The Divine Infant had no bed but a manger and a little straw on which to repose. Nothing seems to distinguish him from other children; however, he is the Son of the Most High, the Heir of God his Father, the Almighty, the strong and admirable God, the Redeemer of the world. Who, then, has deprived him of his sovereign greatness? What brought him to earth? Consider the love that he has for us—for us he was born in a stable; for us he was laid in this manger; for you he slept on a straw. What excess of love! What ineffable charity! Who can comprehend it? Join yourself in spirit with the holy angels who are celebrating this great festivity of God reconciled to man; rejoice with them, for the Lord has looked with mercy on the earth; justice and mercy have met; heaven and earth have united in an eternal alliance.

Consider also the poor crib which contains the treasure of heaven, the ransom of the world, the joy of angels and people; see by what humiliations Jesus would cure your pride; see how he condemns the love of the things of this world; and how he reproves all the labors people take to accumulate wealth at the risk of the salvation of their soul. We must offer to God all the powers of our body, all the faculties of our soul, to serve and love him; to make sacrifices for him and to practice virtue and persevere in the path of eternal life.

How humble is Jesus! He willingly communicates himself to humble and simple people. Jesus chose poor shepherds to announce his birth to the world, as he afterwards selected humble fishermen to announce his gospel, and to constitute them the apostles of the nations. How inscrutable are his judgments! How impenetrable are his ways. He teaches us to despise the grandeur and vain honors and glories of the world. He bestows the rich treasures of his grace and love upon those who are humble. He blesses and rewards those who are poor in spirit. He casts down the mighty from their throne, and raises up the humble. He is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome him.

After the shepherds had rendered homage to the Divine Infant, they returned to watch over their flocks. Their hearts were filled with gratitude and admiration at all they had seen and heard. They spoke of the loveliness of the Holy Child, of the profound joy of the Blessed Virgin, prostrate at the foot of the cradle of her Divine Son, and of the tender devotion of St. Joseph to the Holy Child. They had witnessed with so much candor and simplicity. It is with such persons that our God is pleased. God loves who have faith in him; he receives the praises of a just and sincere soul; he confounds the pride of the arrogant; and he exalts the humble.

Let us pray. O Omnipotent Jesus, you decided to become a child for our sake. I come to you and place my trust in you. I believe that your attentive love foresees all my needs and that through the intercession of your Holy Mother, you will meet my spiritual and material necessities. O good Jesus, to give me your strength and protection. Help to be a holy and faithful disciple of yours. Grant me the grace of final perseverance so that, with Mary and Joseph, and all the angels and saints, I may adore, worship, and praise you and the Father and the Holy Spirit in the court of heaven forever and ever. Amen.