Selections from “The Gospel of the Holy Twelve” by Reverend Gideon Jasper Richard Ouseley (vegetarian) – Chapters 4-5, Part 1 of 2

Today, it is an honor to present excerpts from “The Gospel of the Holy Twelve,” where we learn of the nativity of Lord Jesus Christ.

Chapter 4 Birth of Jesu-Maria, in a cave, in the midst of the animals. An Angel tells the Shepherds. The Presentation in the Temple. The Song of Simeon.

“[…] And behold it was filled many lights, bright as the Sun in His glory. And there were in the same cave an ox and a horse and a donkey and a sheep, and beneath the manger was a cat with her little [kittens]; and there, were doves also, overhead, and each had its mate after its kind, the male with the female. Thus it came to pass that He was born in the midst of the animals, which through redemption of man from ignorance and selfishness He came to redeem from their sufferings, by the manifestation of the sons and the daughters, of God.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And when they came, lo the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were extremely afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ, the Holy One of God.’ […]”

“And when eight days were accomplished, […] His name was called Jesu-Maria, as was spoken by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished they brought the child to Jerusalem, to present Him unto God (as it is written in the law of Moses, every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord).

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of God. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, he perceived the child as it were a pillar of light. Then took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

Now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou has prepared before the face of all people, to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.”