BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL FROM OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH!!!!

 

 

There is always one bright thought in our minds when all the rest is dark.  There is one thought out of which a moderately cheerful man can always make some satisfactory sunshine, if not a  sufficiency of it.  It is the thought of a bright, populous heaven.  There is joy there !!

 Virgin of all virgins!

To thy shelter take us;

Gentlest of the gentle!

Chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,

Help our weak endeavor,

Till with thee and Jesus

We rejoice forever.

 The strict moral code of Christianity, the commandments of self-conquest, abstinence, mortification, and moderation are not inimical to joy any more than the gardener is inimical to the rose-bush, when he prunes it in the spring and in the autumn.

Bishop von Keppler

 

 It is a proof of profound wisdom on the part of the Church not to introduce us at once to the crib of Bethlehem, but to point it out to us as it were with her finger a month in advance, that she may say to us: "Be prepared to meet thy God."   Amos 4:12.

Prepare for Him in your hearts by meditation to have a more lively faith in His greatness; a more profound devotion for the abasement of His majesty; a grateful love for His charity, which has descended so low from so great a height; a true humility, in order to honor Him in His low estate; a gentleness in character and in speech in harmony with His incomparable benignity; a spirit of penitence and recollection which will not form a contrast to the austerity of the crib and the holy occupation of the divine Child.

Hamon-Meditations

 

This sounds like Bishop Giles wrote it - even though it was probably written many years ago.  It ties in with the Sunday Sermon from the First Sunday in Advent:

The holy season of Advent on which we have entered is intended on the part of the Church to make us meditate on the three great advents of the Saviour upon earth:  The first is the humility of the crib in order to save us; the second in the splendor of His glory at the last day in order to judge us; the third in the secret of our hearts by His grace in order to sanctify us.  
We will make the resolution:  first, to enter upon a new life of recollection and prayer suitable to the season of Advent;  secondly, to take particular care with regard to the perfection of every one of our ordinary actions which will be the best manner of sanctifying this holy season.  Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of St. Paul:  "Behold now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation.:  2 Cor. 6:2 

Hamon "Meditations"