The Infancy Gospels of Mary & Jesus 
 
Step into the sacred history that shaped the early Church’s understanding of the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
Volume 19 in our Historical Studies in Church History brings together two essential early Christian writings: The Infancy Gospel of Mary and The Protoevangelium of James. Together, they form a continuous narrative—from Mary’s miraculous birth to the events surrounding Christ’s Nativity—offering a rich and reverent portrait of the Holy Family.
 
The Infancy Gospel of Mary tells the story of Mary’s conception by her elderly parents Joachim and Anna, her early consecration to the temple, and her holy upbringing. This short but powerful text reflects the deep early Christian conviction that Mary’s life was marked by divine grace from the very beginning. Her purity, obedience, and sanctity are emphasized in ways that laid the groundwork for Marian devotion in both Eastern and Western Christianity.
 
The Protoevangelium of James continues the story, recounting how Joseph was chosen to be Mary’s guardian, the discovery of her miraculous pregnancy, and the awe-inspiring events of Christ’s birth. It includes beloved traditions such as the journey to Bethlehem, the cave of the Nativity, the role of midwives, and the dramatic story of Zacharias, father of John the Baptist. Referenced by Church Fathers like Jerome and Epiphanius, this gospel was long treated as a reliable witness to sacred history. Even the Protestant Reformers—including Martin Luther and John Calvin—affirmed its portrayal of Mary’s perpetual virginity and never questioned the core historical claims of these texts.
 
This edition is based on the 19th-century translation by Archbishop William Wake, updated for clarity and readability while preserving the reverent tone and structure of the original. Unlike later apocryphal writings, these two infancy gospels were cherished by early Christians not for speculation but for their testimony to God's providence in the lives of Mary and Jesus.
 
Whether you are a student of Church history, a devoted Christian seeking to understand the roots of Marian devotion, or simply a curious reader, The Infancy Gospels offer a timeless glimpse into how the earliest believers remembered and honored the Mother of God.