Tuesday, December 24 : Saint Bernard
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! Be amazed, and let every creature, let man above all be carried away with wonder and break into praise: «Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah»… What announ cement could be sweeter?… Was its like ever heard before? or when did the world ever receive such tidings? «Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah.» Such short words, telling of the Eternal Word abbreviated for us! O word full of heavenly delights!… «Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah.» O Nativity of spotless sanctity! O birth honorable for the world, birth pleasing and welcome to men because of the magnificence of the benefit it bestows; birth incomprehensible to the angels, by reason of the depth and sacredness of the mystery! (cf. Eph 3,10)… «Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah.» Awake, you who lie in the dust; awake and give praise! Behold, the Lord comes with salvation. Behold the Anointed of the Lord, his Christ; behold him who comes with glory… Happy the soul who is drawn to «run in the odor of his ointments» (Sg 1,4 LXX): she will see «his glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father» (Jn 1,14). Take courage, you who were lost! Jesus comes to seek and save that which was lost. You sick, return to health: Christ comes to heal the contrite of heart with the unction of His mercy. Rejoice, all you who desire great things: the Son of God comes down to you that he may make you co-heirs of his Kingdom (Rm 8,17). I beseech you, then, O Lord: heal me, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved (Jer 7,14); glorify me, and I shall be glorious. Yes indeed: «bless the Lord my soul, and let all that is within me praise his holy Name» (Ps 103[102],1)… The Son of God became man to make men sons of God.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team
