Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/73

 in an  eminent  degree  over  every  other  creature,  in  such a, manner  that  the  words  spoken  of  queen  Esther  may  be applied  to  her :  "  And  the  King  loved  her  more  than  all the  women,  and  she  had  favor  and  kindness  before  him above  all  the  women." (Esth. ii.  17.)

II. Consider the  substance  of  the  message  which  the angel bore:  "  Thou  shalt  bring  forth  a  son,  and  thou shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,"  that  is,  Saviour. " He  shall be  great,"  by  nature,  since  He  is  God;  by  His  office,  for He is  the  mediator  between  God  and  man;  in  consequence of  His  perfections,  "for  in  Him  dwelleth  all  the fulness  of  the  Godhead,  corporally." (Coloss. ii.  9.) "He shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Most  High,"  not  by adoption,  as  are  all  the  just,  but  by  nature. "And the Lord  God  shall  give  unto  Him  the  throne  of  David,  His father,"  but  in  a  far  more  eminent  degree. "And He shall  reign  in  the  house  of  Jacob  forever,"  that  is  in  the church of  the  faithful. (Luke i.  32.)  Rejoice  at  these glorious prerogatives  of  your  Saviour,  and  congratulate the mother  on  the  greatness  of  the  son.

III. Consider with  St.  Bernard,  these  words:  "He shall  reign  in  the  house  of  Jacob  forever." Learn to imitate  the  conduct  of  Jacob,  and  expel  the  influence  of the  devil  from  your  soul. Struggle with  your  vicious inclinations and  propensities. "Let not  sin  reign  in your  mortal  body"  (Rom.  vi.  12),  but  let  Jesus  Christ reign in  your  soul  forever. Say with  St.  Bernard,  "I have  no  other  king  but  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ."

I. "  How  shall  this  be  done,  because  I  know  not  man?" (Luke i.  34.)    The  blessed  Virgin,  who  had  hitherto  been