The Protevangelium of James tells the story of Mary born from Anna who was barren and gave her up to the temple (like Samuel) upon entering the temple she was handed food from the hand of an angel.

• 9 - When Mary was twelve years old the priests assembled and prayed to find out who could take Mary before she defiles the temple by coming into puberty. The men cast their rods down and prayed. When Joseph took up his a dove flew out of it and landed on his head. But he says he is and old man and already has children.
• 16 - The priest gave the water of the ordeal to Joseph and Mary but they remained unhurt. So no judgment was passed on them.
• 17-18 - Joseph took Mary and his sons with him to Bethlehem to be registered. Joseph found a cave for Mary to give birth in before they came into Bethlehem.
• 19 - The Infant Jesus just appeared after a bright light shone in the cave.
• 20 - The midwife, Salome, went to check to see if Mary was really still virgin, and her hand became severally burned. Then an angel appeared and she believed, then the angel healed her hand.
• 21 - The Magi were in Bethlehem before Joseph and Mary got there. The visited Jesus in the cave. (contradicting the Magi’s own account See: The Magi and Matthew 2:11)
• 23 - Herod thinking John the Baptist was the new born king tried to find him but could not so he murdered Zacharias, John’s father.
• 24 - The Clotted blood of Zacharias that was in the temple miraculously turned to stone.

• Origen 230 AD
• Commentary on Matthew 10.17 - Those who wish to preserve the honor of Mary in virginity to the end, say, basing it on a tradition in the Gospel according to Peter, as it is entitled, or "The Book of James," (Protevangelium Jacobi, c. 9) that the brethren of Jesus were sons of Joseph by a former wife, whom he married before Mary.