on this night the darkness of the air was changed as into the light of day; and at Rome a fountain of oil gushed out and flowed into the Tiber, in token that the Fountain of piety and mercy was born, and would confer grace and mercy upon all. And the Temple of Peace fell down. Now the Romans, having enjoyed continual peace for twelve years, built the Temple of Peace, wherein they set the image of Romulus, and they inquired of Apollo how long it would last. And they received as answer, "Until a virgin should bring forth, and remain a virgin." And thinking it impossible that a virgin should bring forth, they put up this inscription, "The Eternal Temple of Peace" (Templum Pacis Eternum). But on this night the said temple fell. On this night also the vineyards of Engaddi flowered and produced balsam, in token that He was born who should preserve all things, by the virtue of the stream of his blood.
4. The animals bare witness to Him. For when the virgin laid him in the manger, the animals which were there, i.e. the ox and the ass, bowed their knees to him. And many unhappy Christians to-day bend not their knees to Christ. Isai. i.: The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's manger, but Israel knoweth me not, and my people doth not understand," etc.[1]From an old catalogue of the Bibliotheca Uffen-
- ↑ Most or all of these stories are contained in the "Legenda Aurea," compiled by Jacobus à Voragine near the close of the 13th century.
