What happens when we gaze at a baby? Our hearts are lifted and we smile. Gazing at a baby brings love, joy, peace, wonder, comfort and hope. In the tender embrace of holding my babies, it is love that passed between us. God is love. In His tiny creation, God manifests His love for us. It is a mutual exchange of love. A baby is innocent, vulnerable, pure, dependent and trusting. Gazing at a baby, we see beauty, goodness and light.
As we prepare our hearts for the coming of the baby Jesus, let us ponder His birth by gazing at His Face. He comes to us in love. His Face is love. His little hands stretch out to draw us close in love. When His gaze comes upon us, we are forever transformed in love.
The baby Jesus is calling you. "Come to Me and I will give you rest."
Let us peer into the tiny stable in Bethlehem and gaze at the baby Jesus.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. Luke 2:4-20
On Christmas Eve in 1937, Saint Faustina encountered the Holy Child Jesus:
"When I arrived at Midnight Mass, from the very beginning I steeped myself in deep recollection, during which time I saw the stable of Bethlehem filled with great radiance. The Blessed Virgin, all lost in the deepest of love, was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, but Saint Joseph was still asleep. Only after the Mother of God put Jesus in the manger did the light of God awaken Joseph, who also prayed. But after a while, I was left alone with the Infant Jesus who stretched out His little hands to me, and I understood that I was to take Him in my arms. Jesus pressed His head against my heart and gave me to know, by His profound gaze, how good He found it to be next to my heart." Diary of Saint Faustina, 1442
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:5
The story of Christmas draws us toward complete trust in God. This Christmas season, let us carry Saint Faustina’s vision of the baby Jesus in our hearts. Let us be inspired by God’s message of hope in the story of Christmas. Let us gaze upon the baby Jesus stretching out His little hands to touch us with His love and peace. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let us embrace the baby Jesus and hold His love and peace in our hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment