IV. The Cradle of the Infant Jesus
1. Enter once more with faith and love into the stable of Bethlehem. As soon as her Son has been miraculously delivered without any damage to her virginity, Mary adores Him and, with such maternal love as we could never conceive of, she takes Him to her heart. Joseph, kneeling in ecstasy at the sight, bows reverently and kisses the forehead of the Divine Infant. In this moment of bliss he is well rewarded for his unshaken faith and for all the sacrifices which he has made from his youth until the time of his alliance with Mary.
Now Mary and Joseph look around and, since they can find no better cradle for the Baby Jesus, they place Him upon some straw in a manger, and cover Him with a rough linen cloth. They have nothing else to give the Son of God, King of Kings, and Lord of the Universe, Who wishes at this early stage to present us with this wonderful example of humility and voluntary poverty. But each of them has one treasure to offer, for they offer and dedicate their hearts to Jesus. Mary's heart is only less beautiful and pure than that of our divine Redeemer, and St. Joseph's is similar to hers.
Jesus did not come to look for human wealth or greatness, but He came in search of men's hearts so that He might make them holy. Throughout the centuries there have been many generous-hearted people who joined with Mary and Joseph in loving Jesus and in dedicating themselves entirely to Him. Does your heart belong completely to Jesus?
2. Perhaps I still preserve a strong attachment to sin and fall badly from time to time. What is the main motive power in my life? Perhaps I am motivated by self-interest and am attracted by pleasure, ease, and worldly glory. How little I have learned from the example of Our Lord in the manger.
Let us remember that the man who looks only for worldly success cannot find Heaven. He will wind up bitter and disillusioned, whereas the man who seeks Jesus Christ will eventually enjoy the peace and happiness which God alone can give.
3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus Christ, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) Before He spoke these words, however, He had taught us the same thing in deed.
In the utter poverty of the stable in Bethlehem He tells us that riches, honours, and human grandeur cannot make us happy. We are entitled to accept these things if Providence bestows them on us, but we should not become attached to them. The human heart longs for God. It was not made for the transient pleasures and goods of this life, but only for God. In the presence of the Crib, therefore, let us learn to surrender ourselves heart and soul to Jesus Christ.
1. Enter once more with faith and love into the stable of Bethlehem. As soon as her Son has been miraculously delivered without any damage to her virginity, Mary adores Him and, with such maternal love as we could never conceive of, she takes Him to her heart. Joseph, kneeling in ecstasy at the sight, bows reverently and kisses the forehead of the Divine Infant. In this moment of bliss he is well rewarded for his unshaken faith and for all the sacrifices which he has made from his youth until the time of his alliance with Mary.
Now Mary and Joseph look around and, since they can find no better cradle for the Baby Jesus, they place Him upon some straw in a manger, and cover Him with a rough linen cloth. They have nothing else to give the Son of God, King of Kings, and Lord of the Universe, Who wishes at this early stage to present us with this wonderful example of humility and voluntary poverty. But each of them has one treasure to offer, for they offer and dedicate their hearts to Jesus. Mary's heart is only less beautiful and pure than that of our divine Redeemer, and St. Joseph's is similar to hers.
Jesus did not come to look for human wealth or greatness, but He came in search of men's hearts so that He might make them holy. Throughout the centuries there have been many generous-hearted people who joined with Mary and Joseph in loving Jesus and in dedicating themselves entirely to Him. Does your heart belong completely to Jesus?
2. Perhaps I still preserve a strong attachment to sin and fall badly from time to time. What is the main motive power in my life? Perhaps I am motivated by self-interest and am attracted by pleasure, ease, and worldly glory. How little I have learned from the example of Our Lord in the manger.
Let us remember that the man who looks only for worldly success cannot find Heaven. He will wind up bitter and disillusioned, whereas the man who seeks Jesus Christ will eventually enjoy the peace and happiness which God alone can give.
3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus Christ, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) Before He spoke these words, however, He had taught us the same thing in deed.
In the utter poverty of the stable in Bethlehem He tells us that riches, honours, and human grandeur cannot make us happy. We are entitled to accept these things if Providence bestows them on us, but we should not become attached to them. The human heart longs for God. It was not made for the transient pleasures and goods of this life, but only for God. In the presence of the Crib, therefore, let us learn to surrender ourselves heart and soul to Jesus Christ.
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