The Little Book of the Most Holy Child Jesus/Meditation I
MEDITATION I.
THE STABLE AT BETHLEHEM.
Grace to ask for: Humility.
It is midnight.
The winter air is cold and chill.
See a comfortless stable, partly shed and partly cave, hollowed in the side of a rock.
A poor place indeed. The keen breeze finds its way in freely.
In that stable lies a Babe.
His only cradle is a manger from which cattle feed. He lies there on the rough straw—a new-born Babe.
His little limbs are wrapped around with swathing bands like the babes of the poorest.
It is Jesus, the great God of heaven, who has come to live and suffer as a little Child, that we might see how much He loves us and how He longs to be with us.
He is not alone. A gentle young Mother bends over Him.
Her eyes are full of love and worship.
A tender watchful Mother.
Earth has never before seen such a mother. There never can be another like to her, so pure, so holy, like a spotless white lily-flower amongst the dark thorns of earth.
She has no better place this night wherein to lay her new-born Babe.
It is Mary, our Mother Mary.
His Mother and our Mother for ever, evermore.
A grave peaceful man watches over them, calm in the midst of all this scene of poverty.
Nothing can disturb him, nothing daunts him, for his heart belongs to God, to that little Child whose Foster-father he is henceforth.
It is Joseph, our own dear Saint Joseph.
The stars shine right down through the worn roof from the clear cold sky.
Brighter than the stars are the angels, not only in heaven above, but unseen by us, adoring this holy Child, their Creator, lying in that rough manger-cradle.
He has never shown such love for those shining angels, bright sinless angels, as for us.
How we must love Him if we have hearts at all wherewith to love!
Jesus, I thank Thee for coming thus. Great God, how Thou hast humbled Thyself! It seems too much, too wonderful, but I know that it is true.
Nothing is too wonderful for Thy great, Thy everlasting love.
For love of Thee I will be humble. Take away my pride and my self-will.
Mary, I thank thee and bless thee for loving God so nobly, so purely, so humbly, that He gave His dear Son to us through thee. Pray to that Son, that I may have grace to learn of Him and thee to be meek and humble of heart.
Joseph, Foster-father of Jesus, the Heart of that holy Child beats for me. Mary is my Mother; pray for me that I may be truly humble and belong to this Holy Family, now, and at the hour of my death, and for evermore.
Most Holy Child Jesus, save Thy children.