One Minute Reflection – 30 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of our Lord – Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:15-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And they came with haste and they found, Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in the manger. ” – Luke 2:16
REFLECTION – “About two weeks before Christmas, Francis said: … “I wish to call to mind, the Child Who was born at Bethlehem and all the sufferings He endured, from His childhood … I wish to see Him with the eyes of my flesh, just as He was, laid in a manger and sleeping on the hay between an ox and an ass”…
The joyful day arrived … The Friars from several Convents thereabouts were gathered together. In festive spirit the people round about, both men and women, all according to their means, made torches and candles ready with which to illuminate the night which saw the bright star arise, to light up all the ages!
When he arrived the Saint saw that all was ready and rejoiced greatly. A manger and some straw had been brought; an ass and an ox had been led along. Truly, simplicity held the place of honour there; it was the triumph of poverty and best lesson in humility. Greccio had become a new Bethlehem! Night had been rendered as bright as day and as delightful for the animals, as for the people. Crowds had hastened along and this re-enactment of the Mystery re-animated their joy. The woods resounded with songs and the mountains threw back their echoes. The brethren sang the Lord’s praises and the whole night was spent in rejoicing. The Saint passed the night watch standing before the crib, broken with compassion, filled with inexpressible happiness. Finally, Mass was celebrated on the manger as on an Altar and the Priest experienced fervour of a kind he had never felt before.
Francis had put on his Dalmatic, for he was a Deacon and he sang the Gospel with resonant voice … Then he preached to the people, finding words as sweet as honey, to speak of the birth of the poor King and the little Town of Bethlehem.” – Servant of God Thomas of Celano OFM (c1185-1260) Biographer of Saint Francis and Saint Clare (The First Life of Saint Francis, #84-86).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the new birth, in the flesh, of Thine Only-begotten Son, may deliver us, whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 