Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/67

 honor both  sexes,  man  in  His  own  person,  and  woman by taking  flesh  and  blood  of  her;  secondly,  that  in  her we also  might  have  a  mother  to  plead  in  our  behalf  with her son,  who  will  be  our  Judge;  thirdly,  that  becoming Himself a  helpless  infant,  and  subject  to  His  mother,  He might  give  us  a  striking  example  of  humility  and  subjection. Reflect how  in  all  these  things,  which  were subject to  His  own  will,  He  always  chooses  the  worst and most  repugnant  to  sense. Reflect and  imitate.

II. The divine  Word  did  not  make  choice  of  this  individual mother  for  any  merits  of  her  own,  which  were none, but  in  order  that  she  might  have  merit. He therefore bestowed  upon  her  the  fulness  of  grace  and  the  perfection of  virtue,  in  order  that  she  might  become  worthy of the  dignity  which  was  designed  for  her. Congratulate her for  this  choice,  and  her  predestination  from all eternity. " I  was  set  up  from  all  eternity  and  of  old before  the  earth  was  made." (Prov. viii.  23.)  Offer yourself to  be  her  eternal  client,  and  earnestly  implore her assistance  and  protection.

III. The Word  incarnate  did  not  choose  for  His  mother a rich  personage  or  princess,  but  one  that  was  poor  and from the  lower  walks  of  life. Thus he  confounds  our pride and  vanity,  which  prompt  us  to  seek  after  those things which  appear  great  in  the  eyes  of  the  world. " O,  ye  sons  of  men,  how  long  will  ye  be  dull  of  heart? Why  do  ye  love  vanity  and  seek  after  lying?" (Ps. iv.  3.) Learn to  contemn  the  judgments  of  the  world,  and  to consider  those  things  only  great  which  are  so  in  the sight of  God;  and  be  convinced  that  much  worth  and virtue often  lie  concealed  under  a  poor  and  humble  appearance.