Christmas Eve

"Consider how, after so many centuries, after so many prayers and sighs, the Messias Whom the holy Patriarchs and Prophets were not worthy to see, for Whom the nations sighed, the desire of the eternal hills, our Saviour is come! He is already born and has given Himself entirely to us. A child is born to us, and a son is given to us - (Isaias ix., 6)

"A child gives easily" says Saint Bernard; children readily give anything that is asked of them. Jesus came into the world as a Child, in order to show Himself ready and willing to give us all good gifts: In whom are hid all treasures - (Colossians ii., 3) The Father hath given all things into his hands - (John iii., 35)

If we wish for light, He is come to enlighten us. If we wish for strength to resist our enemies, He is come to comfort us. If we wish for pardon and salvation, He is come to pardon and save us. If in short, we desire the supreme gift of Divine love, He is come to inflame our hearts with it; and above all for this very purpose, He has become a child, and has chosen to show Himself to us deserving of our love, in proportion as He was poor and humble, in order to take away from us all fear, and to gain our affections."

[Novena for Christmas - Meditation III]

Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine