Our Morning Offering – 26 December –Within the Octave – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
To the Infant Jesus in the Crib
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Oh, how I love Thee,
Lord of Heaven above!
Too well hast Thou deserved
to gain my love.
Sweet Jesus, I would die
for love of Thee,
For Thou didst not disdain
to die for me.
I leave Thee, faithless world, –
farewell! depart!
This lovely Babe has loved
and won my heart.
I love Thee, loving God,
Who from above
Didst come on earth,
a Babe, to gain my love.
Thou tremblest, darling Child
and yet, I see
Thy heart is all on fire
with love for me!
Love makes Thee thus,
a Child, my Saviour dear;
Love only brought Thee
down to suffer here.
Love conquered Thee,
Great God, love tied Thy hands,
A captive here for me,
in swathing-bands
And love, strong love,
awaits Thy latest breath,
To make Thee die for m,
a cruel death.
AnaStpaul 