THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Lk 2, 1-20
Chapter 2 of St. Luke begins by telling us about Jesus presented to the humble shepherds and chapter 2 of St. Matthew begins by telling us about Jesus being found by the Three Wise Men, who represent mankind looking and finding God.
The shepherds slept outdoors and not even all night in a row because they took care of the sheep. God the Father chose these humble and self-sacrificing people to call them to see His Son. God the Father gave us what He loved most: His most adorable Son; " this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, ..." To us, to men, he was born… purity, Love, wisdom in Person...! God loves us so much that He gave us His Son, St. John the Apostle tells us.
The heavenly army praised God and said: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of divine pleasure." Peace is for men who please God, who strive to be pure and holy. Meditate about that.
The shepherds left everything to go to see the Child, just as the Magi also left the comfort of their homes to make a long journey and see the King of the Jews who had been announced by His star (and they arrived a little more than 40 days after the Nativity, when the Holy Family was already in a house). And the shepherds "turned to glorify and praise God," because they believed what had been preached to them, because they saw that everything was as it has been announced to them, they believed that Jesus is the Messiah.
Let us make the resolution, and fulfill it, to be more spiritual and less material. To no longer follow fashions and to live as Our Lady of the Roses commands: a daily prayer vigil, the recitation of the Holy Rosary daily, reading the Bible for at least 15 minutes a day (with 20 min. partial indulgences are earned) and meditating on God the Father for an hour daily (over time the effects this has on our soul is wonderful)... to be of those whom Heaven chooses to share their gifts.