Daily Meditation - Christmas Eve: The Arrival at Bethlehem
Excerpt from the book Growth in the Knowledge of Our Lord: Meditations for Everyday of the Year — Volume I
The Arrival at Bethlehem
Mary and Joseph arrive at Bethlehem — there is no room for them in the inn. Luke 2
I. Prelude
Let us represent to ourselves the houses and streets of Bethlehem; then the outskirts of the town, where was a cavern that had been used, at one time, as a stable.
II. Prelude
O Divine Savior, Who in the rebuffs Thou didst then meet with, dost offer us an example of perfect meekness and humility, give us the grace and the spirit of these virtues, that we may copy them ourselves.
I. Point
Let us consider the persons, and listen to their words.
We may picture to ourselves the simplicity and modesty with which Mary and Joseph presented themselves at the inn in Bethlehem; their exterior conduct bearing that impress of meekness and humility which is the distinguishing mark of sanctity, and the presence of God within the soul. The inhabitants of Bethlehem felt no concern about Mary. In the meantime, Joseph, in a quiet and respectful tone, besought a lodging for his holy spouse and himself: he received but this disappointing reply: there is no room in the inn, Joseph, without complaining, without seeming to be troubled at this, withdrew. Mary sympathized with him affectionately about all the difficulties he had had on her account.
What a touching scene! In the sight of God what significance there was in it! The Mother of His Son to be thus rejected, and without a shelter. God Himself, the Master over all, bore with this rejection, from those who owed everything to Him, and whom He came to save. We have reason to be indignant at the refusals which the Holy Family met with when seeking hospitality: may we not turn our indignation against ourselves? How often have we not refused Jesus admittance into our hearts? How often has He knocked at the door and waited there with patience? He has spoken to us by His good inspirations, and we have not listened.
Let us consider Jesus presenting Himself to us at this moment, and asking us to give Him hospitality. He says to us: Behold, I stand at the gate and knock: If any man shall hear My Voice, and open to Me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me. He now beseeches us to open to Him our hearts, that He may be born therein spiritually, by the entrance of these graces which may soften them, and dispose them to imitate the virtues which were so apparent in Jesus at His Birth.
Let us consider further that He knocks at the hearts of all Christians, even as He did at the gates of the inhabitants in Bethlehem; but the greater part are insensible to this visit; and receive the invitations of His grace but to offend Him anew; imitating those who obliged Him to retire into the stable. May our piety and our love make up for the coldness and injuries He still meets with.
II. Point
Let us consider the actions of Mary and Joseph.
We must follow our holy travelers, not losing sight of them for a moment; they offer us valuable instructions. Throughout this time of trial, Mary and Joseph united to their humility and the gentleness of their words, courage, and calmness in their manner of acting; although overcome by fatigue, they manifest no visible emotion or vexation; no complaint nor murmuring is heard: they suffer patiently the effects of their poverty; they are submissive and humble; they adore God in all. But darkness is overtaking them; the doors of the houses are all closed; they move on guided by Providence: outside the town they meet with a stable, and retire into it for the rest of the night.
If we wish to please Jesus, let us prepare our soul for Him — by being disengaged from all else, despoiled of all else, but Him, so that the spirit of poverty may increase in us. Poverty is the condition in which He willed to be born. If we consider the Holy Infant, we see nothing about Him but poverty, humiliations, suffering. If we desire to receive Him into our hearts, we must resolve to receive Him with all the virtues which come in His train. Whoever loves not holy poverty, will never love, and never receive into his heart, Jesus in His poverty; for it was to make us love this virtue, and to cause us to be inspired by its spirit, that Jesus willed to be born in the midst of sufferings, humiliations, privations, and rejections of all sorts.
It was as a Poor Infant that He desired to be loved by us, and to come to us. May His desires be accomplished, so that it may not be said of us: He came unto His own and His own received Him not.
Colloquy
It was not without a wise reason, O my Adorable Jesus, that Thou didst subject Thy Mother to so cruel a trial as that which Thou didst share with her on the Eve of Thy Nativity. By it Thou wouldst teach us that the portion of Thy true disciples is to be rejected, forsaken, injured, and deprived often of all human succor. What a hard lesson to nature! How few understand it! Deign, O Jesus, to admit me amongst the happy witnesses of the humiliations attending Thy Birth; so that enlightened by love's pure light, I may discover hidden treasures in rebuffs, and contempt, and may seek for them with Thee; or, at least, like Mary and Joseph, may I receive them with calmness, meekness, and love.
Resolution
Following the example of Mary and Joseph, and in union with the Heart of Jesus, I will receive with joy and gratitude all the trials and humiliations that Divine Providence may deign to reserve for me.
Thought for the Day
There was no room for them in the inn.
Prayer
Soul of Christ (Anima Christi)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malignant enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee, That with all Thy saints, I may praise thee Forever and ever. Amen.
From the book Growth in the Knowledge of Our Lord: Meditations for Everyday of the Year — Volume I by Abbe de Brandt (Burns and Oates, 1883, Pages 85-89).