Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/419

 Fall, a large  portion  of  the  pagan  world  had  begun  to  long  for  the Saviour who  was  expected  in  Judaea.

Now, “when  the  fulness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  His  Son  that we might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons”  (Gal.  4,  4). “The Word  was made flesh  and  dwelt  among  us,  and  we  saw  His  glory,  the  glory  as it  were  of  the  Only-Begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth” (John 1,  14).

The signification  of  Advent. This  season  ought  to  make  us  think of the  sad  condition  of  the  world  before  our  Lord’s  Incarnation,  and prepare ourselves,  by  penance  and  a longing  desire,  for  the  Birth  of Christ  in  our  hearts.

The two  natures  of  the  Redeemer. The  passage:  “Drop  down dew, ye  heavens,  from  above,  and  let  the  clouds  rain  the  Just;  let  the earth be  opened,  and  bud  forth  a Saviour”,  which  occurs  in  Isaias  45,  8, clearly foretells  the  twofold  nature  of  God  made  Man. The Divine nature is  signified  by  the  prophecy  that  the  Saviour  shall  come  down from heaven  (in  another  passage  Isaias  cries  out: “O  that  Thou  wouldst rend  the  heavens,  and  wouldst  come  down!”);  and  His  Human  nature is shown  by  the  prophecy  that  the  earth  shall  bring  Him  forth. As God, Jesus  Christ  came  down  from  heaven,  and  took  His  Human  nature on earth  in  the  womb  of  the  Immaculate  Virgin  Mary. Heaven and earth worked  together  to  bring  forth  the  God  made  Man,  through whom earth  has  been  reconciled  to  heaven.

Have you  a great  desire  for  the  truth  which has been  revealed  to  us  through  Jesus  Christ? Do you  take  great pains to  learn  all  you  can  about  the  true  doctrines  of  Christianity? Do you  take  pleasure  in  your  religious  instruction?

Have you  a desire  that  Jesus  Christ  should  come  and  reign in your  heart  and  dwell  therein;  or  do  you  look  forward  to  the hour of  your  first  Communion  for  any  less  worthy  reasons? When you are  hearing  Mass,  make  a spiritual  Communion,  and  excite in yourself  a longing  desire  to  receive  your  Divine  Saviour. Be sorry for  your  sins,  and  pray  our  Lord  to  come  and  dwell  spiritually in  your  heart!