THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
“And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger; because there was not any room for them in the inn” (Luke 2, 6-7).
First Prelude: Behold the uncomfortable, poor, and unworthy cave in which Mary and Joseph are forced to seek shelter. It is midnight and profound silence reigns about.
Second Prelude: O Divine Saviour, I will contemplate Thy birth; let me realize this mystery of Thy love, that I may love Thee more ardently and follow Thee more perfectly.
First Point
THE NEW-BORN SAVIOUR
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people” (Luke 2, 10), said the angel to the shepherds, announcing the birth of the Saviour.
What a vast field for contemplation! There lies a true Child of man, Who is at the same time the Son of God. He appears weak and helpless, and yet, He is the Eternal Word of Whom it is written: “In the beginning was the Word” (John I, 1). This Child is small—so small that the narrow crib gives Him sufficient room; but this little Child is at the same time the immeasurable, omnipresent God, Who fills heaven and earth. How poor is this Child, and still, this poor Child is the King of kings, of Whose empire there shall be no end, Who distributes the treasures of heaven and earth according to His good pleasure.
The almighty, eternal God, to Whose power everything is subject, has abased Himself and become a weak Child. What does all this signify? What drew the supreme Lord into the lowly stable, into the crib? Why has He humbled Himself so profoundly, abased Himself so completely? It was done out of love for you, to draw your heart to His, to excite you to return love for love.
Let us penetrate with the eye of faith, the tiny yet magnanimous Heart of this Child, our God. What fiery ardor do we behold therein! What is all the love of the seraphim compared with a spark of the love that burns in the Heart of this little Child for us poor sinners!
Behold, my soul, how the heart of the Christ-Child burns with love for you. Will you not finally begin to love Jesus, Who has so loved you? Love Him with all your heart. Offer Him today the hospitality of your heart and beg of Him that His tiny, love-inflamed Heart may inflame yours.
O Mary and Joseph, give me of the fire of your love, that I may celebrate this mystery in a worthy manner and with the angels join in the hymn of praise: “Glory to God in the highest!” Oh, what blessedness to be at the crib of the Saviour and realize the truth of the words: “I bring you tidings of great joy!”
As a religious, I have especial reasons for rejoicing at the crib of the new-born Saviour, for here He laid the foundation of religious life. Here He reveals to us the most perfect poverty, the most humble obedience, the most ardent charity;—here we find infinite purity and sanctity, and here it is that He wills to impart to us grace to follow Him steadfastly on the path of the evangelical counsels.
In spirit let us hasten to the crib of Bethlehem, there to renew our holy vows, and to offer ourselves as an oblation to the Infant Saviour. Then the peace which the angels announced will fill our hearts and we shall partake in the fullest measure of the graces and blessing which the Infant Saviour so gladly bestows on well-prepared hearts.
Second Point
THE FIRST ADORERS OF THE SAVIOUR
There we find, first of all, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of the new-born Saviour. Who can comprehend what passed in the heart of Mary, when for the first time she saw before her the Divine Child! She took Him into her blessed arms, offered Him as oblation to the Heavenly Father and presented Him to the blessed spirits for veneration. Her hands were the consecrated altar upon which, at His entrance into the world, He Who is the propitiation for our sins, immolated Himself.
It was Mary who first tendered to the Divine Child, in the name of all mankind, her profoundest adoration and the most heartfelt gratitude for the benefit of the Incarnation. No one comprehended so well as Mary the immense love of God in this stupendous mystery, accordingly her gratitude was most acceptable to God.
Must not this thought be the cause of our joy and happiness when we kneel at the crib, to offer our adoration and homage in union with hers, to the Infant Saviour?
On this sacred spot we find St. Joseph, too, who next to the Blessed Virgin is nearest to Jesus. With what sentiments of reverence may he have prostrated himself in humble adoration before the Divine Child! With what ardent love and heartfelt joy may he have taken the Divine Child in his arms and pressed Him to his heart! How were his thoughts and affections united with the Saviour; how happy was he in the possession of such a treasure!
Hosts of angels who had doubtlessly entered the cave with Mary and Joseph, sang hymns in adoration and praise of their Creator made Man. Who could stand back at such a time? Open your ranks, ye heavenly spirits, make way for me to the crib; for love of me the Word was made Flesh.
Well might the conviction of my unworthiness repulse me, but the Saviour, Whose goodness and affability as the Apostle says, “appeared today” (Titus 3, 4), invites the heavy-laden and burdened to come to Him that He may refresh them.
We will hasten, therefore, to the crib with confidence, kneel before the Divine Child in all humility, begging for a realization of the touching lessons and examples He here imparts to us.
Affections: O Divine Saviour, Who dost love the pure, the simple and the humble of heart, and callest such to Thy manger, behold, I give Thee my poor heart; infuse into it the virtues of Thy holy Childhood, that my whole life may redound to Thy glory, and I become worthy, in union with Mary and Joseph, and all the angels and saints, to thank Thee for all eternity for the inestimable benefit of the Incarnation.
O holy, mysterious night, so full of grace, in which the Eternal Word descended from His heavenly home and became Man! Rejoice and be glad with us, ye heavenly hosts, for the Almighty has worked an incomprehensibly great wonder.
The King of eternal glory has assumed the form of a servant, and appeared in this world as a delicate, tender, loving Child. The glory of His splendor illuminates the spiritual darkness.
He came, our sweetest Saviour, to make us children of God, for it is His pleasure to dwell among us. O Thou amiable, Divine Child, when I consider the incomprehensible love and mercy that induced Thee to assume our human nature, my heart overflows with joy, admiration, adoration and thanksgiving, and my lips must remain silent.
No tongue can worthily praise and extol the glory and grace of Thy holy Incarnation. Thou art the great God, the Prince of Peace, the heavenly Bridegroom of our souls. Thou art our Peace, our Salvation, our Bread of life.
What can we give Thee in this hour, other than the oblation of our good will, according to the angels’ bidding! We lay it, with the promise of our love and fidelity, at Thy feet. Strengthen and confirm in us the holy sentiments inspired by Thy grace.
O Mary and Joseph, in your midst let us lay at the feet of the Holy Infant our tribute of adoration and fervent love, singing with the angels: “Glory to God, in the highest!” (Luke 2, 14).
Praise and thanksgiving be to our Blessed Saviour, Who replenishes our souls with His divine peace!
Resolution: With heartfelt joy and gratitude, we will renew our vows and good resolves at the crib of the Divine Child.
Spiritual Bouquet: “This day is born to you a Saviour” (Luke 2, 11).
Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .
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