The New-born Child
by VP
Posted on Thursday December 25, 2025 at 11:00PM in Meditations
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
(1714–1789) 
"In the cradle before us lies the new-born
Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. Let us
contemplate Him for a few moments and see what lessons He teaches us.
1.
He teaches us the unspeakable force of divine charity. How was it
possible for the Eternal Word, the co-equal Son of God, to leave the
bosom of His Father to clothe Himself with the flesh of sinful man? It
seems an almost extravagant act of love, one unworthy of the dignity of
God. Yet love puts everything aside except the burning desire to promote
the welfare of the loved. The Son of God forgot all else in His divine
compassion for us. How dearly He must love us ! How great should be our
confidence in His love!
2. He teaches us never to judge by
appearances. If we had been told that God had come to dwell on earth,
would not the stable of Bethlehem have been the last place where we
should have sought Him. In how many a humble cottage there may still be
found saints more dear to God than even those who have a world wide
repute for their holiness and virtue !
3. He teaches us the true
dignity of self-abasement. God could not do anything unworthy of
Himself when clad in human flesh. It therefore was no disparagement to
the divine honor that He should thus infinitely condescend. Nay, it
proved that the greatest possible likeness to God is attained by the
most complete humiliation of self. How little I have learned to practice
this lesson ! "
Meditations for Christmas . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891
A Desire
by VP
Posted on Thursday December 25, 2025 at 12:00AM in Poetry
O, to have dwelt in Bethlehem
When the star of the Lord shone bright!
To have sheltered the Holy wanderers
on that blessed Christmas night;
Thou have kissed the tender way worn feet
Of the Mother undefiled,
And with reverent wonder and deep delight,
To have tended the Holy Child!
Hush! such a glory was not for Thee;
But that care may still be Thine;
For are there not little ones still to aide
For the sake of the Child divine?
Are there no wandering pilgrims now
To thy heart and thy home to take?
And are there no mothers whose weary hearts
You can comfort for Mary's sake?
Source: Messenger of the Sacred Heart, Adelaide A. Procter 1891
