Today, with the mystery of Nativity, we are invited to meditate on the following fruits: the spirit of poverty and the detachment from worldly goods.

'I was born, born for you, born in a cave, in December, in the cold, on a wintry night, in poverty and in solitude, unknown even to the poorest. Why was I born in this way? So that you may believe in my love, since my love for you knows no limit. As I have loved you so much, put all your hope in me. I teach you to love me. Loving you with such tender love it was not enough for me to give myself to the world in the Incarnation. Ever since my birth I have shown myself to you and have put myself entirely into your hands. Ever since then you have been able to see me, hold me, hear me, serve me, console me. Love me, love me, for I am close to you. I give myself to you completely. In my great goodness I did not give myself to you just at my birth for a few days or years, but I gave myself into your hands for ever, till the end of time...

I became this little child, so gentle and vulnerable, for you. Do not be afraid of me, come, take me in your arms and adore me, caress me as a child loves to be caressed. See, I hold out my arms to you. Be not afraid to caress me, a little tender babe. I am your God, but I am gentle and smiling. Be not afraid, but full of tenderness and love and confidence.'

My God, all this happy day I shall meditate on you. Yes, my God, you are constant and faithful. The Incarnation sprang from the goodness of God. The humility contained in this mystery is amazing, marvellous, astonishing! It shines with a dazzling brilliance! God, the Essence, Infinite Perfection, Creator, All-Powerful, the Sovereign Lord of All, becomes man and takes the body and soul of one of us. He comes on earth as a man, and the humblest of men. - Blessed Charles of Foucauld, Jesus in his Incarnation and Birth, in Meditations of a Hermit, 11/6/1897

Prayer intention: for the priests

Father, we entrust to Your care the priests and the consecrated of Your Church. Please gather the lost sheep, that committed shameful acts: put in their heart a sincere repentance, and grant them the courage to do all they can so their victims may obtain justice, grant them to repair the horror they created by coming forward and admitting their crimes. 

Father, take under Your caring wing the ecclesial authorities who are dealing with such scandals: help them adopt the correct attitude, while always defending the interest of the victims, and of their families, thus honoring the Church. And finally, Father, give strength to the priests and religious who are faithful servants of the Gospel and whose burden is heavy these days when the clergy is under suspicion, and who are even victims of false accusations. 

With Mary and Saint Michael Archangel, we ask You in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Let us pray:

One Our Father.

Ten Hail Mary.

The special prayers to the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael Archangel by clicking on the button "Pray" below.

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Picture: The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo.