Locations - Bethlehem of Judea

Christ, Judas, John and Simon have arrived in Bethlehem, near Rachel's tomb. They are approached by a local woman, who learns that Jesus has come to bring his Mother's salvation to some people in Bethlehem. She invites him to her home, and her husband welcomes them. But there is strong hostility towards the Messiah, as the massacre of the Innocents has taken place and left deep wounds among the people of Bethlehem. The Nativity shepherds, in particular, are hated by the locals, and the man who receives them is convinced that they let themselves be duped thirty years ago. So he curses the shepherds and the Magi, and blames himself for their credulity at the time. Jesus points out, however, that cursing is not permitted, as it is contrary to the commandment of love, and asks him if he is sure that his judgment is right, since the shepherds and magi may have told them the truth. He speaks of biblical prophecies - the Most High having anticipated the Savior's coming in an excess of love - and in particular mentions the star and the predictions in the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. His host recognizes him as a rabbi, but when Jesus wants to know where the shepherds Elijah and Levi are, he becomes openly hostile, as Jesus enjoins him not to hate them and declares that the Messiah has indeed been born here.

Judas then gets on his high horse, but Jesus calms him down and the group leaves. A little further on, the Iscariot explodes and would have liked Jesus to be worshipped, but he doesn't want to reduce to ashes all those who sin against him.

Finally, Jesus takes them to the place of his birth, the grotto in Bethlehem. John and Simon are moved, Judas is disgusted at first, but is then overcome by emotion. And Jesus tells them the story of his birth...

Jesus is in Bethlehem with John, Judas and Simon the Zealot. They go into the town itself, as Christ wants to show them where the three kings greeted him. Then Judas shows his practicality and uses trickery to obtain information about Anne of Bethlehem, who had given shelter to the Holy Family. He passes off the apostolic group as Judeans from Jerusalem, and the innkeeper, a man named Hezekiah, tells them about the massacre of the Innocents and the death of Anne. Jesus goes to visit the ruins, then speaks to the people of Bethlehem. But when he speaks of his Mother and the Messiah, they become openly hostile. The crowd becomes agitated and throws stones, but Jesus is unable to appease them or comfort their pain. In a heroic gesture, Judas protects Jesus and the group withdraws. So the Savior doesn't insist, and decides to go and meet the shepherds at the Nativity.

Chapter title: In Bethlehem, Mary recalls the birth of Jesus.

Date of vision: Tuesday, July 3, 1945.

Calendar: Thursday, April 6, 28 (Nissan 24, 3788)

Location (map): Bethlehem

Cycle: Apostolate in Judea

Summary: The apostolic group goes to Bethlehem with the women disciples. Peter reveals his desire to go to the grotto of the Nativity with Mary. It is quickly agreed that the Virgin will tell them her memories of Jesus' birth, which she does with great emotion. The Mother of the Lord recounted where they had stopped, and the state she and Joseph were in. Joseph was worried, but the All-Pure One was burning with love for God. They stopped by Rachel's tomb before setting off again. They met Elijah, who advised them where to stay, and then arrived in Bethlehem itself. The Virgin recounts her impressions of the town before heading for the grotto. She explains how a sleep fell over the Righteous One, and how she felt at Christ's birth. She was in ecstasy, and when she held Jesus close to her heart, she adored him, offered him to the Father, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and cared for him with Joseph. Mary tells of the arrival of the shepherds, and when asked what she did the next day, she explains that it was all very simple: she took care of her baby like any other mother. Mary of Alphaeus then pointed out that the Holy Family could have left later, for Les Encénies, but Mary knew that Jesus would be born there, and there was no question of waiting. What's more, for Joseph, it was a way of washing away every last trace of the suspicion he'd had against her, since the Scriptures had come true.

Peter is pleased with this account and explains that he will revere her as a Queen and be her slave. Jesus then intervenes, and after stating the Trinity, he explains that his Pontiff will have power where Mary will have love. He must always treat her as Queen, but without being a slave. The group then pauses, and while Mary speaks with the women, the apostles wonder if verses from the Song of Songs announce the promised Virgin. Christ then confirms that she has been spoken of since the beginning of the Book, and will continue to be spoken of in the books to come.

Judas then declares that the Word could not have humiliated Himself by subjecting Himself to the miseries of infancy. He could have come down to earth in flesh that was already adult, and had an adoptive mother like his putative father. The Master then declares that his real Incarnation was a just thing, and that heresies about his Incarnation will circulate. But he confirms that he is real flesh and that Mary is really the Mother of the Word made flesh. What's more, he confirms that he is eternally One with the Father and united with God as Flesh, for Love can do all things. His Incarnation is intended to make amends for all man's errors.

Chapter contents: 207.1: Mary recalls the past. 207.2: How Mary felt during the journey. 207.3: Rachel's tomb and the encounter with Elijah. 207.4: How the city of Bethlehem appeared to her. 207.5: Settling into the grotto. 207.6: The ecstasy of the birth. 207.7 : The visit of the shepherds. 207.8 : The next day, woman and adorer. 207.9: Peter and Mary: power and love. 207.10: Mary, the tree of redemptive fruit. 207.11: Judas would have liked a different birth. Discourse on the carnal reality of Jesus.

Previous edition: Volume 3, chapter 69

The Virgin speaks of the Nativity of her Son.