.” 

I saw the Boy going on all kinds of errands [boodschappen], even to a Jewish town a mile distant, to get bread in exchange for His Mother’s work. The wild animals, numerous on His route, did Him no harm. On the contrary, they and even the serpents showed Him affection. 

Once I saw Him going with other children to the Jewish town. 

He was weeping bitterly over the degradation of the Jews.

When He went for the first time alone to that Jewish town, He wore, also for the first time, the brown robe woven by Mary. It was trimmed around the border with yellowish flowers. 

I saw Him kneeling and praying on the way. 

Two angels appeared to Him and spoke of Herod’s death. 

But He said nothing of it to His parents.

~bron~