Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/447

 and laid  Him  in  a manger,  because  there  was  no  room  for  them in the  inn.”

Divine Providence.  The  Prophet  Micheas  (Old  Test.  LXX)  had foretold that  the  Saviour  would  be  born  at  Bethlehem. But how  was it likely  that  this  prophecy  would  be  fulfilled,  seeing  that  she  who  was chosen to  be  the  Mother  of  the  Divine  Saviour  dwelt  at  Nazareth? The Providence  of  God  directed  that  the  pagan  emperor  of  Rome should order  all  his  subjects  to  be  enrolled,  and  that  this  decree  should be  executed  in Judaea  at  the very time  when the Birth  of  the Redeemer was at hand. Obedient to authority, Mary  and Joseph journeyed to  Bethlehem to  inscribe their  names in  the  city from which  originated their royal race,  and thus, unwittingly, the  Roman emperor was made to  take a part in  the fulfilment of  the  prophecy  that  the  Redeemer  would  be  born  in Bethlehem,  the  city  of  David.



The Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ. Jesus  Christ  is  true  Man,  born  of the  Virgin  Mary,  the  child  of  Mary,  the  son  or  descendant  of  David. But He  is  also  true  God,  the  Son  of  the  Highest,  as  was  announced to the  Blessed  Virgin  by  the  angel. He shows  Himself  to  our  sight  as Man,  for  in  the  crib  we  can  see  nothing  but  a little  child. But He reveals  Himself  as  God  to  our  hearing,  for  His  angels  come  and  announce that this  little  Child  in  the  crib  is  the  Saviour,  Christ  the  Lord  Himself. Therefore let  us  fall  on  our  knees  before  the  crib,  and  adore