Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/100

 from the  power  and  slavery  of  the  devil,  by  bestowing upon them  every  spiritual  blessing,  which  leads  to  life everlasting. These spiritual  blessings  He  is  ready  to  bestow on  you,  whenever  your  conduct  deserves  them. Take advantage  of  them,  and  say  with  the  prophet:  "I will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  I  will  joy  in  God  my  Jesus." (Habac. iii.  18.)

II. "And this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  you:  ye  shall  find the  infant  wrapped  in  swaddling-clothes,  and  laid  in  a manger." (Luke ii.  12.)  What  are  the  signs  by  which this Messias,  this  Lord  and  Saviour  of  the  world,  is  to  be found? "Infancy, swaddling-clothes,  and  a  manger." Who would  not  have  expected  to  hear  of  a  royal  personage, of  thrones  and  princely  robes? Examine if  you  can find corresponding  signs  of  poverty  and  humility  in  your heart. Hence you  may  discover  whether  or  not  Christ be spiritually  born  in  your  soul.

III. " And  suddenly  there  was  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly hosts  praising  God,  and  saying,  Glory  to  God  in the  highest." (Luke ii.  13.)  Listen  to  the  celestial  harmony; and  let  your  actions  agree  with  the  sentiment that prompted  it. Let the  nativity  of  Christ  be  a  cause of your  glorifying  God  in  all  things. The angel  sang also, "  On  earth  peace  to  men  of  good  will." Learn from this,  that  both  interior  and  exterior  peace,  both with God,  our  neighbors,  and  ourselves,  is  one  of  the peculiar benefits  of  the  incarnation  of  Christ. " In  His days  shall  justice  spring  up,  and  abundance  of  peace, till  the  moon  be  taken  away." (Ps. lxxi.  7.)  Remember, however,  that  this  peace  can  never  exist,  except  with "men of  good  will;  for  there  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked, saith  the  Lord." (Is. xlviii.  22.)