Novena in preparation for Our Lord’s Nativity
EIGHTH DAY
For the grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men; Instructing
us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and
justly, and godly in this world. Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the
glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. - Titus 2:11,12,13
Consider
that by the grace that is said here to have appeared is meant the tender love
of Jesus Christ towards men, a love that we have not merited, which therefore
is called “grace.” This love was, however, always the same in God, but did not
always appear. It was at first promised in many prophecies, and foreshadowed by
many figures; but at the birth of the Redeemer this Divine love indeed appeared,
and manifested itself by the Eternal Word showing Himself to man as an infant,
lying on straw, crying and shivering with cold; beginning thus to make satisfaction
for us for the penalties we have deserved, and so making known to us the
affection which He bore us, by giving up. His life for us: “In this we have
known the charity of God, because He hath laid down His life for us.” Therefore
the love of our God appeared to all, “omnibus hominibus. But why is it, then,
that all men have not known it, and that even at this day so many are ignorant
of it? This is the reason: “The light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than the light.” They have not known Him, and they do not know
Him, because they do not wish to know him, loving rather the darkness of sin
than the light of grace.
But let us endeavour not to be of the
number of these unhappy souls. If in past times we have shut our eyes to the
light, thinking little of the love of Jesus Christ, let us try, during the days
that may remain to us in this life, to have ever before our eyes the sufferings
and death of our Redeemer, in order to love Him who hath loved us so much:
“Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ.” Thus may we justly expect, according to the divine promises,
that paradise which Jesus Christ has acquired for us by His blood. At His first
coming Jesus appeared as an infant, poor and humble, and showed Himself on
earth born in a stable, covered with miserable rags, and lying on straw; but at
His second coming He will come on a throne of majesty: “We shall see the Son of
Man coming in the clouds with great power and majesty.” Blessed then will he be
who shall have loved Him, and miserable those who have not loved Him.
AFFECTIONS AND PRAYERS
O my holy Infant now I see Thee lying on straw, poor, afflicted, and
forsaken; but I know that one day Thou wilt come to judge me, seated on a
throne of splendor, and attended by the angels. Forgive me, I implore Thee,
before Thou dost judge me. Then Thou wilt have to conduct Thyself as a just
judge; but now Thou art my Redeemer, and the Father of mercy. I have been one
of those ungrateful ones who have not known Thee, because I did not choose to
know Thee; and therefore, instead of being inclined to love Thee by the
consideration of the love Thou hast borne me, I have only thought of satisfying
my own desires, despising Thy grace and Thy love. But into Thy sacred hands I
commend my soul, which I have lost; do Thou save it: “Into Thy hands I commend
my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.” In Thee do I place
all my hopes, knowing that, to ransom me from hell, Thou hast given Thy blood
and Thy life: “Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.” Thou didst not
condemn me to death when I was living in sin, but hast waited for me with
infinite patience, in order that, having come to myself, I might repent of
having offended Thee, and might begin to love Thee, and that thus Thou mightest
be able to forgive and save me. Yes, my Jesus, I will please Thee. I repent,
above every other evil, of all the offenses I have committed against Thee; I
repent, and love Thee above all things. Do Thou save me in Thy mercy, and let
it be my salvation to love Thee always in this life and in eternity. My dearest
Mother Mary, recommend me to thy Son. Do thou represent to Him that I am thy servant,
and that I have placed all my hope in thee. He hears thee, and refuses thee
nothing.
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