PEARLS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE FOR OUR LITTLE ONES

New Zealand Tablet, 10 December 1914, Page 61

PEARLS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE FOR OUR LITTLE ONES

By the Rev. M. J. Watson, S.J.,

Author of ‘Within the Soul,’ and * The Story of Burke and Wills/

* Unless you he converted and, become as little children, y you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.’— St.. Matt, xviii. 3. . " . [All Rights Reserved.] VII.THE DEATHLESS STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS. ‘ This day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.’ — St. Luke ii. 11.

I have called the Story of the First Christmas deathless, because it can never die, it can never be forgotten; it is the story of our dear Saviour’s birth. The Eternal Father, our Creator, so loved us that He sent His Divine Son into the world to redeem us from sin and the power of the devil. On the First Christmas night our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, who wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him on a little straw in a manger. For there was no room for her and St. Joseph in the inn at Bethlehem, and the only place where they could get shelter from the cold and wind of the night was a poor stable. Can you not fancy that you are present in that stable and that you see the Divine Infant lying in the manger before you ? The first persons to adore Him were His Mother and St. Joseph. You should, as you read these words, unite with them and say: ‘ Dear Infant Jesus, I adore Thee as true God, and I love and thank Thee for coming from heaven to be our Saviour.’

Now, outside the stable on the plains there were shepherds watching their sheep during # the night, and suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of. God shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, and the angel said to them: ‘ Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people. For this day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord in Bethlehem, the city of David. And this is the sign by which you may know Him, you shall find Him an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.’ And then with, the angel appeared a great number of other angels—a multitude, the Bible says, —of the heavenly army, praising God, and singing, ‘ Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.’ When the angels -went away, into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: * Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this great wonder which the angels have told us.’ And they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and also the Infant Saviour wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in the manger. And after they had worshipped Him, they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had. heard and seen, which the angel of the Lord had announced to them. Our Infant Jesus, dearest children, is all beautiful, beautiful in the manger, beautiful in the arms of His Mother, beautiful at/all times/ and" in all places; sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, and more to be desired than treasures of silver and gold. My friends tell me, O Lord,’ -says the saintly Father Paul Segneri, so many things of Thy beauty/ of Thy excellence, of Thine infinite greatness, that it is no longer possible for me to remain at a distance from thee. Ah ! deign to show me now at once Thy glorious Face. “Show .us Thy Face and we shall be saved”/

At Christmas the heart that is pleasing to Heaven is flooded with the sunshine of peace and loving kindness, and blesses God for the many gifts He has bestowed upon/ the world. History relates that in the year 942 the Emperor Otho was on his way to assist at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the city-of Frankfurt. His brother Henry, who had been cast into prison for plotting against the Emperor’s life, escaped • -'V - ’ * -

just then from jail, and flung himself at Otho’s feet, asking pardon for his crime. The Christmas bells were ringing, and a band of men, carrying lighted torches, sang as they moved towards the church; ‘ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.’ The Emperor raised his brother from the ground, and embraced him, saying, ‘ Thy sin is forgiven the© for the love of our Infant Saviour.’ The people heard his words, and uttering a glad shout, they cried aloud: ‘ Glory to God and praise to our gracious Emperor for his mercy.’ So should we forgive, especially at Christmas, all who have offended *us or done us any injury. Prayer to be Said Often. Have mercy on us. Infant Jesus, have mercy on us. Christmas Hymn. Once in David’s royal city ■ • Stood a lonely cattle-shed, Where a Maiden laid her Baby. With a manger for His bed.' ' . Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her only Child. He came down to earth from Heaven. Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, ... ' And His cradle was a stall. 1 With the poor and with the lowly . Lived,: on earth,'our Saviour holy. And through all His wondrous childhood He would honor and obey, Love and watch the lowly Maiden, In whose gentle arms He lay. Christian children all must bo : . Mild, obedient, good as He.«