Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/38

xxxiv i.e. the deity, are conjoined together, and are made one sun, one man Jesus Christ. Also, on this day there appeared at Rome, a golden circle round the sun, in which circle was a most beautiful maiden, in whose lap was a child. And it was told the emperor that that child was greater than he. Now when the Romans wished to adore Octavianus Cæsar as a god, because he presided over the whole world in peace, the emperor refused, saying, I wish to know first whether anybody greater than I shall ever be born. And he called the Sibyl, who, while he was occupied with prophecies on the natal day of Christ in the chamber of the emperor, saw the aforesaid circle and the maiden nursing the child in her lap; all which things the Sibyl showed to the emperor, saying. This child is greater than thou. And straightway a voice was heard in the chamber of the emperor in the capitol, Here is the altar of heaven.

Wherefore until this day the aforesaid chamber, which is now a church, is called St. Mary altar of heaven (Sancta Maria Ara Celi). Now the emperor immediately put off his diadem and worshipped that child, and thenceforth refused to be worshipped by men.

On this night when the Lord was born there appeared in the East a star in which was a child having a cross on his forehead, and he spake to the Magi, saying, that they were to go into Judea to worship Him that was born King of the Jews.

3. All the elements bore witness unto Him; for