Oh, souls thirsting for God, fix your gaze on the mystery we contemplate in the cave of Bethlehem. What do we see there? A Child, small, defenseless, lying in a manger. This Child is God Himself, the eternal Word, who does not disdain the weakness of our flesh but assumes it to save us. What could move Him to this if not an ineffable love, a burning desire for closeness with us? This is the mystery of the Incarnation: the almighty God who lowers Himself to the humblest state to draw us to His heart.
Contemplate Him. In His very littleness, the Child Jesus teaches us profound lessons. Saint Teresa of Jesus, in her heavenly wisdom, invites us to learn from Him: “Whoever lacks a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this Lord so human, and he will see how much he gains.” Who is more human than this Child? Who is closer? If clarity in prayer is lacking, if your spirit feels lost, turn your eyes to the manger. Look at His tiny hands outstretched, as if already calling us to rest in His love.
This Child, though He speaks no words, teaches through His very presence. His silence speaks louder than any sermon: prayer does not consist in multiplying words but in being in His presence with an open heart. He is the perfect master, who in the simplicity of His cradle shows us the path to communion with God.
THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD
Why did God choose to come as a child? Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus answers with luminous clarity: “Jesus chose to come as a child so that no one would fear to approach Him.” Here lies the reason for His littleness: He does not want us to fear Him but to trust Him completely. Just as a child extends his arms to his father, so He calls us to stretch our hearts toward Him.
Christmas invites us, as Thérèse understood so well, to live spiritual childhood. What does this mean? It means putting aside self-sufficiency, recognizing our dependence on God, and abandoning ourselves in His arms like a child who fully trusts the love of his father. The greatness of this path lies in that by making ourselves small, God takes us and raises us to Himself.
LOVE MADE SMALL
Consider this: the same God who holds the universe in His hand became a fragile and dependent child. What an abyss of love! He, who needed nothing, chose to need everything, so that we might learn not to fear Him. In His poverty, He offers us His riches; in His smallness, He reveals His greatness. Thus, by His very presence in the manger, He teaches us that there is nothing to fear when approaching Him.
Who could contemplate this mystery without being moved? God did not come as a powerful king to impose Himself but as a child to implore love. This Child calls us not with words but through His very littleness, and He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). His very presence is rest for the soul, balm for the heart.
COME TO THE MANGER
Come, then, to the manger. Look upon the Child Jesus and let Him speak to you in the silence of His humility. Offer Him your love, however small, for this Child despises nothing; He came precisely to seek what is little and humble. If ever you feel unworthy to approach, remember that this Child came not for the righteous but for sinners. His love knows no limits or conditions.
Oh, entire nations, hear this call: Behold the Child, behold Love made flesh. This is the God who lowers Himself to raise us, who becomes small to conquer us. Look into His eyes, so full of tenderness; His smile, so full of peace. He is not a distant God but the God who takes our misery to fill us with His riches. His very littleness is a cry that resounds in the soul: “Come, fear not; I am your rest, your hope, your salvation.”
What excuse remains for not loving Him? What obstacle could stand between this Child and your heart? As you gaze upon this manger, the heavens open, and a voice seems to whisper to every soul: “Love Him, for He has already loved you first. Follow Him, for He has come to seek you.” Let this Child ignite in you a fire that will never be extinguished, a love that nothing can hinder.
Nations, souls, hearts: kneel before this God made Child, for in His weakness lies your strength, in His poverty your glory, and in His tenderness the fullness of all your longing. Come to Bethlehem, for there eternity begins. There, in the humility of a manger, is the King who will reign not from a throne but from your heart. Love Him, and you will be His forever.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Teresa of Jesus, The Book of Life, chap. 22.
• Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Manuscript A, 4v-5v.
• The Holy Bible, Mt 11:28; 2 Cor 8:9.
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