Jesus and the Child of Grace

In an old vineyard When Jesus was just a lamb His coat eight years old Working with the chaste Joseph His father and guide As the beloved Mary Kneeled and prayed to God In their small and humble home A visitor came Golden and shining brightly Like beams of sunlight Shooting through the home’s window Shooting from heaven Shooting down from the clear heights Mary beheld him Thinking he was her young son Putting off his coat With gentleness the child said “Where is dear Jesus My dear brother and brave twin I want to meet him” Mary never responded In fearful blindness Thinking he was a phantom From the lightless depths Rather than light from the heights She seized his right arm And tied his arm to the foot Of the worn, torn bed Not wishing to scare her more He remained at peace Not saying a single word During this event Jesus held an empty branch Observing the wood As if it were a mirror Soon he heard Mary Jabbering in confusion With tears raining down In this dim storm of wailing Jesus heard the words Breaking through the whirling clouds “A phantom has come Dressed in golden apparel Dressed in bright lightning Saying “Where is dear Jesus My twin and brother I desire to see him” Joseph please help me” Only Jesus saw the light And heard the thunder For he had wise eyes to see And had ears to hear He proclaimed with holy strength “Mother, where is he So that I may see the light Or should I wait here Waiting for the bright sunlight To break through this storm” Jesus said these words in joy Joseph was startled Mary wiped away her tears They entered the house And found the spirit at peace Still bound to the bed Both the parents looked at him Then looked at Jesus And found them to be the same Mary walked further And unloosed the child angel He bowed to Mary He and Jesus said no words For they were brothers They hugged with their gentle arms Gave a holy kiss The angel child disappeared For he and Jesus Became one white pearl of light Thus the empty branch Bloomed with delicious almonds Bloomed with holy life Thus this town was sanctified Crowned with golden, shining grace Poem based on the account from the ancient apocryphal book The Pistis Sophia, Chapter 61.