Moreover, in this mystery of the Nativity we can contemplate the profound humility of the Son of God and of His mother. They did not disdain a stable for their dwelling, nor the cattle, hay, and other mean things which were around them. This virtue, in all its acts, both our Lord and His mother most perfectly observed, and thereby commended it to us. Let us strive, then, to do all in our power to embrace it ; for without it there is no salvation, because whatever we do when it is mixed with pride cannot please God. According to S. Augustine, pride turned Angels into devils ; humility turns men into Angels. And S. Bernard says,⁶ “What kind of man ought he, think you, to be, who is chosen to fill the place of a lost Angel ? Pride once disturbed that kingdom, shook its walls, partly threw them down, and no small part of them too. What then follows ? Would not that pest be abominated by the inhabitants most of all? Be assured, brethren, that He who spared not the proud Angels will not spare men. God will not be inconsistent with Himself.’’

Then you can consider in the Son of God and His mother, but mostly in the infant Jesus, the heartrending sufferings of this Mystery. Of this S. Bernard speaks thus : “The Son of God at His Birth, when He had the power to choose whatever time He liked, chose that which was most painful, especially to a tender infant, the son of a poor mother, who had scarcely any clothes to cover Him, and nothing but a manger in which to cradle Him ; and notwithstanding there was such urgent need for them, we hear nothing of warm furs in which to wrap Him.”⁷ And again, “Christ, who cannot make a mistake, chose what was most painful to the flesh. This, therefore, is best, and most profitable, and to be preferred ; and whoever teaches or advises the contrary, is to be avoided as a seducer.” And again, “He,” brethren, “was foretold a long time before by the prophet Isaiah as the child ‘ who should know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.’⁸ Therefore what is pleasant to the flesh is evil, what is painful is good ; since that wise child, the infant Word, chose the latter, and rejected the former.” Thus S. Bernard speaks. Go and do thou likewise; but act discreetly, and not exceed your power. We shall have more to say about these virtues in another place. Let us return to the scene of the Nativity.

The Lord then being born, a multitude of Angels came to worship Him, and, having adored their God, forthwith went to the shepherds, who were about a mile from Bethlehem, to announce to them the Birth of Christ and where it took place. Thence, they went up to heaven with songs and joyous strains, announcing to their fellow-citizens the same event. Then the whole heavenly court, in raptures of joy, celebrated the mystery with pomp and praise, making acts of thanksgiving to the Eternal Father ; and all who were there, according to their different orders, descend successively to see the Face of the Lord their God ; and adoring Him with all reverence, and beholding His mother, they filled the air with songs of praise. For who of them, having heard these tidings, could have remained in Heaven, and not visited his Lord in His so lowly estate upon earth ? This proud feeling could not have possessed one of them. And, therefore, the Apostle says, “Again, when He bringeth in the First-begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him .”⁹ Whatever be the truth in this matter, it is sweet to me to meditate thus on the Angels.

The shepherds came and worshipped Him, bringing tidings of what they had heard from the Angels. His most prudent mother was all the while keeping in her heart whatever she heard concerning her Child ; and the shepherds departed, rejoicing on their way. Bend thy knee too, you who have lingered before this scene, worship thy Lord God, and reverence His mother, and the holy and venerable Joseph. Then kiss in spirit the Feet of the Child Jesus, as He lies on His bed of hay, and ask in spirit His mother to hold Him forth that you may receive Him into your arms ; then take Him, embrace Him, attentively regard His features, kiss Him reverently, and delight in Him trustfully. This you may do, because He came into the world to save sinners, and after humbly conversing with them, left Himself to them for their food. Therefore His Benignity will patiently suffer Himself to be handled as you desire, and He will not ascribe it to presumption, but to love. Yet these acts must always be accompanied with reverence and fear, because He is the Holy of Holies. Then imagine that you restore Him to His mother, and carefully observe with what care and wisdom she takes charge of Him, gives Him suck, and performs other parental duties. Be ready to give your services as if you could, meditate on them, delight and rejoice in them, and with continual devotion take the posture of one who would gladly, with the Blessed Mother, minister to the Child Jesus, and often gaze upon that Face which angels desire to look upon.¹⁰ But always, as I repeat, with reverence and fear, that you may not suffer a repulse ; for you ought to regard yourself as unworthy to converse with Him.

You ought also to contemplate with joy, how great is this day’s solemnity. For to-day Christ was born, and, therefore, it is truly the Birthday of the Eternal King and of the Son of the Living God. This day “unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given .”¹¹ This day the Sun of Righteousness, which was before under a cloud, shone forth brightly. This day the Holy Spirit, Head of the Church of the elect people, came forth as a bridegroom out of His chamber. This day He who is fairer than the sons of men, showed His face, so long desired. This day first was made that angelic hymn, “Glory to God in the highest .”¹² This day peace was announced to men, according to the same hymn. This day, as the Church throughout the whole world sings, “the heavens distilled honey, and the angels sang on earth .”¹³ This day the kindness and goodness of God our Saviour first appeared.¹⁴ This day God is adored in the likeness of sinful flesh. This day these two miracles happened which surpass all understanding, and which can be apprehended only by faith ; namely, God is born, and a Virgin brings forth. This day a multitude of other miracles took place. In short, all that has been written about the Incarnation shone brightly forth ; and whatever was before commenced, was only now manifested, and therefore it is permissible to add to these meditations, passages which do not coincide in point of time and yet bear upon the subject. It is evident, then, that this day is one of public rejoicing and gladness, and of great delight¹⁵

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Footnotes

1. S. Luke ii. 7- ↩

2. S. Matt. xiii. 46. ↩

3. Serm. i. Vig. Nat. Dom. ↩

4. Serm, v. ↩

5. S. Luke vi. 24. ↩

6. Ser. ii. de Verb. Is. vi. ↩

7. Ser. iii. de Nat. Dom. ↩

8. Is. vii. 15. ↩

9. Hebr i. 6. ↩

10. 1 Pet. i. 12. ↩

11. Is. ix. 6. ↩

12. Luke ii. 14. ↩

13. The office of the Nativity in the Breviary. ↩

14. Tit. iii. 4. ↩

15. The account of some miracles follows. ↩