The Little Book of the Most Holy Child Jesus/Meditation II
MEDITATION II.
THE SHEPHERDS.
Grace to ask for: Holy simplicity, singleness of heart.
See those good shepherds on the mountain side.
How watchfully they guard their flocks through the long drear night!
It is to keep away the robber and the wolf from their sheep that they are thus wakeful.
They are men of good-will; their hearts are brave and pure. They are true and single-hearted men.
With care far tenderer than their own does the great God look down upon them.
Over their little fire of sticks they sing to their pipes of reed the songs of David, the shepherd-king, who slew the lion and the bear and the tall giant of Gath:
'The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall lack nothing.'
'The Shepherd of Israel' 'slumbers not, nor sleeps.'
The sound floats on the sharp midnight air; the watch-fire flickers, and casts long shadows out into the gloom.
In a moment a bright light flashes around them—a brightness from God.
And the Angel of God stands by them.
So sudden, so strange a sight upon this dark earth, no wonder that these simple men tremble with dread.
'Fear not; I bring you the good news— the news of great joy which will be for you and for all people.
'For this night is born for you, in the city of David, the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. This shall be a token: you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
'And suddenly with the Angel appears a multitude of angels, praising God and saying:
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good-will.'
The shepherds stay not, nor linger with their flocks.
They hasten to the stable, and there they behold Mary, and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
Happy shepherds, pure hearts, simple souls; after Mary and Joseph the first of earth to worship the new-born King. To please God in all their ways was the one aim of these holy men, these shepherds of Judea.
Their eyes gazed upon Jesus their Saviour, and now they dwell in His joy.
I, too, will be simple in heart, and in all things try to please Thee alone. For this, dear Jesus, give me Thy holy grace.
Mary, pray for me, that I may have a heart of good will, that I may be pure and simple like the first worshippers of the Holy Child.
Joseph, to whose tender care the Good Shepherd gave Himself, take care of me; pray for me to thy Foster-Son, that I may belong to the Holy Family now, at my death, and for evermore.
Most Holy Child Jesus, save Thy children.