sakes; that through His poverty you might be rich." (2 Cor. viii. 9.) Seek, then, for these divine riches, by imitating the poverty of the Redeemer.
III. Consider the incomparable example of humility, which is exhibited in this mystery. He was the God of heaven and earth, and equal to His Father; yet He humbled Himself to the despicable condition of a slave, "despised, and the most abject of men," (Is. liii. 3.) He reduced Himself to this degradation, to teach you the real value of earthly honor, and the esteem of men, of which you are so pitifully fond. Be confounded at your conduct, by comparing it with the example which the divine Infant gave in His nativity.
DECEMBER 29.
The Message to the Shepherds.
I. After the Divine Son had humbled Himself so low. His heavenly Father had decreed that He should be honored, and that His nativity should be made known to the shepherds by the message of angels; because " he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. " (Luke xiv. 11.) Ponder deeply the words of the Evangelist, " And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them; and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear." (Luke ii. 8.)
II. Christ did not wish to be made known to the wise men around Bethlehem, because they were proud; nor to the rich, because they were covetous; nor to the noble, because they were addicted to worldly pleasures; but to simple shepherds, that is, to men who were poor, humble, laborious, vigilant, and attentive to their duty.
