Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/76

 Divine pleasure. "Be it  done  to  me  according  to  Thy word." (Luke i.  38.)  Conceive  how  agreeable  this  answer was  to  God,  to  angels,  and  to  men. Imitate her resignation, and  the  resignation  of  her  divine  son,  who afterwards prayed,  "  Not  as  I  will,  but  as  Thou  wilt." (Matt. xxvi.  39  )  The  angel  had  fulfilled  his  commission, the holy  Trinity  was  rejoiced,  and  the  Virgin  arrested the attention  of  God. of angels,  and  of  man. Let your conduct prove  that  she  has  gained  some  of  your  attention.

I. After  the  Virgin's  consent,  the  eternal  Word,  "as  a bridegroom  coming  out  of  his  bride-chamber,"  to  celebrate his  nuptials  with  human  nature,  "rejoiced  as  a giant  to  run  the  way"  (Ps.  xviii.  6),  to  unite  Himself  to the  weakness  of  human  nature,  and  to  commence  the work of  our  redemption. He took  flesh  of  the  Virgin Mary; to  this  He  united  a  rational  soul,  and  He  communicated His  divinity  to  both. Thus, "the  Word  was made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us." (John i.  14.)  Conceive what  joy  the  angels  in  heaven  felt,  and  the  Saints in limbo,  at  the  accomplishment  of  this  salutary  mystery.

II. Consider what  kind  of  a  body  the  eternal  Word  assumed in  the  Virgin's  womb. He might  have  assumed  a body  immortal  and  glorious  (for  this  was  His  due);  but He preferred  to  take  to  Himself  the  mortal  flesh  of  a  helpless infant. 1. In  order  that  He  might  "in  all  things  be made  like  to  His  brethren." (Heb. ii.  17.)  2. In order to induce  us  to  love  Him  more  tenderly. 3. To  remove  all fear from  us,  and  to  inspire  us  with  confidence. 4. To give  us  an  example  of  humility,  patience  and  mortifica-