creatures, wast pleased to be born under the most lowly roof, to be wrapped in the meanest swaddling-bands, and to hi laid in a vile manger, amongst beasts, and to suffer a thousand evils. O grant that we also may renounce all worldly vanities, and embrace poverty of spirit, and mortification of the flesh, so necessary for our perfection. Grant that we may be thoroughly detached from creatures, and poor in all things save in Thy love and Thy grace. Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.
8. O divine Saviour, O King of peace, Who wast pleased to make Thy appearance amongst us when the whole world was in peace; vouchsafe to send us Thy peace, so that all our powers being brought into subjection to Thee, Thou mayest at the approaching solemnity be born anew in our souls.
Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.
9. O divine Saviour, O King of immortal glory, Who, in Thy great mercy, didst come into the world to redeem us and to make us holy; grant that, denying all ungodliness and love of this world, we may live soberly in ourselves, justly toward our neighbor, and piously before Thee, that, so we may be happy with Thee for all eternity.
Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.
PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS.
COME to me, O Divine Saviour! vouchsafe to be born in my heart; grant that, taught by Thine example, and assisted by Thy grace, I may be poor in spirit and humble of heart. Keep me chaste and obedient. I wish to live but for Thee, and to do all things purely for love of Thee.
O my Jesus, my supreme and true Good! what can have attracted Thee from heaven to be born in a cave, if it be not the love that Thou bearest to man? What has drawn Thee from the bosom of Thy Father to lay Thyself down in a manger? What has brought Thee down from Thy throne above the stars, to stretch Thyself on a little straw? What, from the midst of the nine choirs of angels, has placed Thee between two animals? Thou dost inflame the seraphim with holy fire, and lo, Thou art trembling with cold in this stable! Thou dost give motion to the heavens and the sun, and now Thou canst not move without being carried in some one's arms! Thou dost provide both man and beast with food, and dost Thou now require a little milk to sustain Thy life! Thou art the delight of heaven,
