Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/92



I. "  In  those  days  there  went  out  a  decree  from  Caesar Augustus,  that  the  whole  world  should  be  enrolled. " (Luke ii.  i.)  The  disposition  of  divine  Providence  was most wonderful. Christ might  have  been  born  where, and when,  and  in  whatever  circumstances  He  pleased,  but He refused  every  convenience  for  Himself,  in  order  to teach  us  that  the  spirit  of  poverty  was  His  favorite  virtue. He was  born  in  the  middle  of  winter,  when  His parents, in  consequence  of  Caesar's  edict,  were  far  from Nazareth, in  order  that  He  night  deprive  Himself  of those  small  conveniences  which  their  house  might  afford Him. " Oh  the  depth  of  the  riches,  of  the  wisdom, and  of  the  knowledge  of  God!" (Rom. xi.  33.)  Reflect upon this,  you  who  are  constantly  employed  in  seeking your own  ease  and  conveniences,  and  learn  what  ought to be  your  practice. Speaking upon  this,  St.  Bernard observes: "  Either  God  is  deceived  or  the  world  is  in  an error,"  because  their  manners  of  acting  are  diametrically opposite. Examine which  it  is  better  to  follow.

II. St. Joseph  and  the  Virgin  obeyed  the  edict,  though the motive  of  the  Emperor  was  not  the  best,  and  though their obedience  was  attended  with  inconvenience. View the holy  travellers:  they  present  an  object  worthy  of  the divine approbation  and  of  the  admiration  of  men,  in  consequence of  their  conformity  to  the  will  of  God,  their patience, and  their  modesty. Imagine the  divine  entertainment which  the  Virgin  received  from  her  Son;  respect the  holy  travellers,  and  venerate  that  divine  poverty which  rendered  them  so  pleasing  to  God.