NEUOFFENBARUNG← The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Contents
The cheerful morning meal. Joseph speaks on the goodness of the Lord. The Infant at the table. Delightful scenes between little Jesus and Cyrenius. 12 June 1844
01] As all were now seated at the dining table, the deliciously prepared fish was placed on the table,
02] and Cyrenius greatly wondered how Joseph could obtain such a quantity of fresh fish so early in the morning!
03] And Joseph pointed here to the huge Jonathan and spoke somewhat jokingly:
04] "See, if one has such a great fishing expert as friend, then one does not need to grasp far – and the fish are there!"
05] Here Cyrenius smiled and said: "Yes, you are undoubtedly right!
06] Truly, under such circumstances, one can always have fresh fish, and particularly when one also has Someone in his house!"
07] And hereupon Joseph raised his hand and spoke with a deeply touched heart:
08] "Yes, brother Cyrenius, – and particularly Someone, whom we will never be worthy of!
09] May He bless this good morning meal for us all, that it truly strengthens our bodies and our love for Him – the most holy One!"
10] This exclamation of Joseph's brought all the guests to tears and everyone praised the great God in the still sleeping Infant.
11] As they began to eat the fish at the end of the eulogy, the Infant awoke;
12] and the pleasant aroma of the fish at once told Him what was on the table.
13] He therefore quickly got out of His low cot, ran naked towards the table at which Mary sat, and asked for something to eat.
14] Mary immediately took Him in her lap and said to James: 15] "Hurry, and bring me a clean shirt from the room!"
16] And James at once did as Mary wished and brought a clean shirt.
17] On this occasion, however, the Infant did not want to be dressed.
18] This made Mary a little indignant and she said: "Look, my Child, sitting naked at the table is not proper;
19] hence I will be quite angry, if you do not allow yourself to be dressed!"
20] Cyrenius, moved to tears by the sight of the tender Infant, said to Mary:
21] "O dear, fairest mother, give me the Infant so that I can once more hold and cuddle Him completely naked!
22] Who knows if such infinite happiness will ever again be bestowed on me in this world!?"
23] And the Infant smiled at Cyrenius and demanded to go to him.
24] And Mary handed Him over to Cyrenius, who wept in joy and bliss, as the healthy Infant kicked about energetically in his lap.
25] And Cyrenius immediately asked Him, which piece of the fish He wanted to eat.
26] And the Infant spoke in a most childlike manner: "Give Me that white piece, which has no bones in it!"
27] And Cyrenius at once gave the Infant the best and perfect piece into His hands, and the Infant ate it happily and in utter contentment.
28] After He had eaten His full, He said: "That was good! – Now dress Me!
29] For when I am hungry, I want to eat first and wear clothes only afterwards!" – Thereupon the Infant did not say anything further and had Cyrenius quietly dress Him.