CHRIST, A LITTLE ONE.

"Whoever is a little one, let him come to me." (Prov. 9:4)

I.

Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah: "A little one is born to us, and a son is given to us" (Is. 9:6); and the corresponding words of the Gospel: "You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger." (Luke 2:12) Thus does the Lord of Majesty delight in the name of a little one; and, that He might gratify this delight, He reduced Himself almost to nothing. Contemplate this Little One in His crib; and remember that it is that Being "who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and weighed the heavens with a span; who hath poised with three fingers the bulk of the earth, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." (Is. 40:12)

II.

This Little One will be spiritually born in your soul this day, by Holy Communion, if you will prepare Him a crib in Bethlehem, that is, "in the house of bread." He appeared to mankind first clothed in flesh; but now He communicates Himself to you under the form of bread, in order to impart to your soul the living bread of immortality. Approach, then, this Divine Mystery in such a manner that this Little One may again be born in your heart; and convince yourself that this will be the case, if you begin to lead a life conformable to His own; if you love nothing but what He loved, so that you may be able to say, with the Apostle: "I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me." (Gal. 2:20)

III.

In order that you may enjoy this Little One, you must become such a one yourself. "Amen, I say to you, unless ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt, 18:13.) "Be little in your own eyes," that you may be the "head of the tribes of Israel" (1 Kings 15:17), that is, great among the Saints. To such as these only God communicates the secrets of His wisdom. "I give thanks to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth," says Christ Himself, " because Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones." (Matt. 11:25) And David says: "The testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones." (Ps. 18:8)

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. I.

I.

The Blessed Virgin, having entered into the stable at Bethlehem, and perceiving the time of her happy delivery approaching, was wholly fixed upon God, in high contemplation, when the eternal Word made His first appearance upon earth. The Divine Infant issues from His mother's womb, without detriment to her virginal integrity, as He afterwards rose from the monument which was closed upon Him. As the great master of humility, He Commences His lessons of humility to mankind. Contemplate the feelings of the Virgin at that moment. What sentiments of reverence towards her God and of love towards her Son did she feel! Observe with what affection she embraces Him; how she clothes Him, as far as her poverty and the circumstances would permit, and lays Him in the manger. See how she and St. Joseph adore Him, and give Him thanks, for coming into the world, and for choosing her for His Mother and him for His reputed father. Join the holy company in their affections and adoration.

II.

What joy existed in heaven upon this occasion! How pleased was the Heavenly Father at this new sight. "When He introduceth the first-begotten into the world, He saith: And let all the Angels of God adore Him." (Heb. 1:6) Imagine you see the Angels of heaven falling prostrate in adoration, saying, "Holy, holy, holy: Lord God of Sabaoth, the heavens and the earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory." Rejoice, and adore your new-born Savior.

III.

On this occasion was verified the prediction of Isaiah: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel hath not known Me, and My people hath not understood." (Isa. 1:3) These irrational animals that were in the stable when Christ was born seem to have been more sensible than were the Jews. Examine whether or not you be one of those Israelites who do not know your Lord when He has come amongst you. "He who saith He knoweth Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar; and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4)

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. II.

Imagine yourself present in the stable at Bethlehem, and, fixing your eyes on the Blessed Infant lying in the manger, ask yourself these important questions:

"Who is this Infant?" The only begotten Son of the eternal Father, "true God of true God. The Lord, the God of hosts is His name." (Amos 4:13) And "the pillars of heaven tremble and dread at His beck." (Job 26:11) He is infinitely powerful, and infinitely wise. His perfections are incomprehensible, and His being is eternal.

"What are the circumstances that attend Him?" He suffers all the extremities of cold; He is poorly covered; He is destitute of every kind of convenience and accommodation. There are no servants to attend Him; there is no one near Him, except the Virgin and her spouse, by whose care and labor He is maintained.

"Where is He?" He is far from His own country, and His home; He lies exposed in a manger, between two brute beasts. He might well say of Himself: "I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people." (Ps. 21:7)

"Why all this?" For your sake, for the love of you, and to give you example: "to restore lost man to the kingdom of heaven."

"How does this happen?" He was not forced to do this, but He did it by His own free choice. "He was offered because it was His own will." (Is. 53:7) He offered Himself cheerfully and with joy. Therefore, when He entered into the world, "He hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way" (Ps. 18:6), although that way were painful and difficult.

"When does this happen?" In the depth of winter and at midnight, a season and an hour of all others the most inconvenient; and yet "the Father hath put the times and moments in His own power." (Acts 1:7) Be astonished at what you see; give thanks; return love for love, and let this love show itself in imitation.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. III.

I.

God displayed His perfections in the mystery of His nativity. He displayed in a wonderful manner His infinite goodness. In the creation of the world, His omnipotence was manifest: and His providence is displayed in its government. But in this mystery, as St. Paul observes, He displays His "goodness and kindness." (Titus 3:4) He was made man, in order that He might the better be known by man; He was born in poverty and want, in order that He might the more endear Himself to us; He made His first appearance in an open stable, that He might the more easily be found; He lies in a manger, to encourage the poor; He conceals His power, to relieve your mind from the fear of approaching Him; He assumes all the characters of the most perfect meekness, in order to win your heart.

II.

Consider the extreme poverty and love of that virtue, which Christ displayed in this mystery. He made choice of a poor, humble maid for His Mother, and of an artisan for His reputed father. He was born far from His home, in an abandoned stable. Reflect who it is that gave these exalted lessons of poverty. It is the God of all things, who "being rich, He became poor for your sakes; that through His poverty you might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9) Seek, then, for these divine riches, by imitating the poverty of the Redeemer.

III.

Consider the incomparable example of humility, which is exhibited in this mystery. He was the God of heaven and earth, and equal to His Father; yet He humbled Himself to the despicable condition of a slave, "despised, and the most abject of men." (Isa. 53:3) He reduced Himself to this degradation, to teach you the real value of earthly honor, and the esteem of men, of which you are so pitifully fond. Be confounded at your conduct, by comparing it with the example which the divine Infant gave in His nativity.

THE MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS. I.

I.

After the Divine Son had humbled Himself so low. His heavenly Father had decreed that He should be honored, and that His nativity should be made known to the shepherds by the message of Angels; because "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11) Ponder deeply the words of the Evangelist: "And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by them; and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear." (Luke 2:8)

II.

Christ did not wish to be made known to the wise men around Bethlehem, because they were proud; nor to the rich, because they were covetous; nor to the noble, because they were addicted to worldly pleasures; but to simple shepherds, that is, to men who were poor, humble, laborious, vigilant, and attentive to their duty. Imitate their conduct, and you will be visited by divine grace.

III.

Consider more particularly the necessity of practicing humility. Satan and his associates had fallen from heaven in consequence of their pride: and pride was the cause of the apostasy of our first parents, and of all the consequences of original sin. Since that period, it has been the ruling passion of mankind. No vice is more opposite to the end of our creation. To destroy this passion, then, was one of the most important objects of Christ's Incarnation. Hence, on every occasion he gives us perfect examples of the opposite virtue. He is born of a poor virgin, in a wretched stable; He is abandoned by those whom He came to save; and His first visitors were poor, humble shepherds. In a word, His whole life was one grand and divine act of humility. Conceive, then, the importance of this virtue: and learn from Christ to practice it. Be convinced, that without it all is lost, and that it is the best test of real piety, devotion, and religion.

THE MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS. II.

I.

Consider the words of the Angel: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings, for this day is born to you a Savior." (Luke 2:10-11) The joys of the world are either vain or base, or worse. The only true and solid satisfaction for a Christian is to be found in God, and in things belonging to our salvation: and this joy, as Christ Himself says, "no man shall take from you." (John 14:20) Reflect, how many reasons you have to rejoice at the birth of this Savior, "who shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21), that is, from the power and slavery of the devil, by bestowing upon them every spiritual blessing, which leads to life everlasting. These spiritual blessings He is ready to bestow on you, whenever your conduct deserves them. Take advantage of them, and say with the prophet: "I will rejoice in the Lord, and I will joy in God my Jesus." (Hab. 3:18)

II.

"And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger." (Luke 2:12) What are the signs by which this Messiah, this Lord and Savior of the world, is to be found? "Infancy, swaddling-clothes, and a manger." Who would not have expected to hear of a royal personage, of thrones and princely robes? Examine if you can find corresponding signs of poverty and humility in your heart. Hence you may discover whether or not Christ be spiritually born in your soul.

III.

"And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest." (Luke 2:13) Listen to the celestial harmony; and let your actions agree with the sentiment that prompted it. Let the nativity of Christ be a cause of your glorifying God in all things. The Angel sang also: "On earth peace to men of good will." Learn from this, that both interior and exterior peace, both with God, our neighbors, and ourselves, is one of the peculiar benefits of the incarnation of Christ. "In His days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away." (Ps. 71:7) Remember, however, that this peace can never exist, except with "men of good will; for there is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord." (Is. 48:22)

THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS.

I.

"Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word, which is come to pass." (Luke 2:15) Observe the prompt obedience of the shepherds, and learn thence to obey with promptitude the divine inspirations. "For they came with haste. No one can see Christ slothfully," says St. Ambrose. Go you, also, over frequently to Bethlehem, and meditate on the mysteries, which were there exhibited for your sanctification and salvation. Say with holy David: "Oh that some man would give me a drink of the water out of the cistern which is in Bethlehem!" (2 Kings 23:15) This cistern, in your regard, is the manger; and the water is Christ, who is "the fountain of living water" (Jer. 2:13), "and the fountain of wisdom." (Ecclus. 1:5)

II.

"And they found Mary and Joseph; and the Infant lying in a manger." (Luke 2:16.) Hence you may learn that the easiest way of finding Christ is by means of the blessed Virgin and the intercession of the Saints. Observe with what spiritual joy the shepherds perform their acts of adoration. They "return," and recount what they have seen to others, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard." (Luke 2) Unite your adorations with theirs, and glorify and praise God, by imitating the example of this new-born Infant.

III.

"But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Observe the four classes of people that were then in Bethlehem: 1. Some passed by the crib, saw the shepherds and the object of their wonder; but, seeing nothing themselves extraordinary, passed on, without taking further notice. 2. Others heard and admired what the shepherds related; but, being occupied with what they conceived to be of greater importance, thought no more of the subject. 3. The shepherds came and adored with lively faith and spiritual joy; but afterwards returned to their usual occupation, and no more is heard of them. 4. Only the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph remained and pondered each particular of the mystery. Examine to which of these classes you belong, or would wish to belong.