The Infancy Gospel of James is one of the books that didn't make it into the Bible as we know it today. The nativity story presented in this banned gospel is one you may not have heard before. It tells the backstory of Mary and her unique upbringing as a vestal virgin in Herod's Temple in Jerusalem, and her betrothal to a much older widower when she was twelve. And then the load of trouble she found herself in after she became miraculously pregnant at 16 with Jesus. While not a "gnostic" gospel per se, this book does present very interesting Christian material you probably have never heard before.
I read The Infancy Gospel of James yesterday on my Gnostic Insights podcast. Pop over for a listen! It's my Christmas present to you! Here's the link to the podcast webpage, or you can have a listen using your favorite podcast app.
The Infancy Gospel of James: Mary and the Birth of Jesus – Gnostic Insights
Cheers!
cyd
