December is traditionally regarded as the month of devotion to the Infant Jesus. This is so because his birth, Christmas, is celebrated in December. The devotion to the Holy Infant Jesus dates back to the birth of Jesus. For example, at his birth, an angel of the Lord announced the good news of his birth to shepherds; a choir of angels sang praises to God, the shepherds went to pay homage to him. And the magi, following the guidance of a star, came from the East to worship the Infant Jesus (Lk. 2:8-16; Mt. 2:2). The objective of devotion to the Infant Jesus is to acquire child-like virtues such as humility and trust in God; for unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 18:3).

In addition, by the devotion to the Infant Jesus, we obtain the merits of the mysteries of his holy infancy, which are his incarnation, his visitation in the womb of his Blessed Mother to Zachariah and Elizabeth, the nine months he was in the womb of his Blessed Mother, and his nativity. Other mysteries of the holy infancy of our Lord are his circumcision, the adoration by the magi, his presentation in the temple, and his flight as a Child, with Mary and Joseph, to Egypt. The other mysteries of his holy infancy are his sojourn in Egypt, his return from Egypt, his holy life as a Child in Nazareth, his missing from his parents for three days, and his disputation with the doctors at the temple.

It is by meditating on the mysteries of his divine infancy that we shall find our hearts warmed with that generous love which will render us strong and constant in the practice of virtue. It is also by meditating on the mysteries of the holy infancy of Jesus that we shall likewise acquire the virtues of humility and trust in God. It will also bring peace to our lives. Isaiah 11:6 says that the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion shall feed together, and a little child shall lead them. This verse refers to the Promised Messiah who shall bring people to our lives.

As a way to practice devotion to the Infant Jesus, find the time during this week to read a favorite bible passage of yours that concerns any of the mysteries of the holy infant of Jesus. Read the passage also as an act of repentance for one’s sins. True repentance is necessary to receive in our hearts the awaited Messiah. Repentance is more than feeling guilty for our sins; it also involves a change of heart – a metanoia – a return to God.

As we await the commemoration of his birth at Christmas, present yourself to the Blessed Virgin who bore the fruit of life; go in spirit to the stable at Bethlehem; there you will find St. Joseph and a multitude of celestial angels awaiting the birth of the Savior, in order to announce to the world, the happy tidings of salvation. See the love that inflames the heart of Mary as she awaits the birth of her Son; unite yourself to her immaculate heart; wish with her to see and to contemplate the Word made flesh, the Messiah.

Let us pray. O Holy Infant Jesus, we adore you, and acknowledge you as the Incarnate Word. We thank you for the priceless gift of the eternal redemption you have won for us, and your immense goodness and mercy towards us. May the effects of your incarnation and the redemption you have won for us be felt in our soul. Amen.